Partners of eleven years, the Singapore Management University (SMU) and the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland have enjoyed good relations which began in 2003 when a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which made possible a student exchange programme for 25 undergraduates each year, was established.

“Back then, we had established a unique MOU which did not have any financial clauses built in; both universities simply agreed to honour the agreement without the need for any financial compensation either way,” highlighted Professor Francis Koh, SMU’s Vice Provost (Special Projects) in his introduction at a meeting held at SMU on 30 September 2014.

[Photo: (L-R) Professor Ulrike Landfester, Minister Stefan Kölliker, Professor Rajendra Srivastava and Professor Francis Koh (standing)]

“In 2009, we expanded our agreement to include another five law undergraduates each year, and also extended the exchange programme to MBA students.  This was followed by SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer’s visit to St. Gallen in 2013, when we renewed our partnership and further enhanced the annual student exchange numbers to 40 from each side.  Along the way, we have also had several faculty exchanges,” recounted Professor Koh.

“Indeed, our close relationship has come a long way,” he added.

Under a new MOU signed on 30 September in Singapore, partnership between the two universities will be further reinforced to cover the exchange of doctoral students, beginning with five students each year.  This will provide the PhD students of both universities with a breadth of academic curriculum and a unique learning experience in an overseas environment.  The agreement was signed by Professor Rajendra Srivastava, SMU’s Provost and Deputy President; and Professor Ulrike Landfester, Vice President of St. Gallen (HSG); and witnessed by Mr Stefan Kölliker, Minister of Education of the Canton St. Gallen.

[Photo: University of St. Gallen in Switzerland (Image courtesy of the University of St. Gallen)]

Said Professor Srivastava at the ceremony, “Our University is presently expanding our international partnerships, and St. Gallen is an exemplar.  You are a lead partner for us, and we hope to continue to work with you, and also through you, work with other universities in Europe and in Asia.  We want you to consider SMU as a ‘home’, and your ‘landing spot’ in this part of the world.  We look forward to more years of working with St. Gallen.”

The goodwill and friendship was echoed by Minister Kölliker, who was visiting SMU for the second time, when he said, “Singapore is the right place to be in Asia, and SMU is the right university to work with.  We have been successful so far, and I am sure there will be more opportunities to work together.”

Professor Landfester added, “We look back on the long relationship with SMU, a relationship whereby today is but one of many ‘stations’ of a long journey together.  We are looking towards a hopeful future, I think what we have achieved together so far allows for a very good prognosis for the future.  Thank you for your friendship, and indeed, SMU is a ‘landing spot’ for us.  We will work towards improving our friendship further.”

[Photo: Celebrating eleven years of strong partnership.]

[Featured photo: (R-L) Professor Rajendra Srivastava, SMU’s Provost and Deputy President, and Mr Stefan Kölliker, Minister of Education of the Canton St. Gallen.]