SMU Welcomes New Academic Year 2025-26

SMU welcomed its 26th cohort of about 2,500 freshmen as Academic Year 2025/26 began. In the weeks leading up to the new semester, the campus came alive with a series of celebratory events, orientation activities, and community engagement initiatives that reflected SMU's vibrant campus culture.

Academic Year Opening 2025

On 15 August, over 600 guests filled SMU Hall for the Academic Year Opening celebration, marking the ceremonial beginning of the new academic year. Themed ‘Chapter 25’, the celebration honoured SMU’s 25 years of bold ideas, lasting connections, and meaningful impact.

The distinguished guests included Minister for Education and Minister-in-Charge of Social Integration, Mr Desmond Lee, SMU Chancellor Mr Lim Chee Onn, Chairman Mr Piyush Gupta, members of the SMU Board of Trustees, senior management, faculty, staff, alumni, and students.

The evening's festivities featured a Grand Procession led by the SMU Students’ Association Council (SMUSA), official opening of the academic year by the Chancellor, a gala dinner, and a showcase of the University's vibrant talent.

Inspiring Messages

Chairman Mr Piyush Gupta emphasised the importance of ‘horizontal skills’ – critical thinking, adaptability, and cross-disciplinary collaboration – as essential competencies in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. Reminding the audience that they are co-authors in SMU’s evolving story, he challenged the students to build upon the legacy of thousands of graduates who have shaped organisations and communities over the past quarter-century. Mr Gupta urged them to live with purpose, forge new paths rather than follow predetermined ones, and approach their studies and future careers with the conviction that their work can create meaningful and positive change in society.

President Professor Lily Kong followed with a heartfelt recitation of “A New Chapter, A Silver Dawn”, an original poem that she has personally penned for the incoming class. The inspiring piece invited students to view "dreams as ink and courage as light," capturing the spirit of this special Silver Jubilee year.

The evening featured spectacular performances by SMU Eurhythmix fresh from their World Supremacy Battle Singapore victory, SMU Guitarissimo, alumni group SMU ReVOIX, SMU SoundFoundry and SMU Broadcast & Entertainment. A special highlight was the preview of MAD The Musical, an original production for the upcoming SMU Arts Fest, created in collaboration with renowned industry professionals including composer / Director of Office of Student Life Jimmy Ye, playwright Jo Tan, director George Chan, and choreographer Andy Benjamin Cai.

Freshmen Orientation 2025

Themed 'SMU is Our Playground,' the SMU Freshmen Orientation launched the academic journey for over 1,800 incoming students, across three sessions held in July and early August. This three-day programme familiarised freshmen – including school-leavers, international students, and adult learners  – with the campus, key SMU offices and resources, as well as the SMU CIRCLE values through interactive games.

This year's orientation held special significance as SMU celebrated a major milestone: the University's largest-ever community service initiative. Commemorating 25 years of dedicated community engagement, freshmen participated in meaningful half-day service activities across more than 120 volunteering opportunities with over 60 non-profit and community organisations throughout Singapore. These initiatives addressed causes from disability inclusion to migrant worker support and intergenerational care.

Vivace 2025

Vivace, SMU's highly anticipated annual Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) fair, captivated over 3,500 attendees on 14 & 15 August. With more than 150 diverse clubs, activities on offer included sports, performing arts, community service, entrepreneurship, and international student organisations.

More than just a showcase, Vivace highlighted how SMU’s co-curricular ecosystem enriches the student journey. Participation in CCAs is formally recognised in the Co-Curricular Transcript (CCT), which is aligned with SMU’s Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs). These outcomes emphasise the development of qualities such as self-leadership, teamwork, global perspective and responsible citizenship — ensuring that students graduate with both academic knowledge and transferable skills that prepare them for life and career.

Vivace provided a platform for students to unearth new passions, forge meaningful connections, and cultivate a sense of belonging within the SMU community.  

From the formal opening of the academic year to the friendships forged at Orientation and the vibrancy of Vivace, the opening weeks of Academic Year 2025/26 reflected SMU’s distinctive identity as a city university where academic excellence is matched by creativity, passion, and purposeful student life. None of this would have been possible without the dedication from our student organisers, student facilitators, and staff trainers, who were the true architects of this unforgettable experience.