About 150 private and public sector representatives from the trading and maritime sector gathered at the Raffles Hotel Singapore on 25 November 2015 for an event hosted by SMU’s International Trading Institute, or ITI@SMU, to commemorate the sector’s significant contributions to the country and to the success of the Institute.  Also in attendance were SMU students and faculty members.

The main highlight of the celebratory event was the launch of the book ‘Leadership’ developed by ITI@SMU as a gift to the nation, particularly to Singapore’s trade and maritime sector. 

The book, which took the Institute one year to put together, 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.

[Photo: Guest-of-honour Mr Lee Yi Shyan speaking to more than 150 participants at the event.]

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.

In congratulating ITI for the meaningful book project, he 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.”

[Image: Cover of book ‘Leadership’]

Incepted in 2007 as a result of a tripartite partnership between SMU, International Enterprise (IE) Singapore and leading industry partners, ITI@SMU has, in the last eight years, 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).  The programmes equip undergraduates with industry-relevant and hands-on knowledge and skills to ‘hit the ground running’ when they graduate to join the workforce. 

Thanks to strong support from the industry, ITI’s alumni and current student numbers has grown from a humble inaugural intake of 22 students, to more than 400 students currently, with many making strong headway in their careers.

[Photo: Prof George expressing his thanks to partners for their unwavering support towards SMU and ITI@SMU.]

To this, Professor George 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.”

The event reached another high point when several industry experts shared their views on the topic ‘Singapore as a thriving and sustainable trading hub: what is needed for the next 50 years?’ in a discussion 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. 

[Photo: A panel of experts discussed what is needed for Singapore to remain a thriving trading hub in the next 50 years.]

Aside from thanking partners for their unwavering support and contributions through the years, Professor Koh also iterated ITI@SMU’s 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.

“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,” said Professor Koh.

“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,” she added.

[Featured photo: (L-R) Guest-of-honour Mr Lee Yi Shyan and SMU Prof Gerry George with the book 'Leadership'.]