SMU Engage December 2017 now available
The 12th issue of SMU Engage can now be downloaded here or picked up free at selected locations on campus for a limited time only. Below is what Alan Goh, Vice President, Corporate Communications & Marketing, wrote in his Editor's Note.
Editor’s Note
Campus Green has been at the heart of the University and the local community since SMU moved to the city centre campus in 2004. In this issue of SMU Engage, our cover story looks at its reopening with features that benefit the SMU community, our neighbours and visitors.
In the Zest section, on student life, we put the spotlight on an energy-filled Commencement 2017 and magical new Academic Year Opening Ceremony. There is also news of exceptional success and recognition for our students in diverse fields at home and overseas.
Our Academia section opens by welcoming Professor Paulin Straughan as our next Dean of Students and congratulating Professor Ong Siow Hong on becoming the inaugural Dean of International Affairs. Learn how the new SMU Academy brings greater focus and impetus to continuing education programmes at SMU. Read about the conferral of the AXA Chair Professorship of Cybersecurity on Professor Robert Deng; SMU’s latest impressive global rankings; new partnerships with three universities in China and the US; and meaningful discussions of new ideas and impactful research in various fora. SMU School of Accountancy’s bachelor programme is the first in Asia and fifth in the world to gain maximum exemptions from accountancy body ICAEW. SMU Business Families Institute and Deloitte have successfully published the second of four case studies, while our Case Writing Initiative continues to excel with multiple award wins in the global EFMD Case Writing Competition.
In Connections, we look at SMU’s first international Advisory Councils and the inaugural SMU Industry Leaders Dialogue in Myanmar. There is also terrific news that our Chairman, Mr Ho Kwon Ping, has been conferred the prestigious Distinguished Service Order and eleven other members of our faculty and staff received 2017 National Day Awards. Highlights of SMU’s thought leadership include the 3rd Societal Leadership Summit, after which the ASEAN 50 Commemorative Sculpture was unveiled on Campus Green, SMU-ST Education Forum, the sixth season of Perspectives on television, a research-focussed forum on ageing, and annual Wee Kim Wee Distinguished Lecture on Educational Leadership. As an institution, SMU received prestigious awards not only as an outstanding employer, but also excellence in community partnership.
On the back cover, we review the SMU President’s State of the University Address 2017, held for the first time at the new SMU School of Law building. The President gave an encouraging review of the last academic year and a rousing call-to-action for the year ahead.
As I will shortly be stepping down as SMU Vice President of Corporate Communications and Marketing, this will be my last issue as Editor of SMU Engage. I would like to thank you all for your kind support for the 12 issues published. I am sure that, in the future, this newsletter will continue to keep me and all of us engaged with SMU.
Alan Goh
Vice President
Corporate Communications & Marketing
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