In this second of a four-part series on Reimagining Universities, SMU President Professor Lily Kong shared how SMU was the upstart in the higher education landscape when it was set up in 2000. Unlike NUS and NTU, which admitted students based on examination results, SMU used a broad range of criteria, including interviews and reflective essays to select students. It also implemented the awarding of marks for participation in class and forced a behavioural change in its students. Professor Kong said the University is ready to innovate and lead change in the university sector again, and wants to start inculcating the habit of interspersing learning with work even before its students start on their degree studies. She elaborated on how SMU hopes to lead the change in admissions and other aspects of university education.