In her first State of the University Address on 2 September 2019, SMU President Professor Lily Kong addressed over 500 colleagues, sharing three key messages.  The first was the larger context within which SMU’s 4Is strategy of integration, industry, innovation and internationalisation sits, and consequently, SMU’s role in making meaningful impact on society and economy.  The second was to update the university community on how SMU had progressed in these four strategic directions in education, research, operations and outreach over the last year.  The third was to paint the way forward.

Dean of Students Prof Paulin Straughan; Vice President, Business Development Prof Annie Koh, and; Vice Provost Faculty Matters Prof Phang Sock Yong.

Engaging Industry

Prof Kong’s address brought to live SMU’s many educational programmes that have been developed in close consultation with industry over the last year, evidencing the close collaborations between the university and industry.  Central to these efforts is a belief in integrating academic learning with learning from the world of practice. Amongst SMU’s many industry partners, she shared updates on collaborations and consultations with Mapletree, SingHealth, Credit Suisse, Google Singapore, Parkway Cancer Centre, and many more, demonstrating the breadth and depth of relationships that have been developed.

Prof Kong also focused on SMU’s research successes – evidenced through competitive grants secured and global research rankings.  At the same time, she exhorted the university community to be ambitious in establishing linkages and collaborations with industry at a significant scale in SMU’s research endeavours.

Moving ahead, she shared some of the emerging ideas from SMU’s Industry Ideation Table, comprising faculty and external members from industry.  In particular, it was observed that Singapore’s economy is now dominated by services producing industries. Given the disciplines SMU specialises in, they recommend that the University is well-placed to focus  engagement and efforts on contributing to the service sector industries. This would form the key thrust of SMU’s efforts, moving ahead.

Stimulating Innovation

Prof Kong spoke about innovation and entrepreneurship in terms of new ideas and creations that lead to new start-ups. An Ideation Table on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, similarly composed of faculty, staff, and invited members beyond the university, is now discussing how the University can do even better in this, and has proposed ideas in the areas of education, research and external community engagement. These will be deliberated by the university for appropriate adoption in the months ahead.

At the same time, Prof Kong reminded the audience that innovation and entrepreneurship go beyond new businesses, and that SMU needs to be innovative and entrepreneurial in all aspects of its work. In the year ahead, SMU Provost Professor Timothy Clark will work with the relevant units and Schools to develop new and innovative ideas for the undergraduate curriculum and pedagogy, postgraduate programmes, ways of engaging alumni from SMU’s continuing education programmes, and Executive Development.   Similarly, she exhorted SMU to continue to be innovative and entrepreneurial in research, engagement with the city, and myriad aspects of its administration.

Prof Kong's address challenged faculty and staff to think about how they can best contribute to the University's progress.

Pursuing Internationalisation

SMU has done well in offering undergraduates global exposure – about 87% of each class currently avail themselves of the myriad opportunities the university offers.  The President outlined the strategy ahead for enhancing undergraduates’ global exposure to ensure that students are well-prepared for the global economy and a much more interconnected world.  This would entail a closer study of the geography, activity and experience of global exposure. 

At the same time, SMU will continue to increase global exposure opportunities for students. She explained therefore the role that SMU’s International Advisory Councils play, and the the reason for  exploring the establishment of Overseas Centres – within Southeast Asia, in the first phase.

Driving Integration

Prof Kong addressed multiple dimensions of integrative work – integration with the city, with its alumni, and internally, amongst different units. 

To enhance SMU’s outreach to the broader community in Singapore and hence greater integration with the city, the University will launch an SMU City Dialogues series to demonstrate its thought leadership on topics that matter to cities. The first, titled “Inspiring Solutions: Growing Green”, will be held in October, on the back of a meeting of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) in Singapore.

At the same time, students living at Prinsep Street Residences are deeply integrated with the warp and woof of life in the city.  The university will be reviewing the first year pilot with the help of an international advisory panel, and will develop plans for the next exciting steps for students who choose to live in residence.  At the same time, due thought and study is being given to extending residential opportunities for more students.

Prof Kong also addressed a second kind of integration, that between the university and its alumni.  She outlined how SMU would develop and strengthen ties with its alumni, foster bonds, and deeply embed the sense of identity and belonging to SMU. SMU must remain relevant to them, through continuing access to knowledge and skills, research and training. In turn, they can offer internships, mentorship, work-study arrangements, and employment to SMU’s graduates.

