SMU welcomed His Excellency Mr Kirk Wagar, the United States Ambassador to Singapore, for a talk hosted at SMU’s University Lounge on 24 February 2016.

Ambassador Wagar spoke on the theme, “Prospering through Diversity: 50 Years of American and Singaporean History”. It was an appropriate time to reflect on the importance of diversity as the United States and Singapore concluded five decades of history and relations, and look ahead into the next 50 years. The talk also celebrated racial harmony as the US marks the National African American History Month in February.

In a relaxed and intimate environment, Ambassador Wagar (above) engaged the audience of 80 guests (below), who had come from various sectors, including the government, diplomatic community, businesses, SMU and other institutions.

During the talk, Ambassador Wagar highlighted the similarities for the US and Singapore, in terms of facing significant challenges in integrating a diverse population, in both nations’ history in the last half-century. Appreciating and benefitting from diversity was and still is a common thread – it has been essential and critical to both nations’ survival and prosperity. As part of the US Embassy’s celebration of National African American History Month, he touched on the struggles and triumphs of the Civil Rights movement in the US in the 1960s, the same period when Singapore was emerging as a new nation with diverse people.

Ambassador Wagar also shared about positive initiatives and trends in diversity in both countries since then, demonstrating the essential role that diversity plays in both nations’ prosperity.

In conclusion, he charted a course for future economic and cultural gains through championing diversity and innovation, emphasising that diversity is an advantage that propels us forward towards prosperity. 

Following the talk, Ambassador Wagar engaged the audience with an interactive session. Several guests enthusiastically posed questions ranging from diversity to socio-political aspects of US, to his views on Singapore’s cultural diversity. His personal views, stories, and anecdotes drew reactions from the audience, who clearly enjoyed his candid sharing.

[Photo: SMU President Prof Arnoud De Meyer (left) posing a question during the interactive session with Ambassador Wagar.]

Before commencing the talk, Ambassador Wagar also complimented SMU on its ability to seamlessly incorporate diversity into what the University does.

SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer shared that SMU also places great emphasis on diversity. “Diversity and inclusion are part of our DNA – we have always been proud to be Daringly Different. It is only by embracing differences amongst ourselves on campus that we learn to become culturally sensitive citizens of the world. We hope that SMU’s transformative and all-rounded education approach helps students become better global citizens,” he said.

Three years ago, SMU set up its Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) unit at SMU – the first among educational institutions in Singapore where a full D&I function is initiated. The function covers diversity in many aspects for students, staff and faculty. The D&I unit is helmed by the Office of Global Learning, which prepares students for an increasingly globalised world through its focus on three pillars – inclusion, integration and internationalisation.

Prof De Meyer highlighted that in the highly interconnected and globalised world today, diversity is a reality that all of us, not just students, have to face. “As a young and different university, SMU believes that we have a big part to play in bridging communities and in championing a broader culture of openness and consciousness. And we believe that harnessing the richness of diversity gives us unique strength and identity to continue to innovate and excel for the benefit of society and humanity,” he said.

[Featured photo: His Excellency Mr Kirk Wagar, the United States Ambassador to Singapore (second from left), and Mrs Crystal Wagar (left); SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer, SMU President (second from right); and Ms Bernadette Toh, Director of SMU Office of Global Learning (right).]