Singapore Management University (SMU) kicked off five days of graduation celebration for the Class of 2025 today at the Opening Ceremony of SMU Commencement 2025. This year’s Commencement took place during a landmark year: SMU’s 25th anniversary and Singapore’s 60th year of independence, a confluence that underscored the significance of the occasion.
SMU Chairman, Mr Piyush Gupta reflected on the broader context, noting: “This serendipitous coincidence reminds us of how far we’ve come as a university and as a nation, and of how your generation will write the next chapter in both these stories.”
His remarks highlighted the important role that SMU graduates will play in shaping Singapore’s future not just through personal success, but through contributions of purpose and impact.
The ceremony, which was graced by Guest-of-Honour, Mr Ron Sim, Founder and Executive Chairman of V3 Group Limited, was held on SMU campus, hosted by the School of Accountancy 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. This year’s graduates are the first to receive the SMU Co-Curricular Transcript (CCT) and don the graduation cord as part of their regalia, which recognises not just academic achievement but also leadership, service, global exposure, and real-world experience — hallmarks of SMU’s holistic education. The CCT is aligned with SMU’s Graduate Learning Outcomes, ensuring that graduates are equipped with the intellectual and interpersonal skills to thrive in a complex, global environment. They will also benefit from the University’s new Lifelong Career Support initiative, reflecting SMU’s commitment to supporting alumni throughout their professional journey.
As SMU President Professor Lily Kong affirmed during the ceremony, “Diversity is not a distraction from excellence — it is essential to it. At SMU, we are proud to be a university where differences are respected, and where people are valued not in spite of their uniqueness, but because of it.”
The 3,883-strong Class of 2025 comprises 2,328 Bachelor’s degree graduates, 1,396 Master’s degree and Juris Doctor degree graduates, and 159 Doctorate degree graduates. Among the Bachelor’s degree graduates, 45 of them received double degrees. The total no. represented SMU’s largest batch of graduates since 2000.
University Valedictorian and SMU Salutatorian Award
Esther Lam Xuan Yi, who graduates with a Bachelor of Business Management & Bachelor of Science (Information Systems) was named the University Valedictorian for being the most exceptional student in the graduating cohort. A Lee Kong Chian Scholar and recipient of both the PwC Whole Leadership Award and VMware Tanzu Award, Esther has distinguished herself in numerous competitions, including championships at the MSC Maritime Case Summit and SMU DSC 2022 UI/UX Competition, and top finishes at Dell InnovateFest, Intervarsity Ungoogleable Challenge, and UOB-SMU-AEI Case Competition PIVOT. She received the Kwek Hong Png Valedictorian Award and CPI Valedictorian Award.
For being the second highest ranking graduating student, Enzo Ong who graduates with a Bachelor of Business Management received the SMU Salutatorian 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.
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. This year, SMU recognises 12 outstanding recipients.
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.
SMU’s Class of 2025 Upholds Proud Giving Tradition Through the SMU Circle Fund
In a meaningful show of solidarity and impact, SMU’s Class of 2025 is rallying behind the SMU Circle Fund 2025 - the university’s annual graduating class campaign that supports financially challenged students. Over the past six years, more than 650 alumni have contributed to this meaningful campaign, raising over S$210,000 and funding bursaries for 24 undergraduates. Formerly known as Leave Your Mark, the campaign sees graduands making their first gift to SMU while leaving behind personal words of advice permanently etched on plaques in seminar rooms that serve as enduring inspiration for future cohorts. Beyond student-led giving, the SMU Shop also contributes by donating proceeds from the sale of graduation merchandise. The campaign reflects a growing culture of philanthropy among young alumni, anchored in community and purpose.
