SMU announced that it will have Professor Lily Kong as its new Provost from September 1. Prof Kong takes over from Professor Rajendra Srivastava, who has been the SMU Provost for the last seven years. Prof Kong is currently Vice Provost (Academic Personnel) at the NUS, and also holds the Provost’s Chair Professorship. She will hold the Lee Kong Chian Chair Professorship of Social Sciences at SMU, as well as become SMU’s Chief Academic Officer in her new role as Provost. SMU said: “Professor Kong brings to SMU 24 years of solid experiences as a distinguished educator, prolific research and senior academic leader.” On Prof Srivastava stepping down on August 31, SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer thanked him for "effective leadership" that saw the faculty of SMU grow by 30 per cent over his time at the helm. Prof De Meyer noted that Prof Srivastava has been a strong advocate for the integration of theory and practice and was the driving force behind SMU’s India Desk. Prof Srivastava will remain as Senior Vice-President of SMU’s International Office to enhance the University's global partnerships.