Singapore, 4 October (Tuesday) – Singapore Management University (SMU) announced today that it will introduce a new, premier scholarship programme – Global Impact Scholarship Award – from Academic Year 2017. To be offered to 40 Singaporean undergraduates, the Scholarship is dedicated to nurturing a new generation of Singaporean leaders with the global perspective, skills and commitment to solve complex problems and make strong societal impact and contributions.
The scholarship comprises a specially designed Scholars’ Core curriculum that has a strong infusion of experiential learning through bespoke SMU-X modules, multiple forms of overseas exposure (scholars’ study mission, overseas community service, and overseas exchange or a summer programme at the University of Cambridge or University of Oxford) and strong leadership development opportunities.
The Global Impact Scholarship is also distinct in that it covers undergraduate and postgraduate education. Global Impact Scholars can choose to do either an Integrated Bachelor and Master degree in four years*, or pursue a Sequential Master degree after completing their undergraduate studies. In the latter case, they also have the option of pursuing their postgraduate studies after gaining a few years of experience in the workplace.
Fully funded by the University, the new scholarship, which is worth over $120,000, illustrates SMU’s strong commitment towards making an impact on society through education.
[Photo: SMU Provost Prof Lily Kong speaking to reporters at the press briefing held on 4 October 2016. On her right is Prof Chow Hwee Kwan, Academic Director of the Global Impact Scholarship Award.]
Articulating the vision and objective of the new scholarship programme at a press briefing, SMU Provost, Professor Lily Kong, said, “This new Global Impact Scholarship Award takes SMU’s holistic education to a new level. Through a robust curriculum, we hope to nurture leaders with a global perspective and a commitment to help solve complex global and local challenges.”
“The programme is designed to help realise each scholar’s leadership potential, ignite their desire and hone their ability to make meaningful impact on and contribution to society. It gives scholars a transformative learning experience, and cultivates in them a strong capacity for critical, creative and innovative thinking. We hope that these scholars will graduate having both a sense of global citizenship as well as local rootedness, and demonstrate committed leadership,” she added.
In preparation for the scholarship launch, the University is presently putting together three SMU-X courses specially tailored for the 40 scholars. The three courses – Transformative Leadership, Managing in a VUCA Context, and Scholars’ Capstone Research Project – will be taught in collaboration with selected industry partners in the public and private sectors. An innovation introduced by SMU in 2015, SMU-X is a new way of teaching by exposing students to real challenges faced by companies, putting them in groups to solve the problems and develop practical, implementable solutions, in a process which include close mentorship and guidance by faculty members and industry partners. To date, more than 1,500 SMU undergraduates have been involved in 270 group projects with 120 partners.
Application for the scholarship opens from 25 October 2016 and closes on 19 March 2017.
More information on the scholarship can be found here: https://admissions.smu.edu.sg/scholarships/smu-global-impact-scholarship-award-gisa
*with the exception of law students, who are expected to complete the Integrated Bachelor and Master degree in five years.
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Annex 1
Global Impact Scholarship Award – Views of employers, educators and prospective students
Quotes from employers
Mr Allan Schulte, VP, Bain & Company Southeast Asia, Head of Recruiting:
“Interdisciplinary and immersive education is critical to our work in management consulting. We are looking for thinkers and doers who can bring structure, creativity, logic and human understanding to the very complex business problems we tackle every day. The GISA scholarship programme represents a cutting edge way of cultivating that kind of talent and we fully endorse its mission.”
Ms Theresa Phua, Managing Director, Singapore Head of Human Resources, DBS Bank:
“We are looking for people who have an innovative mindset, able to embrace change, look for smarter ways to improve their work and deliver simpler solutions to our customers. Through the partnership, students can have a taste of what banking is about. As we build a talent pipeline for DBS, we see this as an opportunity to identify talents who are a good fit with us and engage them to explore career opportunities with us.”
Quote from an educator
Mr Chan Kwok Leong, Deputy Principal/Student Development, Hwa Chong Institution:
“What I like about SMU Global Impact Scholarship Award is the total curriculum it provides. This is a programme that not only has academic rigour; it also develops leadership, decision-making and problem-solving skills. In addition, the curriculum provides deep learning. It cultivates in students habits of mind and dispositions needed in this changing world, while grounding them in sound values. We are heartened that SMU is working alongside schools like HCI to develop global leaders who make a positive difference to society.”
Quotes from a student
Charmaine Chua, National Junior College student:
“I think that the focus on international exposure is very appealing to students. Study missions and overseas exchanges will likely provide new perspectives and a different learning environment from what we are familiar with in Singapore. In my opinion, such opportunities would help shape the way I understand and approach the complex issues of today.
I think GISA scholars will gain humility and develop a deeper understanding of the complexity of the problems we face. Through experiential learning, it also seems that scholars will have a better understanding of the problems faced here in Singapore, and the ways to approach solving them.”
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For media enquiries, please contact:
Huang Peiling
Senior Assistant Director, Corporate Communications, SMU
plhuang [at] smu.edu.sg ( / )(65）6828-0964