25 years of impact - AN inspired journey

Nurturing Future-Ready Graduates, DRIVEN BY Purpose and Passion

ADVANCING KNOWLEDGE, EMPOWERING CHANGE AGENTS, SHAPING A BETTER WORLD

Deepening Engagement, Delivering Impact that Transforms Lives

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SMU'S FIRST

25 YEARS

Since its inception, SMU set out to do things differently and, in just 25 years, the University has earned its place in Singapore’s illustrious 60-year history since independence. As a dynamic city University, SMU has shaped world-ready graduates, sparked breakthrough ideas, and built a legacy of innovation and impact.

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smu
at

25

Celebrating
Innovation
and Impact

Annual Report to Stakeholders 2024/2025

25 years of impact

AN inspired journey

Before presenting our Annual Report on progress during the past Academic Year, the following pages offer a timeline of just some of the highlights from our first 25 years.

Chairman's Message

2025 is a year of double milestones: Singapore marks its 60^th year of nationhood, and SMU celebrates 25 years as a bold, distinctive presence in higher education. From the start, SMU has charted its own course – shaping graduates who are world-ready, producing ideas that matter, and building deep connections between academia, industry, and society.

The new Strategic Plan sets out a clear path to nurture independent lifelong learners, enable world-class researchers, forge meaningful partnerships, and transform lives to create sustainable futures.

Mr Piyush Gupta

Chairman
SMU Board of Trustees

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president's Message

In our 25^th year, SMU stands young in spirit yet mature in ambition – rooted in Asia, globally connected, and determined to make a meaningful difference. In January 2025, we launched our new Vision and Mission, and claimed our space as a university at the nexus of management, social sciences and technology, committed to driving innovation, transcending boundaries, and transforming lives.

We have nurtured graduates who are intellectually agile, socially responsible, and globally attuned –
equipped with inter-disciplinary learning, experiential practice, and cultural intelligence.

Professor Lily Kong

President

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board of trustees

On behalf of SMU, I welcome our new Trustees and thank those stepping down for their service. I appreciate all members supporting SMU’s vision as Asia’s premier global city university. Together, we will nurture future-ready leaders and drive impactful research to address societal challenges for a sustainable and inclusive world.

Mr Piyush Gupta

Chairman
SMU Board of Trustees

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Provost’s Message

No effort was spared to enhance education, advance impactful research, and deepen collaborations with our partners throughout the past academic year. The results have been truly gratifying and strengthened our resolve to achieve even greater heights for the University.

As we begin the next chapter under SMU’s refreshed Vision and Mission, we will take further deliberate steps to attract and develop talent, deliver transformative education that prepares students to be future-ready change agents, and generate and disseminate knowledge that shapes a better future for all.

Professor Alan K.L. Chan

Provost

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SMU President Professor Lily Kong delivering her sixth President’s State of the University Address.

President’s State of the University Address 2024

On 20 September 2024, SMU President Professor Lily Kong delivered her sixth President’s State of the University Address to a gathering of nearly 520 faculty, staff, students, and guests at SMU Hall.

Kicking off the event was an exhilarating performance by SMU Samba Masala, fresh from their recent success at the Samba Festival in Coburg. Professor Kong launched into a discussion of the University’s progress over the last five years, from 2020, when the SMU2025 strategic plan took effect. She took a broader view, sharing milestones in the University’s transformative education, cutting-edge research, and commitment to being an engaged city university.

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nurturing future-ready graduates

DRIVEN BY Purpose and Passion

In Acadmic Year 2024/25, SMU enhanced how we deliver transformative education with innovative programmes, bold curriculum improvements, and strong industry partnerships, equipping students for employability in a changing world and enabling them to make a meaningful impact in our communities. Our commitment to excellence elevates SMU’s position in international rankings and strengthens our global standing.

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advancing knowledge, empowering change agents

shaping a better world

This year, SMU research tackled urgent challenges of sustainability, ageing societies, and digital transformation, while collaborative projects with leading institutions delivered insights that can influence policy, transform industries, and improve lives. We continued to combine academic rigour with societal relevance to empower change agents – students, researchers, and partners – who can apply knowledge for the greater good.

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deepening engagement, delivering
impact that

transforms lives

During the year, SMU’s partnerships expanded, and their impact grew stronger. We convened world leaders, industry innovators, and academic peers to address shared challenges and opportunities. New alliances across Asia and beyond opened doors for research collaboration, student mobility, and entrepreneurship. Philanthropic support from individuals and organisations fuelled scholarships, funded pioneering research, and advanced initiatives that uplift communities.

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