Thirdly, Prof Kong called for internal integration across units, through greater collaboration, and the establishment of common systems and processes.  The Blue Ribbon Commission for Postgraduate Education was an example of a significant effort in such internal integration in the postgraduate space.  Similarly, she called for careful thinking and action to bring together the many institutes, centres and laboratories on campus, clustered to reflect greater intellectual synergy and coherence, contributing to SMU’s efforts to address societal challenges.

SMU 2020

In 2020, SMU will mark its 20th anniversary with a line-up of academic, research and community initiatives and special events.  Ending on a high note, Prof Kong invited the University community to work with her in marching towards SMU’s third decade, proud of its achievements in 20 short years, and ambitious for much more in the years ahead.

Director, Centre for Teaching Excellence, Associate Prof Lieven Demeester asking a question in the open dialogue session that followed the main Address.

Reactions from faculty and staff in the audience

Responding very positively to Prof Kong’s address, 98% of respondents in a post-address survey indicated that they are better informed of the key achievements across SMU; and 95% have a better understanding of SMU's strategic directions and strategy, in particular, around the University’s 4Is strategy of integration, industry, innovation and internationalisation.

President Prof Lily Kong delivered a very comprehensive, engaging, and inclusive address. She provided bold vision and deeply thoughtful pathways on how to get there. The address should spur all of SMU to work together towards the higher goals.

Prof Lim Kian Guan, Vice Provost (Undergraduate Matters)

As this is Prof Lily Kong’s first year as the President of SMU, it was very special too to hear her reflections, thoughts, ideas and messages. She summarised the progress and achievements of SMU as a whole in a very elegant, clear and holistic way and her style was very inclusive and thoughtful. She uses metaphors, such as ‘garden’ in an inclusive and holistic way. There was an air of optimism and fun as well. She comes across as being a caring person.

Ms Gulcin Cribb, University Librarian, SMU Libraries

I was excited to hear Prof Kong’s directions in relation to postgraduate education. We have been relatively successful thus far, largely through individual programmes’ and Schools’ efforts. As we enhance SMU’s infrastructure for future postgraduate growth and collaboration across Schools and disciplines, we will be in a position to contribute positively to our students’ aspirations and experience.

Associate Prof Themin Suwardy, Dean, Postgraduate Professional Programmes

The overarching theme was that numerous disruptors have emerged and will emerge. Therefore, we need to continually rethink our approaches and be diligent in finding ways to harness the potential of the opportunities that result from these disruptions.

Alvin Sim, Head, Co-Curriculum Development, Office of Dean of Students

The Address was holistic, energising and positively challenging for all. It spoke in a direct and provocative way to everyone, whether faculty or staff, senior or more junior members of the University. Prof Kong gave the clear impression that, through hard work and close collaboration – both within the University and with our external partners – we have the potential to be at the forefront of education and research in Singapore and globally. We should always be better; never settle!

Assistant Prof Orlando Woods, School of Social Sciences

Prof Kong gave a comprehensive account that covered many areas of the University’s progress. She made it clear that we need to stay current and relevant to industry’s needs; to focus on the service sector industries.

Calvin Chan, Deputy Director (Enterprise Infrastructure), Integrated Information Technology Services

The President’s metaphor of pruning a plant to encourage new growth really drove home the point that whilst there is much we at SMU should be proud of and thankful for, the challenges ahead are many and challenging. Essentially, we need to expect fundamental change in many aspects and to embrace it as best as we can.

Associate Prof Pearlie Koh, School of Law

Prof Kong has given an inspirational speech. She assured the SMU community that the University is progressing in the right direction and injected optimism that SMU will scale new heights in coming years. I think many in the audience welcomed her elaborations on possible action plans for achieving the 4Is. It helps to provide clarity and clear sense of purpose in achieving SMU’s vision.

Associate Prof Gary Pan, School of Accountancy

Prof Kong shared very clear directions for the University, followed by the steps that are being taken to put these plans into action. It looks like we have lots to look forward to – and to do – ahead! I believe we’ll all be changing the way we work, to continue to move together as one University towards our goals.

Vanessa Lee, Senior Manager, Office of Research & Technology Transfer

Prof Kong with members of the audience hold up the plant pots and flower seeds which were given as a door gift to reinforce some of the messages in her address.