25 Years Strong: SMU Centre for Social Responsibility Celebrates Its Community Partnerships

What does 4.2 million hours of service look like? It's the spark in a child's eyes during Saturday coaching. It's migrant workers gaining digital skills that open new doors. It's vulnerable families finding support when they need it most. It's students and partners co-creating sustainable change across Singapore and beyond.

On 3 December, over 80 people gathered to celebrate this impact at C4SR's inaugural Partners' Appreciation Event, marking 25 years of partnerships that have transformed communities and students alike. SMU senior leadership joined representatives from 50 partner organisations, C4SR staff members, and student leaders - the people whose dedication has shaped thousands of lives. Their presence affirmed a powerful truth: meaningful impact is born from relationships built on trust, collaboration, and shared purpose.

A Quarter-Century of Impact

As the first university in Singapore to formalise community service, what began as a bold idea in 2000 has grown into a deep culture of giving back. Since then, over 12,000 local and 2,300 overseas community service projects have brought this vision to life. The numbers tell a compelling story: SMU students have collectively contributed 4.2 million hours of service with more than 430 partner organisations over the past 25 years, supporting causes ranging from disability empowerment and eldercare to environmental conservation and migrant worker welfare. The Class of 2025 exemplified this commitment to service, completing an average of 105 hours each, with 87% exceeding the minimum 80-hour requirement.

A Celebration of Purpose and Heart

The event was graced by Guest-of-Honour Ms Denise Phua, Mayor of Central Singapore District and Member of Parliament for Jalan Besar GRC, alongside SMU President Professor Lily Kong. Both leaders delivered heartfelt addresses that underscored the transformative power of partnerships in creating meaningful social change.

Professor Kong expressed deep gratitude to community partners, acknowledging their essential role in SMU's journey. She emphasised that community service is central to SMU's holistic education, shaping students into empathetic individuals through real-world engagement. Successful partnerships, she noted, are built on trust, patience, and mutual support—values SMU remains committed to as it continues innovating to address evolving societal challenges.

Mayor Phua's words about grit, heart, and "sticking our necks out" like giraffes for the common good resonated deeply with the audience. She highlighted SMU's long-standing partnership with Central Singapore Community Development Council and congratulated students and staff for receiving the People's Association Community Spirit Award 2024 (Excellence Award) and 2025 (Merit Award).

The programme included a roundtable discussion where student leaders shared their frontline experiences and the challenges of leading community service initiatives. Their candid reflections bridged the gap between academic learning and real-world impact, resonating deeply with partners in the room.

Music brought the celebration to its emotional peak. Project Espressivo - SMU SoundFoundry's initiative using music to support persons with aphasia - performed "Can't Help Falling in Love" before debuting "25 Years Strong," an original track written by C4SR team member Ng Xin Le to honour the anniversary. As voices joined together in song, the room became a chorus of shared purpose and celebration.

The event concluded with interactive activities, including a Co:Creation Workshop where guests created handprinted pouches using botanical stamps. Guests left with meaningful door gifts—scented candles and fabric coasters made by mothers in small, home-based businesses supported by Project TranSMUte & Project MOMtrepreneur students. The gifts captured the heart of the celebration: partnerships creating real, lasting change.

Voices from the Community

Jimmy Chong, a Year 2 student from the Lee Kong Chian School of Business and leader of Project Inara 3, reflected on a pivotal moment during his befriending sessions at Rainbow Centre: "There was a moment when one of the youths who usually is very quiet suddenly opened up and subtly shared the things which interest him and the hobbies he used to do. This small but heartwarming interaction reminded me that social change doesn't always come from big or dramatic actions. Instead, it grows through trust, patience, and consistently showing up for someone."

Jimmy's experience highlighted a crucial insight: "Social change starts with understanding individuals deeply, meeting them where they are and seeing them eye to eye and recognising that even the smallest connections can make a lasting impact."

For Phua Huijia, Founder of Skillseed, the event held special significance. "It meant a great deal to us. We've always valued our partnership with SMU C4SR, and being invited to celebrate this milestone together reminded us how meaningful and long-standing our collaboration has been - 10 years!" she shared.

Reflecting on what makes SMU students exceptional partners, Phua noted: "SMU students consistently bring a combination of sharp thinking, sincerity, and a willingness to step out of their comfort zones. What stands out for me is their humility and openness — they don't just execute tasks, they come with a learner's mindset and a genuine desire to understand the issues and communities they are serving."

Ng Xin Le, a C4SR staff, captured the spirit of the gathering: "Looking around the room filled with familiar and new faces, I was reminded of the strong connections we've built - a clear reflection of our growing community. The collective impact we've achieved comes from all of us showing up, collaborating, and believing in what we're building."

Her vision for C4SR's future is ambitious yet grounded: "My dream for the future of C4SR is to see it grow as a hub for collaboration and impact. I hope C4SR can lead the way in tracking and measuring the difference we're making, so we can continuously learn, improve, and maximise the value of our partnerships and student initiatives."

Phua Huijia echoed this forward-looking sentiment: "My hope is that we continue co-creating initiatives that stretch both organisations — programmes that allow students to grow meaningfully while creating real social value. Here's to many more years of shared learning, impact, and purposeful work together."

A Legacy of Service

As SMU enters its next chapter, the Appreciation Event served as both a celebration of past achievements and a recommitment to the values that have guided SMU’s community service journey for 25 years.

The afternoon reminded everyone present that community service is more than a graduation requirement — it's a powerful force for good that shapes socially responsible leaders who move with purpose, care deeply about underserved communities, and find innovative ways to create lasting change.