Singapore, 25 November 2015 (Wednesday) – Singapore Management University’s International Trading Institute, or ITI@SMU, has unveiled a book entitled ‘Leadership’ as its gift to the nation, particularly to Singapore’s trade and maritime sector.  The book, which took the Institute one year to develop, comprises more than 30 in-depth interviews with industry leaders, ITI lecturers and SMU graduates, and encapsulates personal stories which convey important life lessons in leadership, many of which are being shared publicly for the first time.

Launching the book at the Institute’s SG50/SMU15 Celebrations was Guest-of-honour Mr Lee Yi Shyan, Advisor to Singapore Business Federation Business Groups, and former Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry, and National Development.  The event held today at Raffles Hotel served to commemorate the significant contributions that the trading and maritime sector have made to the country and to the success of ITI@SMU, established in 2007 as a result of a tripartite partnership between SMU, International Enterprise (IE) Singapore and leading industry partners.

Over the years, ITI@SMU has focused its efforts on grooming Singapore’s very own pool of competent local talent through the specialised ‘International Trading Concentration’ (ITC) and ‘Maritime Economic Concentration’ (MEC) which equip undergraduates with industry-relevant and  hands-on knowledge and skills to ‘hit the ground running’ when they graduate to join the workforce.  From a humble inaugural intake of 22 students, ITI’s alumni and current student numbers currently stand at more than 400 in total.

In congratulating ITI for the meaningful book project, Mr Lee Yi Shyan said, “It is indeed a commendable effort to capture the important lessons in leadership, told from the perspectives of the captains of our industry, and at a time when our nation takes stock of our achievements in the past 50 years, and we look towards the next leg of our journey together.”

Professor Gerard George, Dean of SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business, said, “There are many powerful learning points in the book.  In fact, a common theme runs through the stories, that is, having deep conviction and integrity, perseverance and passion, being bold and decisive, believing in one’s team, leading by example and possessing a ‘never-say-die’ attitude – all these attributes make for a great leader in the trading and maritime sector.  I am confident that this book will be a priceless legacy for future generations of Singaporeans, and that of the country’s trading and maritime industry.”

[Photo: (L-R) Guest-of-honour Mr Lee Yi Shyan and SMU business school dean Professor Gerard George with the new book - 'Leadership'.]

The celebratory event also included a discussion between industry experts on the topic ‘Singapore as a thriving and sustainable trading hub: what is needed for the next 50 years?’ moderated by Professor Annie Koh, SMU’s Vice President for Business Develop and Academic Director of ITI@SMU.  The panelists discussed the many challenges that Singapore faces as a global trading hub, as it is confronted with a diverse range of dynamic forces which are shaping the global trading landscape, such as the rise of new contenders, the shifting of trade patterns, as well as new economic, social and political realities.  To this, ITI@SMU iterated its commitment to continue to work with IE Singapore and the industry to enhance the sector’s capabilities to further strengthen the nation’s position as a premier international trading hub.  Professor Gerard George also thanked partners for their generous and unwavering support and contributions through the years.

He said, “We are grateful to the industry for their generous support towards ITI@SMU’s programmes, study missions, scholarships and internship opportunities.  Collectively, our partners have contributed immensely to the knowledge and development of our young undergraduates, and have enabled ITI@SMU to offer a learning experience that is insightful, unique, industry-relevant, and simply not available anywhere else in the world.”

On the Institute’s future plans, Professor Annie Koh said, “ITI has begun discussions with relevant agencies on our participation in the national SkillsFuture movement.  We look forward to playing our part in the co-development of upgrading and re-skilling programmes for the existing pool of trading professionals, so as to support a future-ready trading and maritime industry.  Going forward, in addition to teaching and programme development, ITI@SMU will also embark on knowledge development and research, and contribute to the sector in a new dimension."

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Huang Peiling (Ms)

Senior Assistant Director, Corporate Communications

Singapore Management University

Tel: (65) 6828-0964 / Email: plhuang [at] smu.edu.sg