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. The event commenced with a vibrant performance by SMU’s samba band, Samba Masala, fresh from their success at this year’s Samba Festival in Coburg.
In her address, Professor Kong reflected on SMU’s progress over the last five years, since the launch of the SMU2025 strategic plan in 2020. Rather than focusing solely on the past year, she took a broader view, sharing milestones in the University’s transformative education, cutting-edge research, and commitment to being an engaged city university.
Transformative Education
SMU’s core objective is to nurture students into global citizens, change agents, and lifelong learners. This focus has been evident through the establishment of two new schools—the College of Integrative Studies and the College of Graduate Research Studies—enhancing interdisciplinary studies at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
SMU has also made significant strides in bridging academia with industry. Initiatives such as work-study degree programmes and electives that combine classroom learning with practical experience are empowering students with real-world skills. Additionally, postgraduate and professional programmes, including the Industry Practice Master, are equipping learners with expertise relevant to the future of work.
Digital and sustainability literacy are now integral components of the undergraduate curriculum. The University is scaling its digital education initiatives, including blended learning, and ensuring students gain global exposure through partnerships like the TREBLE programme.
As SMU concludes this phase of its journey, the President commended faculty and staff for their commitment and achievements. Looking ahead, the University plans to continue innovating in pedagogy, develop new academic programmes, and expand co-curricular offerings in preparation for the next phase of its strategic plan, set to launch in September 2025.
Cutting-Edge Research
Research excellence is a cornerstone of the SMU2025 plan, with an emphasis on both disciplinary and cross-disciplinary work in areas of strategic importance. Since 2020, SMU has launched several new research centres, including ROSA (Research on Successful Ageing), the Singapore Green Finance Centre, RISE (Research for Intelligent Software Engineering), and the Urban Institute. These centres focus on critical areas such as ageing, green finance, digital transformation, and urban development, aligning with SMU’s broader themes of Digital Transformation, Sustainable Living, and Growth in Asia.
Supported by external grants, SMU’s research is further amplified by collaborations with both local and international institutions. Notable initiatives include joint grant calls, MAKER workshops, and participation in research alliances like the Asia-Pacific Research Alliance on Law and Sustainability.
As SMU looks ahead, the University plans to implement a research impact framework that will evaluate academic and societal impacts, recognising faculty contributions across both dimensions. Furthermore, SMU will sharpen its focus on key research themes, which will lead to the establishment of new university-level research institutes, fostering collaboration and ensuring that SMU remains a leader in impactful research.
Engaged City University
SMU’s commitment to being an Engaged City University remains strong. Internationally, the University has expanded its presence through Overseas Centres in Jakarta, Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh City, bolstering its partnerships across Southeast Asia. Locally, SMU continues to engage with the innovation ecosystem through initiatives like the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition and SMU Protégé Ventures. The University’s Office of Industry Engagement is deepening research collaborations, particularly in urbanism and data analytics, further reinforcing SMU’s role in fostering impactful partnerships.
Long-Term Sustainability
In line with SMU2025 strategic plan, sustainability has been a key focus for SMU. The University has introduced sustainability literacy into its curriculum and achieved Green Mark certifications for its campus buildings. Internally, Project Optimus is transforming the University’s digital services and systems, while Project Prime is redesigning workspaces to promote collaboration and well-being. These efforts are creating a dynamic and sustainable working environment for SMU’s community.
In addition to infrastructure developments, SMU is committed to supporting its faculty. The University plans to reduce teaching workloads from Academic Year 2026 and expand its faculty numbers, reflecting its dedication to meeting the growing demands of research and postgraduate education.
SMU2025 and Beyond
As SMU approaches its Silver Jubilee in 2025, Professor Kong reflected on the collaborative spirit that has driven the University’s success. In her 2019 address, she called for a shift from "ego" to "eco," from "me" to "we," urging the SMU community to adopt a founder mentality of teamwork, trust, and commitment. This same spirit has been exemplified in the work of the SMU25 Taskforce and the successful launch of the University’s Overseas Centres.
In 2025, SMU will celebrate “25 Years and Beyond,” unveiling a new Vision and Mission to guide the next phase of the University’s growth. Professor Kong encouraged the SMU community to embrace this next chapter with the same collaborative mindset, ensuring SMU’s continued success for years to come.
Comments from members of the audience
PSOUA 2024 was the most upbeat and forward-looking I’ve attended. It took stock of all the good work that’s been done over the past few years, establishing a foundation from which SMU can grow over the next five years. It was very well-attended, often humorous and informal in presentation, and extremely well-executed overall.
Orlando Woods, Professor of Geography, College of Integrative Studies and Director of the Urban Institute
This was my first PSOUA, and the vibe was incredibly contagious and engaging. Samba Masala set the stage with their energetic and joyful drums and dance, which carried over into the intellectual discussions that followed. Having joined SMU just a few weeks ago, my main takeaway is that SMU moves fast, with a lot of exciting initiatives. After getting a sense of the opportunities and the pace of development here, I’m even more eager to contribute. I hope my colleagues felt as energised as I did!
Sabine Benoit, Professor of Marketing (Practice), Lee Kong Chian School of Business
It is timely to reflect and take stock of SMU’s achievements over the past few years. We look forward to the new SMU’s vision and mission statement in 2025, which will inspire us to bring SMU to greater heights.
Seow Poh Sun, Professor of Accounting (Education), School of Accountancy
I really enjoyed PSOU 2024! It started with a real bang (those drums were amazing!) and then maintained that momentum. It was interesting to hear the perspectives of various stakeholders, offering a well-rounded view. I also appreciated how the address celebrated SMU community’s past achievements while inspiring us to look ahead with excitement for the opportunities - and challenges - that lie ahead.
Havovi Joshi, Director, Centre for Management Practice
I truly agree with Prof Kong that we have come a long way since 2019.Prof Kong's emphasis on cultivating a strong community spirit strongly resonated with me. I deeply appreciate the hard work in co-creating a space that strengthens our bond and allows us to work toward a common purpose in a sustainable way. I'm encouraged to continue playing my part on this journey together.
Tee Saw Lay, Assistant Director of Financial Planning & Analysis, Office of Finance
SMU Samba Masala's lively performance created a fantastic atmosphere, and I thoroughly enjoyed the engaging videos that showcased our many accomplishments. A key message was the celebration of our collective achievements in working toward SMU Vision 2025 and the reminder that we must continue collaborating as we enter the next phase of SMU’s development. Personally, it has inspired me to keep striving to make a meaningful impact.
TAY Mui Yen, Senior Manager, Partnership & Branding, SMU Libraries
I really enjoyed how we celebrated SMU's progress while looking ahead to the 25th anniversary. One of the key messages that stood out to me was the emphasis on moving from 'me' to 'we,' which serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of collaboration and trust – values crucial to building a strong community spirit. As we reflect on our 25-year journey, there was a palpable sense of excitement among the audience for the future ahead.
Kelly Goh, President, SMU Student’s Association
