President Tony Tan Keng Yam said that the successful establishment of SMU holds lessons for Singapore. These include the importance of keeping an open mind and being prepared to take a fresh and even unconventional approach ? provided the groundwork is thoroughly laid down. These traits, along with strong support from the Government, paved the way for the setting up of SMU in 1998 ? a third university that broke the mould and ultimately catalysed changes in Singapore's higher education scene.
The Straits Times