[8 January 2003]
Singapore Management University and Carnegie Mellon University to collaborate on development of School of Information Systems

"Through this partnership, Carnegie Mellon brings a wealth of education and research experience to Singapore in information systems, in business, and most importantly, in the integration of these two areas. Carnegie Mellon is also recognized for educational innovation and for cross-disciplinary work that spans technology, business, social sciences, psychology and the arts. This relationship greatly enhances SMU’s ability to deliver innovative educational programmes and cross-disciplinary experiences,” said Dr Steven Miller, the School's Interim Dean.

Carnegie Mellon University ranked first among computer science programs nationally in the 2002 US News and World Report Magazine survey of graduate programs. In this same survey, its e-Commerce Programme was ranked top of its kind for specialty business areas. Carnegie Mellon faculty from these and other programmes will work alongside SIS to develop the undergraduate programme's curriculum, pedagogy model, faculty resources, and organisational and technological infrastructure. Carnegie Mellon University will similarly share its expertise to plan, design and launch the research center and the master's program. Both parties hope to expand the relationship into other areas such as the facilitation of student exchange programmes, technology-related executive education programmes, conferences, seminars and symposia on topics of mutual interest.

"We are excited about the opportunity to assist in the development of the new School of Information Systems at Singapore Management University. This joint partnership builds on the strengths of both Singapore Management University and Carnegie Mellon University. The new school will be designed to help Singapore adapt to the changing world of information technology," said Dr. Mark Kamlet, Provost, Carnegie Mellon University.

SMU's fourth and newest school, the School of Information Systems specializes in innovative uses of information systems to improve business performance and create economic value. Set up in response to the changing needs of the region’s digital economy, the SIS will welcome its first students in August 2003.

SIS will have a cross-disciplinary approach, preparing sophisticated and flexible IT graduates who can interface between business and technology. These graduates are expected to secure positions such as software project managers and engineers, business systems architects and analysts, process innovation project leaders, entrepreneurs of new business services, CIOs, IT finance managers and even CFOs.

The SIS will be admitting 50-100 undergraduates in its first year of operation and by 2006 it is expected to hold a total of 550 undergraduates and postgraduate students. Admission criteria for the new school will follow the current academic and SAT requirements for SMU. As at all of SMU’s schools, students who display varied interests, excellence in other non-academic areas or have demonstrated exceptional leadership or entrepreneurial skills will also be considered by the Admissions Committee.