Singapore, 23 November (Tuesday), 2021 - The Mapletree Real Estate Programme (“Programme”) at Singapore Management University (“SMU”) has been enhanced by a contribution of S$2.5 million from Mapletree Investments (“Mapletree” or “the Group”). The additional funding will go towards the expansion of the Programme which will now include the undergraduate scholarships, postgraduate scholarships, postgraduate overseas study trip, and support for Research Fellows at SMU over a period of 10 years.

Following the success of the programme which was launched in the year 2018, the expanded programme aims to equip a wider group of students with the necessary knowledge and cross-disciplinary skills to build a bigger pool of talent for leadership roles in the real estate sector in Singapore and globally. It also establishes thought leadership in real estate finance and investment, as well as develops increased capacity for knowledge creation, dissemination and application.

Mapletree Scholarship

Two undergraduate scholarships will be awarded each year to deserving students enrolled in the Real Estate track at SMU. The scholarship aims to motivate outstanding undergraduates to achieve academic excellence and accomplishments. Each scholarship is valued at S$10,000 annually (S$20,000 in total for two undergraduates) and will support the recipient’s third and fourth years of study. A total of 20 Mapletree Scholarships are expected to be disbursed over a period of ten years.

Mapletree Postgraduate Scholarship

Three postgraduate scholarships will be awarded each year to deserving students pursuing the Real Estate track within the SMU Master of Science in Applied Finance programme. Each scholarship is valued at S$25,000. A total of 30 Mapletree Postgraduate Scholarships are expected to be disbursed over the agreed funding period.

Mapletree Overseas Study Trip Fund

The Mapletree Overseas Study Trip Fund aims to enable students to visit major players, as well as garner regional and global exposure within the real estate sector and related government bodies in the international markets. They will have opportunity to gain project-based learning experiences, understand international real estate investing, and develop an appreciation of the macro factors that influence the performance of real estate markets across countries. The Mapletree Overseas Study Trip Fund is open to students enrolled in the Master of Science in Applied Finance, Real Estate Track and is an expansion of the well-received Mapletree Real Estate Business Study Trip Grant for students enrolled in the undergraduate Real Estate Track.

Mapletree Research Fellows

Outstanding postdoctoral researchers within the real estate sector will be appointed Mapletree Research Fellows. The Fellows will contribute to academic and industry relevant research, curriculum development, teaching and public seminars.

SMU President, Professor Lily Kong said, “SMU regularly engages key industry players such as Mapletree, in Singapore and the region, so our researchers can leverage a first-hand understanding of the needs of the industry and innovate in our approach. This significant gift from Mapletree Investments affirms the quality and rigour of SMU’s education and research within the sector, and the impact that it creates.

Recognising also the need to develop talent that deliver both strategic and economic value, our close collaboration with Mapletree ensures that our curriculum remains industry relevant and we continue to establish a strong position of leadership in real estate education and knowledge creation.

Together, SMU aims to work closely with Mapletree Investments to explore further opportunities for development and expansion of both academic and research activities in the real estate sector. We are grateful for the continued support and partnership of Mapletree Investments and we continue to look ahead towards our collective vision of growth.”

Mr Hiew Yoon Khong, Mapletree’s Group Chief Executive Officer said, “The real estate sector today requires its executives and leaders to possess a well-rounded, global understanding of the industry. Thus, providing this enhanced gift is a gesture of Mapletree’s commitment to expand the real estate programme which will provide students with skills that speak to the industry’s current needs. Ultimately, we hope the programme will equip the students with leadership skills and real estate knowledge to eventually manage, lead and grow the real estate sector in Singapore."

“We are also happy to celebrate the commencement of the new Real Estate Track under SMU’s Master of Science in Applied Finance. It is our hope that this will grow into a Master’s programme of its own in the near future,” Mr Hiew added.

In September 2021, the maiden Mapletree Scholarships were awarded to two undergraduate students, Teo Jia Rui, Jerry and Donovan Teo Kai Siang, enrolled in the Bachelor of Science (Economics) and Bachelor of Business Management (Finance) respectively. The first Mapletree Postgraduate Scholarships were given out to three students – Jerrod Tan, Brandon Yeo Wen Yuan and Lee Hong Hui.

The enhanced contribution follows an amount of S$3 million previously endowed to SMU when the Programme was established in 2018.  The existing programme comprises the Mapletree Professorship in Real Estate, Mapletree Awards,         Mapletree Real Estate Business Study Trip Grant for undergraduates and Mapletree Speaker Events.

A ceremony was held at SMU on 22 November, in appreciation of the enhanced funding from Mapletree.  It also provided scholarship recipients an opportunity to meet and get to know the leadership teams from SMU and Mapletree.