Singapore, 30 July 2024 (Tuesday) – Singapore Management University (SMU) kicked off five days of graduation celebration for the Class of 2024 today at the Opening Ceremony of SMU Commencement 2024. The ceremony, which was graced by Guest-of-Honour Mr Sherman Kwek, Group Chief Executive Officer, City Developments Limited (CDL), was held on SMU campus today with 1,000 graduates, award winners, as well as family and friends of the graduates in attendance.

SMU Commencement marks the beginning of a new journey for SMU graduates. The 3,792-strong Class of 2024 comprises 2,307 Bachelor’s degree graduates, 1,389 Master’s degree and Juris Doctor degree graduates, and 96 Doctorate degree graduates. Among the Bachelor’s degree graduates, 73 of them received double degrees. Altogether, they represent SMU’s 21st and largest batch of graduates since the University was established in 2000.

The Class of 2024 comprised pioneer batch of graduates from the following programmes:

• Bachelor of Science (Computing & Law): 18 graduates
• Doctor of Engineering (EngD): 3 graduates

SMU’s Bachelor of Science (Computing and Law) programme welcomed its first intake in August 2020. Designed to equip students with the skills to bridge law and technology, the multi-disciplinary programme offers advanced technology tracks such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cyber-physical systems, business analytics and digital business solutioning. Some of the job roles which graduates of the programme can undertake include risk management, legal knowledge engineer and legal technologist.

SMU’s Doctor of Engineering programme likewise welcomed its first intake in August 2020. Recommended as a four-year course of full-time study with a maximum candidature of five years, or as a five‐year course of part‐time study with a maximum candidature period of seven years, the SMU EngD programme aims to train professionals to perform deep technical industrial research and translate the outputs into innovative products and services.

University Valedictorian and SMU Salutatorian Award

Ezra Lim, who graduates with a Bachelor of Laws was named the University Valedictorian for being the most exceptional student in the graduating cohort. He received the Kwek Hong Png Valedictorian Award and CPI Valedictorian Award.

For being the second highest ranking graduating student, Leong Hui Ling who graduates with a Bachelor of Business Management received the SMU Salutatorian Award and the Kwek Hong Png-SMU School of Social Sciences Valedictorian Award.

Both stood out with their outstanding leadership skills, significant contributions to co-curricular activities and the community-at-large, exemplary character records and excellent academic results (both achieved Summa Cum Laude).

Mr Ho Kwon Ping conferred the Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa)

SMU conferred upon Mr Ho Kwon Ping, the Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa), in recognition of his enormous and enduring contributions as its founding Chairman.

In delivering the citation for Mr Ho Kwon Ping, SMU Chairman Mr Piyush Gupta noted Mr Ho’s exceptional achievements and service to SMU and to transforming the educational landscape in Singapore. “Under Mr Ho's visionary leadership and dedicated stewardship, the University has transformed from a single School of Business into a vibrant and dynamic institution, now home to over 13,000 students and more than 36,000 alumni across eight distinguished schools. These schools span diverse fields such as accountancy, computing and information systems, economics, law, social sciences, and the recently launched College of Integrative Studies and College of Graduate Research Studies,” said Mr Gupta.

Mr Gupta also commented on Mr Ho’s unwavering commitment to broadening the University's scope beyond business management to a more expansive notion of 'management', which has been instrumental in establishing SMU’s identity. “His efforts ensured that SMU is internationally recognised for its world-class research, emphasising rigorous, high-impact, multi- and interdisciplinary studies that address globally relevant issues, impacting business, government, and society,” said Mr Gupta.

In addressing the graduates, SMU President, Professor Lily Kong, urged them to prioritise their well-being and mental health. “Today in social media, we want people to read what we write, to like what we write. It creates a sense of community in cyberspace, but it can also, as Sherman said, be absolutely devastating. People can be extremely, extremely harsh in social media, and it can have an impact on you. And so that message of resilience, mental well-being on the one hand and on the other, not living only in the world of social media, and being sometimes devastated is so important. Find the time not just to look at your phones as you're walking about. When you sit at the dinner table, don’t only be looking at your phone, when you have loved ones around you."

She also reminded them to cherish the time that they have with their loved ones, and encouraged graduates to continue to seek knowledge as education is a lifelong journey.

Ho Kwon Ping CIRCLE Award

Each year at the Commencement ceremony, SMU also recognises students from each School who have embraced the values of Commitment, Integrity, Responsibility, Collegiality, Leadership and Excellence with the Ho Kwon Ping CIRCLE Award. 

Aside from the CIRCLE values, award winners are distinguished by their all-round excellence in Student Life, Student Leadership, Community Service and Academic Studies. They have been actively involved in serving and giving back to SMU and the community at large; and demonstrated leadership abilities, are upright in character, and well-respected by peers, staff, and faculty.

Leave Your Mark 2024 – SMU’s Annual Graduating Class Campaign

SMU’s graduating class also comes together each year to make their first gift to SMU, in support of their juniors who require financial assistance. More than 500 alumni have supported this in the past five years, raising over S$180,000 and funding the bursaries of 22 financially challenged undergraduate students. A graduating class tradition since 2016, graduands do not just give back monetarily, but also leave their inspiring words of wisdom and advice permanently engraved on plaques in SMU seminar rooms for future generations. Additionally, proceeds from the sale of graduation bears, mugs and SMU Alumni tee-shirts will go towards funding bursaries too. Please refer here for more information on Leave Your Mark 2024.

Enclosure:

Annex 1 - Honorary degree recipients – past and present