The Class of 2020 was pleasantly surprised and many were even delighted with how the University pulled out all the stops to specially curate the Virtual Graduation and Career Fair (VGF) on 24 July 2020. With the on-going Covid-19 pandemic, the University did not want its graduating cohort to miss out on marking and celebrating this significant milestone. Hence the project team worked on creating a memorable and valuable experience for them. The VFG was organised as an additional event as the physical Commencement ceremonies will be held at a later date when conditions allow for it.
The VGF offered a platform for the graduates to relive and rejoice in the best moments of their journey with SMU, as well as an opportunity to interact with potential employers.
The day started with a speech and Ask-Me-Anything session by SMU Chairman Mr Ho Kwon Ping, followed by two panel discussions on jobs and skills in the post-pandemic world, before ending with a virtual career fair. Throughout the day, the Class of 2020 were able to take part in various virtual activities with their friends and loved ones, including a Virtual Degree Presentation, SMU Memories Gallery, and a MobileAR photobooth.
So how did the Class of 2020 feel about VGF? Let’s hear from them!
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“I feel that VGF provided a good platform for us to come together and mark the transition into the next stage of our lives. Graduation is traditionally a momentous occasion, and without the usual bells and whistles of a graduation ceremony, the significance of this transition was somewhat diminished. On the other hand, these are uncertain times and securing employment is not a given. I feel SMU did a great job in balancing these two objectives, delivering a fun, engaging, and impactful event.” - Aaron LIM Zhe Yang, School of Economics |
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“The overall VGF event was interesting and engaging. Even though graduates like myself could not have the real life graduation experience at the moment, the touch of virtual element, receiving our graduation cert via a virtual platform, was a fun way to mark an end to my university life. My friends who saw my Instagram story were also amused. “The dedications brought back many old memories and that was really fun for me. The virtual ceremony and cert collection was also fun. My family did not take part in the activities but I did show them pictures and videos.” - Lynn KEE Seow Leng, School of Accountancy |
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“Honestly, I was really looking forward to Commencement with my friends because I knew that was when we will take many pictures as memories that I can look back in the future. Also, I graduated earlier by one semester and Commencement was a chance for me to catch up with friends that I have not seen in a long while. Originally, I was a little disappointed and upset but this VGF made it even more interesting because we became a unique batch of students to do this for the first time. Wonderful memories were also created via the VGF through social media and more. “I personally enjoyed the Virtual Degree Presentation. My family managed to see it and was glad that they did. Also, they didn’t have to queue to attend a Commencement ceremony just to watch me walk up the stage. I thought that it was much more convenient and interactive this way. I managed to attend Mr Ho’s speech for a short while (had work afterwards). I’ve always wanted to hear him speak especially after reading his book “Asking Why”. Dealing with this current situation is definitely not easy and I’m glad Mr Ho dedicated some time to give us some advice!” - Valery YEO, Lee Kong Chian School of Business |
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“I felt that the VGF was a fun and creative initiative by the University. It must have taken a lot of effort to make this event possible and I am grateful that the University organised this specially for us. Of course, I am still looking forward to the physical commencement ceremony, but it felt nice to have a virtual event to celebrate our graduation and to make the day feel special, even if everything could only take place online. It was also fun to see my friends post about the event on social media and share their dedications and virtual graduation clips, as well as their AR photobooth pictures. “I particularly enjoyed the Virtual Degree Presentation and the MobileAR photobooth. These were activities that I could include my friends and family, which is great since we can’t have a physical ceremony for now. It was fun for us to watch my avatar walk up the stage to receive my degree, as well as take photos with my avatar. “As for the live sessions, I was grateful for the advice given by SMU Chairman Mr Ho Kwon Ping as well as the panellists. It was helpful to receive advice from industry leaders and to listen to the stories of people that have gone through similar circumstances. I came out of the live sessions with a more positive outlook and mindset for our future despite graduating in these uncertain times.” - Megan HO Shu Ping, School of Law |
The best and the worst of times
(L-R) SMU Chairman Ho Kwon Ping; emcee and Class of 2020 graduate Jeremiah Tang.
In his motivational speech and Ask-Me-Anything session with the Class of 2020 which kickstarted the SMU Virtual Graduation and Career Fair, SMU Chairman Mr Ho Kwon Ping quoted from Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities and said that this being the worst of times is very obvious to all, but it is also the best of times. He said, “For all of you who are graduating now, this is a generation defining moment. [This pandemic] is a phenomenon that will define every person entering adulthood around the world at this moment in time. It will define you in ways that the World War Two had defined a whole generation of people, and how the baby boomer phenomenon defined my generation. It is therefore an opportunity for you to find growth, self-discovery, to learn in ways that others entering into adulthood and job market in a more normal time would not have an opportunity to do so. So embrace this time and learn from whatever you can.”
Mr Ho said that the graduates have demonstrated qualities of adaptability and resilience to complete their SMU education during these challenging times, the same qualities will stand them in good stead as they embark on their careers. He encouraged them to continue to build and strengthen their skillsets in order to ride the waves of change in the post-pandemic world.
Thriving in the post-pandemic world: are you ready?
