Surveys like the 2023 Economist Impact research on skills gap point to shifts in what employers value most in workers; they are increasingly prioritising soft skills like adaptability and critical thinking, prompting education systems to adapt. Universities in Singapore are responding with different ways of teaching and learning. SMU, for example, adopts an interdisciplinary approach and comprehensive career support to prepare students for the workforce. According to the Joint Autonomous Universities Graduate Employment Survey, over 92% of SMU graduates in 2023 secured jobs within six months, while one in two of SMU graduates received at least two job offers – outperforming the 89.6% average across the four universities including SMU, NUS, NTU, and SUSS. SMU graduates also command a mean starting salary of around $4,890.
Linette Lim, Director of SMU’s Office of Admissions and Financial Assistance, highlighted SMU’s commitment to nurturing “confident, adaptable, and future-ready individuals” through initiatives like the SMU-X programme and internships, which provide real-world experience and interdisciplinary learning to prepare students for a dynamic job market. SMU President Professor Lily Kong emphasised the university’s extensive financial support options, including merit-based scholarships and the recently introduced SMU Access Plus scheme, which goes beyond just covering tuition fees. SMU student Ernest Ng shared his appreciation for the university’s core curriculum and interdisciplinary approach, which he believes are key to equipping students for the challenges of the modern workplace.