On 19 September 2025, more than 520 members of the SMU community gathered at SMU Hall for the President’s State of the University Address (PSOUA). The event was especially momentous as it marked SMU’s 25th anniversary, the close of the SMU2025 strategic plan, and the unveiling of the University’s new five-year blueprint, SMU2030: Shaping Impact, Transforming Lives.
Guests also had the opportunity to view an exhibition titled 25 Years of Impact: An Inspired Journey, which charted SMU’s milestones and achievements since its founding, offering a collective moment of reflection on how far the University has come.
Celebrating 25 years of impact
In her Address, SMU President Professor Lily Kong reflected on the University’s evolution since its early days as a “Different U”. Over the past 25 years, SMU has pioneered innovations that have shaped Singapore’s higher education landscape, from holistic admissions and mandatory internships to its signature interactive pedagogy and strong emphasis on global exposure.
The last five years, under the SMU2025 plan, saw further consolidation and expansion. The University launched new interdisciplinary programmes, strengthened work-study and industry partnerships, and expanded postgraduate and lifelong learning offerings. SMU faculty continued to gain global recognition for impactful research, while the University deepened its regional presence through Overseas Centres in Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, and Jakarta, alongside collaborations with industry, government, and community partners.
SMU2030: A bold new chapter
Looking ahead, Professor Kong unveiled SMU2030, a strategic plan anchored in an impact agenda that seeks to transform lives through education, research, and partnerships.
Education: A sharpened and more defined SMU graduate profile will cut across undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing education programmes. Initiatives such as an Asia-Ready Education Framework, Societal Impact Electives, and expanded co-curricular and industry-integrated opportunities will nurture changemakers, practice-oriented leaders, impact-driven researchers, and agile lifelong learners.
Research: SMU will establish three university-level institutes focused on sustainable cities, resilient workforces, and longevity societies and economies – addressing areas of pressing societal need. The new Integrated Research Impact Framework will guide faculty in creating both academic and societal impact.
Partnerships: SMU will strengthen its presence in key Asian cities, with a new Overseas Centre in Shenzhen and the launch of an India International Advisory Council. A structured partnership framework will help prioritise resource allocation and ensure SMU remains a partner of choice regionally and globally.
Growing together as One SMU
Professor Kong emphasised that SMU is no longer a “secret garden”, but part of a thriving ecosystem of universities, industries, and communities. “Our success will be shaped by collective action, collaboration, and agility. Together, we can grow stronger, faster, and more resilient, and ensure that SMU continues to make meaningful impact for Singapore, Asia, and the world,” she said.
The Address also received strong positive feedback from attendees, with 99 per cent indicating they gained a good overview of the SMU2030 strategic plan and its pillars and 100 per cent said that their experience of attending the PSOUA event was Excellent/Very Good/Good.
As SMU embarks on this bold new chapter, the University community looks forward with optimism and purpose – united in the mission to shape impact and transform lives.
Comments from faculty
I was especially moved by the sand art performance that accompanied the President’s narrative — it brought SMU2030 to life in a memorable way. The focus on impact through sustainable cities, resilient workforces, and longevity societies was inspiring, and the audience left with a strong sense of optimism and shared purpose.
Zhang Liandong, Dean, Lee Kong Chian Professor of Accounting, School of Accountancy
It being our 25th anniversary, this year’s PSOUA marked SMU’s journey in a pithy and uplifting way. Colleagues shared how they came away inspired and appreciative of our robust plans for education, research and partnerships. All of these pave the way towards SMU further answering the remit of shaping society for the better.
Sun Sun Lim, Vice President (Partnerships and Engagement); Lee Kong Chian Professor of Communication & Technology. College of Integrative Studies
Beyond graduate outcomes and academic impact, economic and societal impacts will also be emphasised moving forward. As part of its international ambition, the University intends to expand its reach to China and India.
Hoe Siu Loon, Associate Professor of Information Systems, School of Computing and Information Systems
I’ve always regarded PSOUA as an annual rallying call for better days ahead. This year’s edition once again served as a good compass, giving me hope, confidence and inspiration for the journey forward, and reminding me to have faith and trust the process. The sand art segment was especially memorable, offering a creative and visually striking summary of Prof Kong’s plans for the University.
Aidan Wong, Assistant Professor of Urban Studies (Education), College of Integrative Studies
PSUOA 2025 stands as a testament to how far we have come as a community rooted in our shared achievements and inspired by a vision for greater heights. As SMU embarks on its new chapter, I am heartened by the unwavering commitment to co-creation, inclusivity, and purposeful higher education. I am proud to be a part of SMU's community in cultivating and inspiring new generations of leaders and changemakers for Singapore and beyond.
George Wong, Assistant Professor of Sociology (Education), School of Social Sciences
The speech reminded me that as academics, we are part of society, benefiting from its investment in education and carrying a responsibility to give back. Our research should aim to create positive impact, especially at a time when challenges like environmental change and job-displacing automation are pressing. I also especially enjoyed the sand art, which brought Prof Kong’s messages to life in such a memorable and powerful way, particularly her call to educate students to be self-directed, purpose-driven leaders.
Yoshiki Ando, Assistant Professor of Economics, School of Economics
The clarity and creativity of this year’s PSOUA was inspiring. Twenty-five years in, SMU remains intentional and committed to thriving, not just adapting, with clear directions about what we want to achieve and where we want to go. SMU2030 offers a focused and strategic anchor to help us navigate a dynamic global environment. After hearing from Prof Kong, I’ve been reflecting on what “impact” means for my own research and teaching. I know I will do everything I can to live up to SMU's ethos of creating meaningful impact.
