A new Entrepreneur Shadow Programme will allow undergraduates in their final two years at the SMU to understudy small business owners and experience at first-hand what it takes to run a business, in a tie-up between United Overseas Bank (UOB) and SMU's Asian Enterprise Institute (AEI). UOB said through this, it is hoped that they will make it their career choice and that SMEs would in turn benefit by getting the skilled talent they need.

The programme is the latest addition to AEI's initiatives for SMEs. The institute's flagship SME Consulting Programme, where SMU students embark on business consultancy projects initiated by local enterprises to help enhance their businesses, has helped over 350 SMEs since it was launched in 2005.