SMU’s partnership with Australian National University (ANU) has grown from strength to strength over the past four years. Key milestones included the signing of an inaugural student exchange agreement in 2014 and the inking of a university-wide Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2016 on strategic collaborations in academic, research and exchange programmes.

This year, SMU Vice-Provost (Faculty Matters) Professor Phang Sock Yong met with ANU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Brian Schmidt on 3 August 2018 to deepen the collaboration between the two universities, creating a pipeline of research and joint academic programmes, as well as a scholars’ exchange programme. She was accompanied by SMU faculty and staff, who participated in the research seminars in higher education pedagogy and cybersecurity held at ANU.

During her meeting with Vice-Chancellor Schmidt, Prof Phang reiterated SMU’s interest and commitment to build upon the quality relationship with ANU for collaboration, to implement common goals and deliver meaningful impact. Taking stock of how the partnership had grown since both universities signed the MOU in 2016, Vice-Chancellor Schmidt commended SMU for being “quick to implement, think and do things outside the box.”

Vice-Chancellor Schmidt added that he was heartened by the depth and continuous growth of the relationship between SMU and ANU. He encouraged faculty from both universities to write the next chapter of partnership and collaboration.

Highlights of the day-long programme at ANU included SMU faculty’s participation at two joint research seminars. Associate Prof Lieven Demeester, director of SMU’s Centre for Teaching Excellence (CTE), gave an overview of the CTE’s educational research work at a higher-education pedagogy research seminar hosted by Prof Grady Venville, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education) at ANU’s Centre of Higher Education Learning and Teaching. He also presented on SMU’s enhanced pedagogy framework in achieving graduate learning outcomes.

SMU’s Prof Robert Deng, Deputy Dean, Faculty & Research and AXA Chair Professor of Cybersecurity shared insights on cybersecurity research at a roundtable discussion organised by ANU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, Research School of Computer Science, and the newly established Cyber Institute. Prof Deng elaborated on SMU’s work in cybersecurity, drawing from research conducted by the School of Information Systems and the Secure Mobile Centre. The roundtable discussion was followed by a tour of ANU’s regeneration project hosted by ANU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), Prof Marnie Hughes-Warrington.

Both research seminars allowed a rich and meaningful cross-pollination of ideas and sharing of expertise between faculty and staff of both universities. The visit allowed an opportunity for ANU’s faculty and staff to learn more about SMU’s translational research and efforts to address societal challenges faced by Singapore, the region and beyond. These efforts affirm SMU’s commitment to growing quality partnerships with leading global universities through academic cooperation, research collaborations and student and exchange programmes at all levels.

[Featured photo: SMU Vice-Provost (Faculty Matters) Prof Phang Sock Yong with ANU Deputy-chancellor Prof Marnie Hughes-Warrington and university representatives.]