• BNP and SMU establishes BNP Paribas - SMU Fellowship Award.
• Award will support research in the area of Finance and Financial Markets.
• Total value of S$266,000 to be awarded over the next 10 years.

[Singapore, 28 January 2015 (Wednesday)] – BNP Paribas Singapore continues its longstanding partnership with the Singapore Management University (SMU) and establishes the BNP Paribas – SMU Fellowship Award to recognise outstanding Finance faculty members at SMU’s Lee Kong Chian School of Business (LKCSB).

BNP Paribas Singapore and SMU contributed equally to establish the Award, valued at a total of S$266,000.  To be presented over the next 10 years, the Award will be used to support outstanding faculty members for their work and research in the area of Finance and Financial Markets, which is one of the University’s Areas of Excellence.

Mr Arnaud Lambotte, Chief Financial Officer for South East Asia at BNP Paribas Singapore, said: “We are very happy to continue our partnership with SMU for education, training and development in the domains of Finance and Financial Markets. Promoting education is an integral part of BNP Paribas’ commitment towards achieving our civic responsibility goals. Our gift is an investment for the creation of knowledge and skills development in Singapore and the region.”

[Photo: (L-R) Mr Arnaud Lambotte, Chief Financial Officer for Southeast Asia, BNP Paribas Singapore and Professor Gerard George, Dean, SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business, at the signing ceremony held at SMU.]

BNP Paribas Singapore’s partnership with SMU dates back to 2006 when the BNP Paribas Hedge Fund Centre at SMU was first established. Eight years later, BNP Paribas Singapore continues its support for SMU beyond the study of Hedge Funds by using the remaining funds from the Centre to establish the Fellowship Award and to support diverse finance research and education activities.

Professor Rajendra Srivastava, SMU’s Provost and Deputy President (Academic Affairs), said: “We are delighted to be able to continue this symbiotic relationship with BNP Paribas Singapore and appreciate its unwavering support. As an institution, SMU thrives on strategic collaboration with our corporate partners. It is by forging productive relationships with industry leaders such as BNP Paribas Singapore that the University has been able to conduct research and teaching which have direct relevance and impact in solving real-world issues.”

Professor Gerard George, Dean of SMU LKCSB, said, “It is a privilege for SMU and our Finance faculty to enjoy the support of BNP Paribas Singapore. The level of commitment and engagement displayed by the bank’s senior executives in providing industry insight and practical guidance is spectacular, and we are delighted to be able to take this collaboration further.”

The Award is open to all full-time faculty members in the Finance track at SMU LKCSB. Recipients may use the Award to conduct and disseminate research in Finance and Financial markets so as to educate finance practitioners and the public.

[Photo: (L-R) Mr Chanant Charnchainarong, Head of Fixed Income for Southeast Asia, BNP Paribas Singapore; Mr Arnaud Lambotte, Chief Financial Officer for Southeast Asia, BNP Paribas Singapore; Professor Gerard George, Dean, SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business; and Professor Francis Koh, Vice Provost (Special Projects), SMU.]

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