Transformative Education

SMU’s Industry Project-Based Experiential Learning (INDEX) programme, also referred to as SMU-X, won Gold and Silver at the prestigious international awards.

From August to November 2023, SMU Libraries hosted artist Priyageetha Dia in its inaugural Artist-in-Residence (AiR) programme. She worked on research concerning the communist insurgency during the Malayan Emergency and the role of rubber plantations in the Cold War that was concurrently developing at about the same time.  “This area of study is not only historically rich but also complex, requiring a deep dive into various aspects of political, social, and economic narratives of that era,” she explains.

Active teaching and learning are an important part of nurturing 21st century skillsets that are aligned with evolving industry demands. It is with this belief in mind that SMU organised its inaugural INDEX Symposium.

Over 400 athletes from Singapore competed in the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou in China. Running from 23 September to 8 October 2023, it featured Singapore’s largest delegation yet – 160 athletes more than represented our country at the 2018 Asian Games five years ago.

SMU President’s State of the University Address 2023 touched on significant developments, strategic priorities, as well as future endeavours. It took a new and engaging format in embracing SMU’s people-centric thrust: faculty, staff and students shared their experiences and achievements through a series of videos that formed Prof Kong's compelling narrative.  

A vibrant arts scene has always been an indispensable part of SMU life, and this year’s SMU Arts Festival was no different. Themed “POST”, the festival explored the multifaceted meaning of the theme as student artistes delved into the complexities of post-modernity, post-truth, and other “post” concepts.

The opening of SMU’s 2023 Academic Year was marked with an exciting freshmen orientation, a mega Co-curricular Activities (CCA) Fair and a special opening celebration dinner. The Opening welcomed the 24th cohort of about 2,500 freshmen, who began their first Academic Year at SMU on Monday 14 August 2023.

Graduation is a celebration of our students’ hard work and achievements – an important period of their lives draws to a close as they stand on the cusp of the next phase of their journey through life. This is why SMU calls this a “commencement”, to signpost it as the beginning of a new journey ahead. Over five days in late July, the 3,737-strong Class of 2023 celebrated the successful completion of their education journey at SMU.

SMU President Professor Lily Kong at the Times Higher Education Asia Universities Summit.

Inaugural Singapore Rising Scholars Conference held on 5 May 2023.