SMU is first Asian university to offer master’s degree accredited by international professional HR body CIPD

Singapore, 3 November 2016 (Thursday) – The Singapore Management University (SMU) has become the first university in Asia to offer a master’s degree accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). SMU joins prestigious universities such as the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and Kings College London to deliver the CIPD’s premier level accredited qualifications. 

The CIPD is the professional body for HR and people development. Founded more than 100 years ago, and constituted by Royal Charter, the CIPD is independent and not-for-profit and the voice of a worldwide community of over 140,000 members committed to championing better work and working lives.

SMU’s Master of Human Capital Leadership (MHCL) has been designed in partnership with the CIPD, the Human Capital Leadership Institute (HCLI), and the Wharton Centre for Human Resources (USA), resulting in a market-leading study programme that provides unparalleled professional qualifications, business acumen and academic knowledge.

SMU MHCL graduates will earn a master’s degree and the top-level CIPD Level 7 Advanced Qualifications Diploma, the most sought-after internationally-recognised professional qualification in human capital leadership, which starts their journey towards Chartered Status of the CIPD. In addition, SMU’s partnership with the CIPD will facilitate the offering of new continuing education courses in the field of human resources management.

SMU is partnering the CIPD and HCLI with the aim of advancing the HR profession and developing more local and regional talents and leaders, who not only meet but also elevate global standards and lead the future of HR. This comes at a critical time in the evolution of the HR profession.

Prof Gerry George, Dean of SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business said, “The CIPD’s collaboration is significant recognition of SMU’s business education excellence. The leading-edge programme blending the best industry knowledge drawn from our strong partners has set a new, unparalleled industry benchmark. It also strongly resonates with SMU’s mission of providing transformative education and producing global leaders with an Asian perspective. The unique MHCL programme, together with upcoming continuing education courses, will offer distinctive advantages for HR leaders and organisations seeking innovation and business results through human capital leadership.

He added, “We are also very honoured to earn another major global accolade – being Asia’s first university accredited by the CIPD adds to SMU’s distinction of being one of the few institutions to be recognised by top accreditation bodies worldwide, including AACSB and EQUIS.”  

Mr Peter Cheese, CEO of CIPD said, “We are proud to partner with SMU and accredit the new Master of Human Capital Leadership programme – the first of its kind in Asia. SMU’s vision to equip senior leaders with the know-how and acumen to meet strategic human capital challenges aligns with the CIPD’s purpose of championing better work and working lives, and is an important milestone in the process of raising the standards of the HR profession in Asia and internationally.”​

Ms Wong Su-Yen, CEO of HCLI said, “We are pleased to partner with SMU on the MHCL and look forward to seeing the graduates of the programme take on the reins of leadership and impact the human capital ecosystem in Asia and beyond. We heartily congratulate SMU on being the first university in Asia to achieve accreditation from the CIPD.”

In conjunction with the official award ceremony where SMU was bestowed the status of Level 7 Centre by the CIPD, SMU also hosted an evening seminar event entitled “The HR Profession – A Global Perspective” jointly held with CIPD and HCLI.

An audience of 100 comprising HR professionals, business leaders, academic specialists and students, were engaged on the topic of the impact of the partnership and that of globalisation on HR strategies and management. They heard from an esteemed panel of international thought leaders, comprising globally renowned thought leader Mr Peter Cheese, CEO of CIPD (London); regional HR practice leader Ms Wong Su-Yen, CEO of HCLI; business and innovation knowledge driver Prof Gerry George, Dean of SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business; and management and human capital expert Dr Richard Smith, SMU Associate Dean (General Management Programmes), and Academic Director of MHCL.

For more information about the SMU Master of Human Capital Leadership, please visit here.

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