In a further enhancement to its innovative undergraduate programmes, SMU will offer a pioneering dual degree programme jointly with SUTD. This will give both SMU and SUTD students the option to pursue degrees in both engineering and management concurrently.

The SUTD-SMU collaboration represents the first time two local universities have teamed up to offer joint degrees. “This initiative shows that universities do compete – we compete for talent, for faculty, the best students – but we can also work together, to complement each other’s strengths to enhance the learning experience of our students,” said SMU President Arnoud De Meyer at the launch on 25 February 2014.

The four-year course will start in May 2014 and will offer places for up to 45 students. To attract top-grade applicants, scholarships will be offered to deserving Singaporean students to cover full tuition fees, including allowances for overseas internship, community service, and more.

Undergraduates will attend classes at both campuses and be taught by faculty members of both universities, thus benefitting from a uniquely integrated and interdisciplinary learning experience. They will also be able to participate fully in student life in both universities.

Students will simultaneously pursue a Bachelor of Business Management from SMU and a Bachelor of Engineering from SUTD with a specialisation in one of the three engineering pillars: Engineering Product Development, Engineering Systems and Design or Information Systems Technology and Design. The programme will include up to six courses to be co-developed by SMU and SUTD and students will have to complete 50—53 courses and fulfil the academic and non-academic requirements from SUTD and SMU. These non-academic aspects include SUTD’s Undergraduate Practice Opportunities programme (UPOP) and SMU’s Finishing Touch programme, hostel residency at SUTD in the first three terms (equivalent to one year period), 80 hours of community service, a 16-week internship, as well as overseas exchanges and a dedicated business study mission.

SUTD President, Professor Thomas Magnanti, said: "The world needs technologists who understand the world of business... and people with business fundamentals who understand technology." He added, “This innovative, intense and demanding dual degree programme provides a rare opportunity for top students. They will learn from and experience the culture and educational content of two outstanding institutions. The graduates will be equipped with a competitive edge in technology, design and business and be ready to lead in the evolving innovation economies.”

SMU President, Professor Arnoud De Meyer, added, “This group of students will receive an integrated and interdisciplinary learning experience at both SMU and SUTD concurrently, in a rigorous programme that has been specially developed by the two universities. That we will offer every single student in this dual degree programme a scholarship and a dedicated curriculum illustrate our joint commitment towards this privileged group of high-achievers. They will be a cadre of talents who will encompass the qualities of both SMU and SUTD, and who will be well positioned to be leaders in both business and technology

The new dual degree is part of the memorandum of understanding signed between SMU and SUTD in October 2011 to collaborate on education, research, and student and faculty exchanges.

[(L- R:  Professor Pey Kin Leong, Associate Provost, Education, SUTD;  Professor Chong Tow Chong, Provost, SUTD; Professor Thomas L. Magnanti, President, SUTD;  Professor Arnoud De Meyer, President, SMU; Professor Rajendra K. Srivastava, Provost and Deputy President (Academic Affairs), SMU; and Professor Francis Koh, Vice Provost (Special Projects), SMU.]

[Featured photo: SMU President Prof Arnoud De Meyer (right) with SUTD President Prof Thomas L. Magnanti (left) at the launch ceremony for the SUTD-SMU Dual Degree Programme in Technology & Management.]