The Singapore Management University has announced today that with effect from 1 July 2017, Professor Paulin Straughan 郑宝莲 will be appointed the next Dean of Students 学生事务总监. She takes over from Professor Ong Siow Heng 王绍恒, who will be appointed in a new role as Dean of International Affairs 国际事务总监.

Prof Straughan, who has more than 20 years’ experience working with tertiary students, is currently a faculty member at the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), National University of Singapore (NUS). Her previous appointments include Vice Dean of International Relations and Special Duties and Vice Dean of Undergraduate Studies, FASS, and Deputy Head of the Department of Sociology. Prof Straughan’s research is in the area of medical sociology and health care systems with special focus on preventive health and the importance of social support networks in health-related issues, sociology of ageing, work and family.

She was a Nominated Member of Parliament from 2009 to 2011, during which she argued for work-life balance and the nurturing of a more pro-family social environment. As part of her public service, Prof Straughan sits on the Board of Governors of Raffles Girls’ School (Secondary), and is a member of the Research Advisory Panel for Strategic Group, Prime Minister’s Office. She had also chaired the Accreditation Council of the Social Development Unit, served on the Board of the Council for Third Age and was a member of the Infectious Disease Task Force (Ministry of Health), NurtureSG (Child and Youth Health Task Force, Ministry of Health) and the Tripartite Committee on Work-Life Strategy (Ministry of Manpower).

Prof Straughan, who will concurrently be appointed Professor of Sociology (Practice) at SMU’s School of Social Sciences, said, “I am indeed much privileged to have this opportunity to work with SMU students and colleagues. SMU is a young, vibrant university that is firmly grounded in a very strong student centric ethos. I am looking forward to getting to know our students and to add value to their tertiary experience.”

Prof Ong Siow Heng who has served as Dean of Students since January 2011 will move on to assume the role of Dean of International Affairs (DIA), which will focus on promoting the international profile and reputation of the university. Said Prof Ong, “I hope to help profile the university’s strengths internationally, and represent the exceptional calibre of our faculty's thought leadership and research, as well as the high quality of our students' competencies, values and abilities to impact society positively."

Prof Ong has a Ph.D. from Northwestern University and is concurrently a Professor of Corporate Communication (Education) at the Lee Kong Chian School of Business and Director, Centre for Scholars’ Development at SMU. His research areas are Intercultural Communication, Public Campaigns and Communication, and Popular Culture.

Elaborating on the new role of the DIA, SMU Provost Professor Lily Kong said, “This is part of the University’s Vision 2025 and its strategic plans to further raise the global profile and reputation of SMU.”

She added that, “As Dean of Students for the past six years, Siow Heng has passionately encouraged and supported student empowerment and student life. Never missing an opportunity to showcase SMU’s brand of education and its fine students, Siow Heng has also effectively reached out to prospective students, schools, parents and industry on the excellent qualities of an SMU education, defined by character building, growing and giving. SMU is also honoured to have Paulin join us as Dean of Students. We will benefit from her wealth of experience working with students within and outside the classroom. I would like to welcome Paulin to SMU and congratulate them both on their new appointments.”