Darlene Machell Espeña, Assistant Professor of Southeast Asian Studies (Education), College of Integrative Studies
I am particularly encouraged by the University’s bold vision for the next five years – focusing on advancing education, research, and societal impact in areas like urban cities and sustainability, workforce resilience, and longevity and ageing. The key messages of teamwork, continuous learning, adaptability, and innovation resonated deeply with me, reminding me and us all to optimise our efforts for meaningful impact. I left with a renewed sense of mission and purpose, confident that SMU can make a significant difference to the society and community we serve.
Sze Tiam Lin, Senior Licensing Advisor / Adjunct Lecturer, Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship / Lee Kong Chian School of Business
Comments from staff
As Professor Lily Kong reminds us, culture and mindset are essential for our progress. As a staff member and alumnus of SMU, I found her call to rise above self-interest and embrace shared responsibility particularly inspiring. She emphasised that true impact is not solely defined by traditional rankings, but rather by the unique strengths we develop together.
Esther Kong, Dr, Senior Deputy Director, Business Families Institute
I was impressed by the well-structured address, which clearly explained our strategic plans and inspired us with a compelling vision for the future. The creative integration of art not only captured our attention but beautifully complemented the key messages. It reminded me that every small step we take, both individually and as schools, offices, centres, and institutes aligns with SMU’s mission and vision, and together we are shaping the next chapter to create meaningful impact and transform lives. The audience left feeling both mesmerised and motivated.
Priscilla Cheng How Yin, Deputy Director, Sim Kee Boon Institute for Financial Economics
What struck me most was SMU’s dual focus on education and partnerships. It made me reflect on GEO’s role in shaping future-ready students through distinctive courses, and by strengthening SMU’s regional presence through deeper collaborations with partner universities. Having heard from Prof Kong on the University’s strategic roadmap, I can be more intentional about aligning my work with SMU’s broader goals, to play our part in connecting Asia with the world in line with the University’s vision.
Bay Hwee Eng, Deputy Head, Centre for Global Education and Opportunities (GEO)
It was exciting to see the strategy for 2030 unveiled, with clear articulation of the University’s priorities and how each of us can play a role in advancing them. The Q&A segment was particularly valuable, with thoughtful responses on how SMU can shape its culture and narrative around rankings. The sand artist performance was a creative highlight and added a memorable close to the session.
Ivy Wong, Assistant Director, Office of Advancement
The 2025 Address offers a thoughtful reflection on where we stand today and the paths we may chart ahead. It captures the spirit of a university that evolves with the times, embraces complexity, and empowers individuals to learn, lead, and contribute meaningfully throughout their lives. It calls on us to move forward with clarity, imagination, and shared purpose in pursuit of our mission to shape impact and transform lives. The sand and light art performance echoed that spirit beautifully, leaving me inspired for the journey ahead.
Derek Chiang Yick Jih, Senior Manager (Senior Development Partner), Office of the Provost
Prof Kong’s address articulated with conviction the University’s role in society as a vibrant institution responding to urgent needs for problem-solving and developing human capital for the future. The vision was clear and aspirational, inviting our collective commitment as we carry the five-year plan forward together. May we find meaning in our work and delight in the fellowship of our community.
Ivy Seow, Senior Manager, Learning Design and Communications, Centre for Teaching Excellence
The key point that I caught was the University’s collective and tenacious commitment to delivering and even shaping meaningful impact to business, society and academia, both in Singapore and abroad. Each milestone SMU has achieved over its first 25 years was also clearly presented, and the direction for the next five years in each business/academic pillar was also painted with crystal clarity – to continue to deliver meaningful, lasting impact, remaining relevant to both industry and the advancement of higher education for future generations.
Loh Hui Xian, Senior Manager, College of Graduate Research Studies
I was deeply inspired by the themes of self-directedness and collective action that continue to shape my work as both an alumnus and staff member. In today’s complex geopolitical and geo-economic landscape, the SMU2030 Strategic Plan reflects our collective progress as OneSMU and charts vital pathways forward in our collective evolution towards shaping impact and transforming lives. We must continue keep thinking critically, making sense of our world, and in doing so, nurture human capital, and strengthen our social and mental infrastructure.
Aaron Lee Kwang Siong, Manager, Web and Digital Technologies, School of Computing and Information Systems
The PSOUA left a deep impression through its powerful visuals and compelling metaphor of SMU as a thriving ecosystem. The clarity of SMU’s forward strategy, especially its focus on future-ready research and impactful education, resonated strongly. The atmosphere was one of pride, unity, and shared purpose as staff embraced their role in shaping the University’s future.
Lee Hui Ting, Manager, Yong Pung How School of Law
We were very encouraged to hear Professor Kong highlight community service in this year’s PSOUA. It means a lot to be recognised, especially with the exhibit and videos outside the venue showcasing the impact of our work (thank you to the OCCM team for helping with this too!). It really reinforces the role that community service plays in shaping SMU’s identity and values. With SMU being the first university to make community service a graduation requirement – it’s an achievement/milestone we continue to take pride in.
Ng Xin Le, Assistant Manager, Office of Dean of Students (C4SR)
Comments from the President of the SMU Students Association
“It’s not a goal, it’s a responsibility”, a phrase Prof Lily mentioned during PSOUA etched onto my mind. Having listened to the plans that each and every SMU faculty and staff came together to contribute shows the commitment and community spirit that SMU has to build our University. I gained a new appreciation for how much effort goes behind providing every student with holistic education that SMU takes pride in, while bringing the name of SMU to the global scene. The 2030 strategic plan is a carefully crafted roadmap for SMU to continue grow in the many years to come. The sand art segment beautifully illustrated every step that SMU will be taking on this shared journey forward together as a community.
Lam Wen Ting, Undergraduate, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
