SMU’s ongoing initiatives to build strong bonds with key institutions in India achieved significant results on 5 April 2013 when the University organised a fruitful gathering of minds and signed an important Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Management Rohtak (IIM Rohtak) in Singapore.

IIM Directors and Alumni Roundtable

SMU organised the Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) Directors and Alumni Roundtable on “Exploring New Areas of Excellence in Higher Education” which also examined the role of the institutes of higher learning (IHLs) in harnessing these areas. At the same time, it discussed possible partnerships and collaborations between the IHLs in Singapore and India in these new frontiers.

The event was held in conjunction with IIMPact 2013. The Singapore Chapters of the IIM Alumni Associations instituted the IIMPact Singapore Signature Series of business events in 2005 to commemorate the long and successful association between the IIM Alumni and Singapore and to highlight the contributions of Singapore-based IIM alumni.

During the lively and engaging roundtable at SMU, the participants shared their views on the key challenges facing the Asian academic fraternity. These included the importance of internationalisation, ensuring life-long learning, enhancing the role of research, understanding the limitations to growth, and translating research in science into innovation. They also agreed that it was opportune for academic institutions in Asia to collaborate in both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, given Asia’s rapid emergence on the global scene. Some of the possible areas included joint programmes in innovation and entrepreneurship, joint research and faculty development, enhancing industry relations, and joint content development.

Held exclusively for the directors and alumni of the IIMs, key representatives of Singapore’s IHLs and Singapore government agencies, and global business leaders, the half-day event ended with a networking lunch amongst the participants of the roundtable, SMU faculty and invited guests.

[Photo: The Indian Institutes of Management Directors and Alumni Roundtable on “Exploring New Areas of Excellence in Higher Education”.]

MoU Signing with IIM Rohtak

At the end of the roundtable, SMU formalised an MoU with IIM Rohtak. SMU’s Deputy President and Provost, Professor Rajendra K Srivastava, and IIM Rohtak’s Director, Professor R Rameshan, signed the agreement which was witnessed by SMU’s President, Professor Arnoud De Meyer.

SMU and IIM Rohtak will work together in achieving the academic and organisational goals of the two institutions. In this regard, they will promote academic exchanges and co-operation in such areas as exchange of faculty members, invitations for visiting faculty and scholars, joint conferences, faculty research workshops and symposiums, as well as exchange of students. At the same time, they will offer specially designed programmes of study and activities in various areas, including executive education, workshops, conferences and case initiatives. They will also encourage cultural exchanges between their two institutions. Equally importantly, SMU and IIM Rohtak will identify and align existing centres or departments or other arms at each institution which share common interests or areas of excellence so as to help advance Indo-Singapore academics and businesses under the collaborative umbrella contemplated under the agreement.

The MOU with IIM Rohtak is the sixth agreement signed by SMU with an Indian partner in less than a year.

[Featured photo: Professor Rajendra K Srivastava (R), and Professor R Rameshan (Centre), exchange signed MOUs, witnessed by Professor Arnoud De Meyer (L).]