The Straits Times, p B17 (Sep 27)
Lianhe Zaobao (Sep 27)
Channel NewsAsia (Sep 26)
The Business Times (Sep 26)
Berita Harian (Sep 27)
my paper, A17 (Sep 27)
RIA Oreanda-News (Sep 27)
JIJI News Bulletin Singapore (Sep 27)
Singapore, 26 September 2011 – Singapore Management University (SMU) and the Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO have inked today a memorandum of understanding to establish the Centre for Emerging Markets to be located at SMU. Under this partnership, the Centre for Emerging Markets will collaborate in research, academic and business outreach programmes focusing on the top growth areas in the world economy.
SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer said, “We are glad to have a strong partner in the Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO. This strategic partnership will draw on the complementary strengths and inter-disciplinary expertise from SMU's Schools of Business, Economics and Social Sciences, the other parts of the university, and the global network of business-school SKOLKOVO, which includes the SKOLKOVO Institute for Emerging Markets based in Beijing. The collaboration will provide intellectual foundation for businesses and best practices for management in emerging markets worldwide”.
“The collaboration which will spearhead cooperation in research, academic and business outreach programmes will help SKOLKOVO to have a regional hub for the Southeast Asia research on emerging markets . Leveraging on the existing suite of programmes of business-school SKOLKOVO and SMU as well as their large global network of partners, the Centre will carry out research and develop solutions in areas related to emerging markets studies. It will develop case studies and provide business analytics supported by consumer, citizen and social research. Ultimately it will help to develop business models for companies attempting to operate in these emerging markets”, commented Ruben Vardanian, Founding Partner of the Moscow School of Management.
“This Centre is being set up at the time when emerging markets are gearing up to become real players in the global economy”, said Ambassador Michael Tay, Founding Director of the new Centre and the Executive Director of the Russia-Singapore Business Forum. “Tomorrow's companies are looking at these new engines of growth to drive their business and hence, learning to unlock their potential today is crucial to developing a first-mover's advantage in these markets. Typically, emerging markets are almost by definition, difficult to understand and to penetrate. I would like the Centre to provide the intellectual foundation to support our companies' outreach to these economies. To me having this strategic partnership between business-school S KOLKOVO in Russia and SMU in Singapore creates a strong backbone for this venture”.
This collaboration was initiated in September 2010 during a meeting between SMU Chairman Mr Ho Kwon Ping (also Chairman of Banyan Tree Holdings Limited) and SKOLKOVO business-school's Founding Partner Ruben Vardanian at the Russia-Singapore Business Forum.
“It is one of the RSBF's success stories, and my vision is for the Centre to provide the intellectual ballast to the work of the RSBF. This partnership between two prestigious institutions will not only bring Singapore closer to Russia, but it can be a magnet for other institutions to explore opportunities for greater collaboration,” said Ambassador Tay.
The Centre will focus on research and academic cooperation as well as business and student outreach programmes. Besides being an academic research hub, the Centre will be an interactive business collaboration centre where managers and company owners can come together to explore scenarios for expanding into emerging markets in Asia and globally. The Centre will also serve government and commercial organisations via the executive education and public management training programmes based on Singapore solutions and other best practices in the world.
Strategically located in Singapore, a country recognised for its leading public service and business-friendly environment, the Centre is well-positioned to be a regional hub for the Southeast Asia research on emerging markets.
Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO is a joint project of Russian and international business representatives, who joined their efforts to create a business new-generation school from scratch. Focusing on practical knowledge, the Moscow School of Management dedicates itself to training leaders, who intend to implement their professional knowledge in the conditions of rapidly developing markets. SKOLKOVO is defined by: leadership and business undertakings, rapidly developing markets focus, innovative approach towards educational methods.
The Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO project is fulfilled by the governmental-private partnership within the framework of the Education Foreground National Project. The project is financed by private investors, and doesn't use governmental budget recourses. The President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev is Chairman of the SKOLKOVO International Advisory Board.
Since 2006 SKOLKOVO conducts short educational Executive Education programmes for top and medium-level managers – open programmes and specialized, integrated modules based on the companies requests. SKOLKOVO launched Executive MBA programme in January 2009, first class of the international Full-time MBA programme – in September 2009.