Some 560 students in the Singapore Management University's Class of 2008 have raised S$30,000 for a new scholarship. They make up 48 per cent of the nearly 1,200 students of that year. The Graduating Class of 2008 Scholarship funds three awards - each worth S$10,000, in the 2008-2009 academic year.

Second-year Business Management student Miss Serene Tan (陈燕宁), third-year Economics student Miss Susanti and fourth-year Business Management and Economics student Miss Ang Chui Khim (洪翠琴) are the recipients of the new scholarship. It aims to provide deserving students with an opportunity to have a quality education while being fully engaged in the SMU community through co-curricular activities and community involvement. The scholarship recognises qualities – resourcefulness, a sense of adventure and a passion for the community, which distinguish SMU graduates from others.

Initiated by the pioneer batch in 2004, students upon graduation have been giving back to their alma mater in an annual programme called the Senior Class Gift. Together, the Pioneer Class of 2004, Class of 2005, 2006 and 2007 have reached the endowed target of S$200,000 for the Alumni Scholarship Fund. Since 2008, this Fund allows SMU to award a scholarship worth S$6,000 to an outstanding and deserving SMU student every year, in perpetuity. The Graduating Class of 2008 Scholarship is a new addition through which more worthy students will benefit from the SMU experience their seniors enjoyed.

Class Gifts aside, the alumni, existing students and their families have given substantial independent gifts going towards scholarships and awards. In 2008, an anonymous SMU Business Management graduate from the Class of 2007 pledged S$10,000 a year to set up the Krishna Exchange Scholarship to enable two students each year to go on overseas exchange programmes. SMU undergraduates Mr Koh Seng Leong (许圣隆) and Mr Renfred Tay Woon Chuan (郑稳铨) each gave S$5,000 to establish the SMU Sports Scholarship in 2007 to recognise the achievements of an outstanding sportsman. It made history as the first scholarship set up in a local university by its current students to help future student cohorts. The award is worth S$2,000.

Student groups too have come onboard to help their fellow schoolmates. The Business Committee of the SMU Students' Association, BIZCOM, raised funds through its business ventures on campus such as managing student events. Since it was established in late 2007, each year two students who pursue a holistic education will benefit from the SMUSA-BIZCOM CCA Scholarship worth S$2,500 each. Another group, the SMU Ambassadors - the external relations representatives of the school, has also set up the SMU Ambassadors Textbook Fund with its S$3,000 profits from the sale of over 1,000 SMU Hoodies. Togged out in the latest fashion statement on campus, students had wanted to instill in fellow schoolmates their role as the School's ambassadors while pursuing a worthy cause. Each year, the Fund grants two students S$500 each from for their passion in promoting the SMU name, brand and culture.

With an array of awards, today, 1 in 7 of the more than 6,000 SMU undergraduates is a scholarship recipient. SMU Chairman, Mr Ho Kwon Ping says, “Our aim to build a closely-knit community has borne fruit. SMU students and alumni do not hesitate to give back in the form of time, money and efforts to assist their fellow students.” He adds, “Our students and graduates have certainly made a difference.”

This year's scholars and students who have made significant contributions beyond the realm of academic studies are honoured today at the 9th Patron's Day celebrations at SMU's Bras Basah city campus. The annual Patron's Day marks the founding of the university. It is also a day when the university's Board of Trustees, management, faculty, staff and students gather to celebrate the year's achievements.

Gracing the occasion is His Excellency, President S R Nathan, who is also the Patron of SMU. President Nathan, together with SMU Pro-Chancellor, Mr Yong Pung How, joins students and staff in an afternoon of carnival games and activities, including sounding the air-horn for the annual Tug-of-War competition. This year, students are also attempting to break a Singapore record by packing in as many individuals as they can into a car. The day's festivities are capped by a rock concert on the Campus Green.