Top row – (L-R) Associate Professor Eugene Tan; Professor Lily Kong
Second row – (L-R) Mr Edmund Lin; Mr Andie Rees
Third row - Mr Gilbert Tan
In his pre-recorded message to the SMU Class of 2020 which was shown at the start of the first virtual panel session on “Navigating through the post-pandemic world of work – do we have what it takes?”, Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen said, “Just like your predecessors in the SMU Class of 2008 facing the Global Financial Crisis, there must be a sense of apprehension and even fear as you enter the workforce in the thick of a Covid-19 pandemic. This is understandable, though anxiety need not be your enemy. Use it to focus your mind and efforts. Recognise that your education, especially at SMU, has prepared you better than most other places to weather the impact, to make good decisions, and emerge intact if not stronger. Some of you I believe may even seize opportunities that this global pandemic now presents, and become a success because of it.”
The panel included SMU President Professor Lily Kong; Mr Edmund Lin, Partner and Director, Global Head of Financial Services, Bain & Company; Mr Andie Rees, Managing Partner, Southeast Asia, Odgers Berndtson; and Mr Gilbert Tan, Assistant Director-General, National Trades Union Congress and Chief Executive Officer, Employment & Employability Institute. Moderated by Associate Professor Eugene Tan from SMU School of Law, the panel discussed how graduates can rise above the challenges in a radically different post-Covid-19 world, as well as the relevant qualities, skills, and mindsets needed to find purpose and meaning to thrive in the next normal world of work.
Professor Lily Kong said “The post-pandemic world of work will change, it will be much more digital and will require you to be alot more flexible. You will find new roles and opportunities that have emerged which did not exist just six months ago. Working from home will be more common, hence the experience of the workplace will therefore be somewhat different. You will learn to be even more effective in working digitally than you have thus far, you will learn to be more flexible, you will learn to build relationships through the digital platforms. The lifecycle of products and services will be much shorter, you will therefore need to be more flexible in adaptation, in imagination, in creation.”
She encouraged the Class of 2020 to continue learning how to learn by availing themselves to the various learning opportunities. These include the continuing education opportunities that have become widely available in Singapore, such as the four complimentary Continuing Education and Training (CET) modules for the graduating cohort offered by the SMU Academy; continue to learn through the workplace such as taking up SG United Traineeships as well as the 200 traineeships offered by SMU; and learn from mentors such as SMU alumni who are members of The Mentoring Circle, and career counsellors from the Dato' Kho Hui Meng Career Centre.
Top row – (L-R) Professor Gerard George; Mr Aldric Chen; Professor Annie Koh
Second row – (L-R) Mr Joel Fastenberg; Ms Tricia Duran
The second panel session discussed “What are the job skills that are required by fresh graduates to succeed in a post-pandemic world?”. The session started with a pre-recorded message by then Minister for Education Ong Ye Kung, who said “You are graduating at an exceptional time of human history… The Universities and the Government will be fully behind you – match you to jobs, counsel you in your career development, build your skills, sustain your learning, so that your working life will be rich and full.”
The panel comprised of Dean of SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business Professor Gerard George; Mr Joel Fastenberg, Head of Human Resources for Singapore and ASEAN, Citi; SMU alumnus Mr Aldric Chen; and Ms Tricia Duran, Head of HR, Unilever Asia Pte Ltd. Moderated by Professor Annie Koh, SMU Vice President for Business Development, the panel discussed the attitudes, aptitudes and action plans required by the fresh graduates to prepare for career success and jobs of the future. Prof George advised the Class of 2020 to be confident of the soft and hard skills which they had developed at SMU, and make the effort to invest in oneself through learning, invest in relationships and network, as well as invest in others through volunteering.
Yours Virtually
In addition to the pearls of wisdom and words of encouragement offered by the speakers, the Class of 2020 was also able to partake in several virtual activities. They were:
- Virtual Degree Presentation - a digital avatar of each graduate was created from his or her selfie to provide the graduate with a customised experience of going onstage in full graduation regalia to receive the degree folder from his/her Dean, who was also in digital avatar form.
- SMU Memories Gallery - set in a VR-simulated version of SMU’s Li Ka Shing Library where graduates walked down a virtual memory lane to view the curated photos and videos submitted by fellow graduates for the SMU Memories Contest.
- MobileAR photobooth - uses augmented reality (AR) tools to call up the graduate’s avatar on the mobile phone so as to capture photos of the precious moments of the occasion with family and loved ones.
- A virtual Dedication Space for graduates to pen or record their messages of appreciation and encouragement to their loved ones, peers, professors and the University on Instagram and SMU Facebook.
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“My pals since day one of uni (literally)! Thank you for sticking around throughout this journey. Happy graduation my friends! 🎓❤️ #SMUVGF2020” - Megan HO Shu Ping, Class of 2020, School of Law |
"To the peeps who have made the past 4 years in SMU a lot more vibrant and memorable for me—THANK YOU! It has been a fun-filled journey, one I could never trade for anything else. And to my peers—close friends, CCA mates. or those whom I have worked with for projects—I wish you a happy graduation, and may we all move forward to even better things in the future 🙂" – Raihan Rafi (@rhnrf_), Class of 2020 Graduand, SMU School of Social Sciences |
- A Virtual Career Fair featuring over 50 companies comprising multinationals, small-and-medium sized enterprises and start-ups who shared their insights about their company and industry, networked with the graduates, as well as offered full-time positions and SG United Traineeships.