SMU on Wednesday (26 April) launched its lifelong learning unit, SMU Academy, which is the first in Singapore to offer modular courses that can be accumulated into credits leading to master's degrees.

SMU Academy currently offers 83 courses, ranging from one-day courses to modules conducted over a few sessions on weekday evenings and weekends. The prices of the courses start from $850, before government subsidies such as SkillsFuture credits. The academy aims to eventually run 140 courses, offering about 2,800 training places in total, by the end of March next year.

SMU Academy Executive Director Lim Lai Cheng said the academy will focus on courses in areas where SMU has "inherent strengths", such as financial services. But Dr Lim is also keen to collaborate with lifelong learning units at other universities. SMU's city campus makes it accessible for working adults, she said.