Under a cloudy but spirited January sky, the Singapore Management University (SMU) marked its 25th anniversary in grand style. On 17 January 2025, more than 7,000 attendees—students, alumni, faculty, and staff—gathered on the lush Campus Green to celebrate SMU Patron’s Day. The festivities, months in the making, reflected not just a milestone for the institution but also its enduring values of innovation, community, and sustainability.
At the heart of the event was an unmistakable icon: an eight-metre inflatable mascot lovingly named SMOO SMOO. Standing as a towering emblem of pride, the inflatable mascot framed the scene for SMU’s management team and the 27-strong student organising committee, whose seven months of careful preparation unfolded into a celebration that clearly resonated with those in attendance. The response, warm and unequivocal, came through in the numbers: 90% of participants deemed the event 'Good' or 'Excellent,' while nearly 89% acknowledged that it deepened their sense of belonging to the SMU community.
Celebrating SMU’s Evolution Through Performance
The stage set the tone with performances celebrating SMU’s evolution. Alumni hip-hop crew Eluminix brought nostalgia to life, while SMU Samba Masala collaborated with the Malay Language and Cultural Club for a rhythmic, heart-thumping spectacle. Chantalle Ng, a Mediacorp artiste and proud alumna, and Joshua Lim, a fellow trailblazer, shared their stories of impact, captivating the crowd with their authenticity.
As night fell, the mood turned electric. Headliner Benjamin Kheng and DJ Kiara from SMU Stereometa turned the celebration into a high-energy dance party.
A Carnival of Creativity and Collaboration
At the heart of the celebration was the largest-ever gathering of SMU Makers, a vibrant assembly of more than 40 entrepreneurs from across the university community. Alumni like Faith Koo, founder of Jo & Stitch, showcased sustainable patchwork creations made from discarded fabric scraps, breathing new life into textiles destined for waste. Undergraduate innovators Chew Yi Xuan and Low Cher-Mayne, founders of GIVMI, shared their sugar-free caffeine gummies designed to help busy students stay productive.
“The support from the SMU community has been incredible,” Low said, reflecting on the significance of sharing her work with Provost Professor Timothy Clark during the event. “It’s inspiring to see how much this university values innovation and passion.”
Tug-of-War and the Spirit of Belonging
The evening also brought moments of light-hearted competition, such as the Inter-Faculty Tug-of-War. Despite occasional rain, the teams representing SMU’s seven schools pulled with determination, cheered on by the crowd. In the end, the Yong Pung How School of Law emerged victorious, lifting the coveted SMOO SMOO trophy. This blend of camaraderie and competition underscored a sense of belonging that resonated deeply with attendees.
Green Dreams and Giving Back
True to its vision for a greener future, SMU made sustainability a core theme of the celebration. The Go Green with SMOO initiative, which included recycling HDPE2 bottle caps into carabiners and coasters, turned waste into meaningful keepsakes. Meanwhile, SMU(ltiply), a fundraising campaign that invited often-overlooked service staff to join the festivities, raised $1,655—up from $1,200 the previous year—demonstrating the university’s commitment to inclusivity.
“Being part of the Student Organising Committee taught me so much about collaboration and responsibility,” said Gabriel Wong, a Year 4 School of Computing and Information Systems student who directed sustainability efforts for the event. “It was an honour to host SMU President Professor Lily Kong during her tour of the festivities and to showcase the work of our team.”
Beyond the Festivities
As SMU Pro-Chancellor Kuok Khoon Ean aptly noted, “I really enjoyed the evening, especially the performances by SMU VOIX, SMU SoundFoundry, and SMU INDANCITY.” His sentiments echoed those of thousands who attended—pride, joy, and a shared hope for the future.
The festivities had begun a week earlier on 10 January, with a special Patron’s Day Dinner where SMU commemorated its milestone anniversary and unveiled its new Vision and Mission—setting the stage for the university’s next chapter. Read more about the launch here.
SMU’s 25th anniversary is more than a celebration—it is a moment to reflect on the university’s role in shaping Singapore’s future. From nurturing entrepreneurial talent to championing sustainability, SMU has positioned itself as a hub of innovation and impact.
As the anniversary logo lit up against the backdrop of the city, one could sense that the university’s story is still unfolding—its next 25 years poised to bring even greater contributions to Singapore and the world.
Here’s What SMU Students Had to Say About PD25
Ng Ka Yan, Year 2, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
"Being part of the Student Organising Committee for SMU Patron’s Day 2025 has been an incredibly rewarding and insightful experience. As the Design Director, I had the opportunity to work on the creative aspects of this large-scale event, which was both challenging and enjoyable. I designed a variety of collaterals and saw them come to life—an incredibly fulfilling experience. Collaborating closely with other departments and my amazing associates helped me hone my time management and leadership skills.
A highlight of this journey was hosting Professor Paulin Tay Straughan, our Dean of Student Life. This experience allowed me to refine my public speaking and hosting abilities. Throughout this journey, I have grown immensely, both personally and professionally, and I’m proud to have contributed to such a meaningful event!"
Javier Tay, Year 2, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
"Being part of the Patron’s Day celebration has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The strong sense of pride and identity was truly inspiring, and it was amazing to see every student come together to mingle, explore, and celebrate.
My most memorable moment was definitely the freebies and the Makers’ Market. For me, this event was a platform to forge stronger bonds with my friends. Happy birthday, SMU! I LOVE SMU."
Carmen, Year 3, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
"Having been an associate for SMU Makers last year, I was deeply inspired by the teams and departments that made PD25 so fun and memorable. My most cherished moment was cheering on my friend performing for Samba Masala despite the rain.
Being part of the Patron's Day celebration means celebrating the best school with the best company."
Ray Tan, Year 2, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
"Seeing the alumni and undergraduates set up stalls at the SMU Makers’ Zone was truly inspiring. The most memorable moment for me was the tug-of-war, where I witnessed different schools putting in tremendous effort and giving their best.
Being part of the celebration was meaningful, as it highlighted SMU’s many milestones and achievements. It also made me reflect on how my contributions in FO have helped shape student life, and I’m grateful for the people I’ve met along the way.
Happy 25th birthday, SMU! I hope SMU continues to soar to greater heights in the years to come!"
Ivery Ee, Year 2, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
"The tug-of-war stood out to me the most. Seeing students from each faculty push themselves to their limits for their school was truly impressive, and I deeply admire and respect their perseverance.
Being part of the organising committee for PD25 was the most memorable experience for me. The performances at night were also a highlight. For me, the celebration was about making lasting memories with my friends, giving back to my school, and commemorating SMU's milestone.
Thank you for all the opportunities, SMU!"
Deeksha Saravanan, Year 2, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
"As the Finance Director for SMU Patron’s Day 2025, I am grateful to have been part of the Student Organising Committee. My role involved ensuring adherence to SMU's procurement processes and managing the timely reimbursement of claims.
With no prior experience in finance management, this role was a valuable learning opportunity, providing me with a deeper understanding of financial systems. Collaborating with my fellow team members also helped me refine my communication skills as I conveyed financial procedures to them.
A key highlight of my journey was hosting SMU’s Senior Vice President, Mr. Christopher Chew, from the Office of Corporate Communications and Marketing. I had the privilege of guiding him through the event highlights, showcasing the vibrant spirit of SMU Patron’s Day 2025.
Overall, this experience has been incredibly rewarding, equipping me with valuable skills and creating cherished memories."
