Affordable consulting services for SMEs

SMEs that want to grow in Singapore and overseas could tap on affordable consulting services and business expertise from SMU students, through the new Asian Enterprise Institute set up by SMU and UOB. The Institute, officially launched yesterday, currently has funding of $10 million, contributed by UOB and its business and corporate customers, as well as a matching grant from MOE. SMU President Arnoud De Meyer called it a win-win for both SMEs and students, who can benefit from the exposure. While affordability is its main draw, Institute Director and SMU Senior Finance Lecturer Ang Ser-Keng stressed that quality is not compromised. "For every project, our students are selected by virtue of their proposals. We also have a panel of about 15 advisers, all business sector veterans, and one advisor will be attached to every project to make sure the student recommendations are practical and actionable."