Thought Leadership

SMU’s leaders and faculty members showcased the University’s multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary research, thought leadership and entrepreneurship related to cities and sustainability at the World Cities Summit in Singapore. The University also helped to organise the Science of Cities Symposium there to highlight innovation and technology's impact on building resilient, inclusive communities.

The SMU Industry Leaders Dialogue in China was themed as “Financing a Greener Future: China and Southeast Asia” and also featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between SMU and the Singapore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SingCham) in China, as well as the launch of the SMU School of Accountancy Beijing Alumni Group.

The book, Behind the Banyan: Ho Kwon Ping, which Mr Ho launched at SMU on 21 May, walks the reader through his experiences as he steered hotel chain Banyan Tree through various milestones and challenges – including the recent pandemic when it had to operate with zero occupancy at many of its properties.

The launch of the inaugural overseas edition of SMU City Dialogues took place in Bangkok on 9 May 2024, centred around the theme “Growing Asia’s Secondary Cities – Challenges and Opportunities.”

SMU President Prof Lily Kong gave the Keynote Address at the launch event for the inaugural Social Sciences and Humanities Ideas Festival. As part of the Festival, SMU’s College of Integrative Studies (CIS) organised a public lecture titled “Growing Up in an AI-Fuelled World: Reflections on Childhood Amid Digital Acceleration" helmed by SMU Vice President (Partnerships and Engagement) and Professor of Communication and Technology Lim Sun Sun.

SMU President Prof Lily Kong was one of the eminent participants in “Inspiring Inclusion in a fragmented world”, a panel discussion hosted by BlackRock Singapore in celebration of International Women’s Day 2024.

SMU celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024 with a slew of inspiring initiatives, that many women and allies in the SMU community were able to take part in and enjoy.

SMU was again partner and host of The Straits Times Education Forum, which examined the opportunities and challenges around AI, and the critical issues demanding solutions from policymakers, companies, and individuals. Moderated by SMU Professor Lim Sun Sun, it featured Mr Ben King from Google, Mr Tan Kok Yam from SkillsFuture and SMU Asst Prof Jerrold Soh.

At the 3rd annual Sustainability Week Asia, organised by Economist Impact in Bangkok, three of the panels featured SMU’s academics and experts sharing their profound perspectives while exchanging knowledge with other sustainability-minded individuals from various sectors.

Creating sustainable cities demands large initial investments, but the benefits of these sustainable cities often take many years to materialise. This challenge was the inspiration behind the theme for the SMU City Dialogue session hosted on 18 January 2024.