Singapore, 20 January 2017 (Friday) – The Singapore Management University (SMU) was incorporated on 12 January 2000 and marks its 17th anniversary celebrations on its annual Patron’s Day today. This is the sixth year that President Tony Tan Keng Yam has graced the event as SMU’s Patron.

President Tony Tan participated in the evening celebrations along with invited guests, SMU students, staff, faculty and alumni, as well as members of the public as this is the first year that the event is open to all.

Centered around the theme of PLAY!, SMU’s basement concourse was transformed into a huge PLAY! GROUND comprising a “chow town” with hipster joints serving food and beverages, a “flea lane” with stalls selling merchandise, a “game on alley” where craft workshops and games can be played and a “show junction” with stage performances featuring up and coming local and SMU talents running late into the night.

At the Patron’s Day dinner, Mr Ho Kwon Ping, SMU Chairman said President Tony Tan had envisaged a “Different U” and so SMU had always been about much more than acquiring an academically rigorous degree. “Since SMU was first established, we always emphasised the importance of a holistic education. Another part of this was the culture of giving back, which has thus been in SMU’s DNA since its inception and we were inspired to incorporate community service in our curriculum.”

Professor Arnoud De Meyer, SMU President, added, “During the past 17 years, SMU has been committed to making a continuous and sustainable impact in Singapore and around the world. And this can be seen through various student-led community service initiatives. The culture of giving back is not limited to our students but extends across the entire SMU community – including faculty, staff and alumni.”

This spirit of giving back can be seen via the SMU Challenge, a signature community service initiative organised by SMU students, and is one of the largest and longest running community service projects in SMU. Since its inception in 2008, SMU Challenge has been contributing to the local community in a meaningful and sustainable manner. At the very heart of SMU Challenge is an annual walkathon, where SMU volunteers carry backpacks of food and necessities, and journey from SMU to the doorsteps of the less fortunate elderly to hand deliver them. Having consistently involved the entire SMU community in giving back to our society, over 2,000 faculty, staff, alumni and students have participated in this project by walking more than 14,000km to deliver a total of 7,000kg of necessities to the less fortunate elderly. To date, SMU Challenge has raised $267,000 for their beneficiaries.

In appreciation for President Tan’s contributions, SMU prepared a special photo presentation for him, detailing his involvement in SMU’s milestones over the years. SMU Chairman also presented a framed photo montage to President Tan.

Media Contact:  

Corinne Kang

Assistant Director, Corporate Communications, SMU

DID: +65 68085238

Email:  corinnekang [at] smu.edu.sg