Singapore Management University Launches Inaugural SMU Scholarships

Published on 18 August 2003

Singapore Management University (SMU) today announced that it will, for the first time, be awarding 28 SMU Scholarships worth a total of S$1.3 million. The recipients will receive their scholarships at the SMU convocation ceremony tomorrow – an annual event marking the start of the new academic year.

Commenting on the launch of the SMU Scholarships, Associate Professor Low Aik Meng, Dean of Students, SMU, said, “The SMU Scholarships highlight our commitment towards nurturing exemplary students and moulding them into outstanding business leaders and creative entrepreneurs. This year, we saw a marked improvement in the academic achievements of students who applied to study at SMU. To ensure that the learning opportunity is extended to all deserving students, we decided to increase the number of scholarships from an initial planned 15 to 28.”

This year, the student intake boasted a significant improvement in quality of scores, especially at the top level. Four in 10 students have a SAT score above 1300, including 118 students boasting a SAT score above 1400 and a handful who have achieved a perfect score of 1600. This is a remarkable standard, comparable to the world's top universities.

Open to both Singaporean and foreign students, the SMU Scholarships are tenable for up to four years of studies. Each recipient will receive up to S$50,000 over their 4 years in SMU, covering tuition fees, annual cash allowance of S$5,000, and a one-off grant of up to S$3,000 for the purchase of a notebook computer. There are no bonds associated with the SMU Scholarships, except for foreign students who will be obliged to comply with the conditions stipulated by the Ministry of Education’s Tuition Grant Scheme1.

Applicants of the SMU Scholarships have to undergo a stringent selection process. To be eligible for the scholarships, applicants need to possess excellent academic and SAT I scores, and a good record of CCA and/or community service involvement. They also need to demonstrate good leadership and communications skills, and be of commendable character.

For students who wish to study at SMU, there are several scholarships and financial assistance schemes available, such as SMU’s Work-Study Grant, Student Life Financial Grant and sponsored scholarships. In particular, students from mainland China and Hong Kong can apply for the Li Ka Shing Endowed Scholarships.

Established in September last year, the Li Ka Shing Endowed Scholarship Programme is made possible by the generosity of Dr. Li Ka Shing, who provided a S$4.5 million endowment to SMU. The endowment will support up to 8 ongoing scholarships in a year, in perpetuity. The Li Ka Shing scholarships are tenable for up to four years of studies. Each scholarship is worth up to S$40,000 per academic year, covering tuition and university-related fees, books and stationery, notebook computer, accommodation & food, transport and re-location expenses. The first recipients for the scholarship - two students from mainland China - will also be presented with their scholarships at the convocation ceremony.

1Foreign students holding the scholarships are required to apply for the Tuition Grant Scheme offered by the Ministry of Education (Singapore), and sign the Tuition Grant Deed accordingly. Under the Tuition Grant Scheme, the recipient is required to work in Singapore for a period of three years upon graduation.