SMU launched a new Global Impact Scholarship Award on 4 October 2016. The scholarship will sponsor students for both their bachelor's as well as master's, even if they choose to work first before completing their master's programme. The scholarship also aims to attract students who desire a "balance between local rootedness and global exposure”. SMU Provost Professor Lily Kong noted that it is SMU’s way of recognising that there are some excellent students in the Singapore system who deserve to have an education in a local institution, while getting that global exposure. Students who take up the scholarship can look forward to going on overseas trips for programmes such as study missions or community service projects. The scholarship will be awarded to 40 Singaporean students across all six disciplines in SMU. Fully funded by the university, the scholarship is worth up to $121,000 for non-Law and $126,000 for Law students. Scholars will also take three specially designed courses under the SMU-X programme launched in 2015, in which they collaborate with industry partners in both public and private sectors, such as banks, accountancy and law firms, and government agencies, to understand and find solutions for real world challenges. Prof Kong also said that SMU is looking into enhancing the Global Impact Scholarship Award, such as having a residential component. She said: "We didn't want to wait until every single component was in place before we rolled it out. We think it is a very good programme. We will continue to enhance the features of this particular scholarship award."