[Shanghai, 9 April 2014 (Wednesday)] – The Singapore Management University (SMU) has launched its Global Forum Series in China through a forum jointly organised with Fudan University in Shanghai yesterday, and with Tsinghua University in Beijing on 11 April 2014.

The SMU Global Forum Series is a collaborative initiative between SMU and leading Chinese universities to provide a high-level dialogue platform for leaders from the business, government and academic communities to come together to discuss and debate the key challenges and opportunities arising from China’s development, as well as to share Singapore’s experiences in transforming its economy and building a harmonious society.

The SMU-Fudan Global Forum on Development and Governance (‘Forum’) focuses on the issue of governance which has grown increasingly complex as China embarks on an ambitious reform agenda under its new leadership to manage the many new challenges in its next phase of development. These challenges include urbanisation, environmental degradation, social integration, maintaining a stable financial environment and demands for greater political accountability.

Dr Liu Thai Ker, Singapore’s renowned architect, urban planner and a global thinker on issues related to urban change and development, was the Keynote Speaker at the Forum. SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer, Mr Ong Siew Gay, Singapore’s Consul-General in Shanghai, senior officials from Fudan University, and Mr Liao Min, Director-General of China Banking Regulatory Commission’s Shanghai Office, were among the dignitaries present at the Forum, which attracted about 200 business leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers and academics.

SMU President, Professor Arnoud De Meyer, said “SMU is committed to broadening and deepening our ties with China through research collaboration, exchange programmes, as well as training and development. We believe this will help contribute to knowledge creation and talent development for both Singapore and China.

“It is our hope that this Forum with Fudan University will facilitate the sharing of experiences and lessons learned by both countries in the areas of Development and Governance, germinate good ideas and offer possible solutions to the common challenges faced by both countries.”

The Forum brought together leading experts from the two universities who shared the findings of their research, as well as senior government officials and business leaders to address the need for new forms of governance involving multiple stakeholders.

The Forum topics presented and discussed at the one-day Forum yesterday ranged from Social Housing Strategies, Ageing and Social Security, Social Integration and Poverty, Managing Financial Turbulence and Future Governance. There was also a panel discussion during lunch on “Free Trade Zones and Special Economic Zones/Industrial Parks” including the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone. Mr Eric Lian, CEO of UOB Bank (China), Mr Neil Ge, CEO of DBS Bank (China), Mr Goh Toh Sim, Keppel Corporation’s Chief Representative in China, shared their insights at the panel discussion which was moderated by Professor Yin Chen from Fudan University’s China (Shanghai) Free Trade Zone Comprehensive Research Centre.    

SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer and Fudan University President Professor Yang Yu Liang held a senior-level meeting on the sideline of the Forum, and officiated the plaque unveiling ceremony to commemorate the official launch of the SMU-Fudan Joint Research Centre on Development Studies. The Joint Research Centre was established by SMU’s School of Social Sciences and Fudan University’s State Innovative Institute for Public Management and Public Policy Studies last year to conduct research on issues related to social development in China, including rural reforms, land policy, urbanisation, migration and ageing. This is SMU’s first joint research centre with a university in China. The Centre will conduct a Joint Research Workshop today to develop a concrete research agenda to address the issues raised at the Forum.

The SMU Global Forum Series is an integral part of SMU’s China Initiatives which was established in the second quarter of 2012 to raise SMU’s profile in China as a research university in the broad field of social sciences. By doing so, SMU aims to contribute to the Singapore-China collaboration in business, government and civic society by nurturing China-ready and bicultural graduates who are able to function effectively in the business and financial environment in China.  

In April 2013, a senior SMU delegation led by President Professor Arnoud De Meyer visited and signed memoranda of understanding (MOU) with Fudan University to enhance partnership in academic education and research. The MOUs cover collaborative research, lectures and symposia; exchange of scholars, researchers and students; exchange of information and materials in fields which are of interest to both sides.

In November 2013, SMU launched its China Forum in Singapore to foster a deeper understanding of the trends and influences shaping the growth and development of China. Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam was the Guest-of-Honour. Prominent Chinese scholars from leading universities including Peking University, Fudan University and Southwest University of Finance and Economics participated in the high-profile one-day event.

For more information, please contact

Teo Chang Ching (Mr)
Assistant Director, Corporate Communications
Office of Corporate Communications & Marketing
DID: 6828 0451/ 94318353
Fax: 6828 0456
Email: ccteo [at] smu.edu.sg

About SMU China Initiatives

China plays an important role in SMU’s next phase of growth and international reputation building. The SMU China Initiatives was launched in late 2012 to focus on enhancing collaboration with existing universities as well as extending our network of partners in China.

SMU’s long-term strategy in China is to:

• Raise the international profile, brand name and reputation of SMU in China;

• Improve the quality of students from China admitted into SMU’s undergraduate, postgraduate and executive programmes;

• Broaden the engagement between SMU faculty members and their counterparts at leading Chinese universities in joint research and PhD co-supervision;

• Enhance student exchange programmes and internships in China for SMU students.

[Photo: SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer (right) and Fudan University President Professor Yang Yu Liang (left) held a senior-level meeting on the sideline of the SMU-Fudan Global Forum, and officiated the plaque unveiling ceremony to commemorate the official launch of the SMU-Fudan Joint Research Centre on Development Studies.]