Reorganisation of the School of Economics & Social Sciences

Two separate schools - School of Economics and School of Social Sciences - will facilitate the study of economics and social sciences with greater focus and depth

Singapore, 9 April 2007 - The School of Economics & Social Sciences (SESS) at the Singapore Management University will be reorganised into two separate schools – the School of Economics and the School of Social Sciences. The restructuring will allow both schools, which have been rapidly growing in student enrolment and faculty numbers, to have greater focus on their individual strengths and develop distinctive curricula at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Established in 2002, the five-year-old School of Economics & Social Sciences has been at the forefront in introducing a holistic, multidisciplinary and integrated approach to the study of economics and social sciences. Today, the school has 560 economics undergraduates and 300 social sciences undergraduates. Professor of Economics and Statistics Roberto S Mariano, current Dean of SESS, will assume the position of Dean of the School of Economics. He is also concurrently Vice Provost (Research) of SMU. Professor of Psychology David Chan (???) will be appointed Interim Dean of the School of Social Sciences. [Click here to view their profiles]

The School of Economics offers the Bachelor of Science (Economics), a four-year course modelled after the best of undergraduate economics programmes in top American universities. Tapping on the broad-based education in SMU, the economics programme offers the opportunity for double degrees with a second degree in business management, law, accountancy, social sciences or information systems management. It also allows students the attractive combination of a double major in Economics and Finance for students targeting a career in the financial sector. The study of economics within the context of a management university provides synergies with real world business applications and direct financial sector relevance. The School of Economics will launch new specializations in Business Statistics, Actuarial Science and other areas. Outstanding undergraduates can also study an area of economics more deeply and meaningfully through a Senior Thesis Seminar course where they undertake directed research in close consultation with a faculty on a topic of interest. The pioneer batch of economics graduates has secured positions in top US investment banks, fund management companies and consulting firms.

The School of Social Sciences offers the Bachelor of Social Science, the first broad-based multidisciplinary social sciences undergraduate programme to be introduced in Singapore and adapted from the prestigious “Philosophy, Politics and Economics” programme at the University of Pennsylvania and Oxford University. The study of social sciences with a focus on business and economics applications in the Asian marketplace as well as the multidisciplinary and integrative approach in examining issues are distinctive features of the programme. Comprising a combination of coursework and opportunities for empirical research through a Senior Thesis or Independent Study Project supervised by faculty, the programme allows students to major in the main disciplines of Psychology, Sociology and Political Science, and the option of a second major or a second degree from other schools. The School of Social Sciences has recently launched two new multidisciplinary tracks of study to run parallel with the majors – the Public Policy, Development & Management track and the Culture, Organisations & Behaviour track – which prepare students for careers in public policy, human resources, management and consulting in government and business organizations. A new SMU Social Sciences Capstone Seminar Series was launched recently to promote cross-disciplinary dialogue, scholarly interaction and research. In addition to promoting a multidisciplinary approach, the School of Social Sciences will continue to complement numerous areas of concentration within the Lee Kong Chian School of Business and other schools. In particular, the school will play a substantial role in the teaching of non-law courses integral to the new law curriculum in SMU.

“This is a timely reorganisation that recognises the rapid growth and development of SMU. The realignment will provide greater autonomy and room for growth for the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes of both schools. The new arrangement will optimise the talents of two exemplary scholars and academic leaders – Professor Mariano and Professor Chan. Going forward, we can expect to see two very fine schools emerging, both with enlarged capabilities to deliver cutting-edge teaching and research,” said Professor Howard Hunter, President, Singapore Management University.

“With the restructuring, the School of Economics will be the second largest of SMU's schools after the Lee Kong Chian School of Business. I look forward to taking leadership of the new school and bringing the study of economics in SMU to even greater heights. The new focus will accelerate our efforts to establish SMU as a premier university with a world-class centre of research and teaching in economics, with broad-based programmes that equip students with understanding of modern economic theory and capacity for quantitative research and practical applications in the global economy,” said Professor Roberto S Mariano, Vice Provost (Research) and Dean, School of Economics, Singapore Management University.

“In Singapore's thrust to becoming a knowledge-based economy and a global hub in various fields, a multidisciplinary and integrative education in the social sciences will be critical to developing broad-based graduates who are well equipped to understand and even generate cutting-edge research with global impact. Employers have recognized that social science graduates with innovative, analytical and critical thinking skills that go beyond the narrow confines of specific disciplines are major assets in strategic business and organisational management. The new School of Social Sciences will continue to chart this direction in bringing together the various social sciences perspectives to better understand the dynamics and effectively handle the multifaceted issues of today's business, economic and socio-political environment, both locally and globally,” said Professor David Chan, Interim Dean, School of Social Sciences, Singapore Management University.