As the accountancy sector seeks to diversify its talent base in order to transform the country into the region's leading accountancy hub, there has been greater debate over which are the best educational pathways for those wishing to join the profession. SMU School of Accountancy Dean, Professor Pang Yang Hoong, said that local accountancy graduates will still be the preferred choice of employers because of the three to four years of rigorous training they undergo. That said, SMU has made efforts to widen the talent pool by offering a graduate programme in accountancy that allows graduates from disciplines outside accountancy to complete a Master degree before going on to the SQP. The university is also banking on technology to enhance its teaching, as it moves beyond the traditional classroom setting and promotes the use of online learning materials, revealed Prof Pang.