SMU opens new on-campus residence after $10m facelift

SMU undergraduates have a new space to call home on campus – the Prinsep Street Residences (PSR). The 5,000 sqm living facility has housed 255 students since August after it underwent a $10 million facelift. About 400 students had applied to stay at the residences which was officially opened yesterday by Ms Denise Phua, Mayor of Central Singapore District. Students living at PSR are strongly encouraged to take up or initiate projects that will benefit society. About 70 students have already joined community service projects. Students also attend workshops, sharing sessions by industry guests and talks on mentoring and career. According to SMU Dean of Students and Professor of Sociology (Practice) Paulin Straughan, students must learn teamwork as real-world problems can seldom be solved by an individual. Currently, about half of the residents are Singaporeans with the rest coming from overseas. About 10 students’ living fees are sponsored by Frank by OCBC, this is part of SMU’s new partnership with the bank, which will also fund students’ projects on sustainability.