SMU celebrates the graduation of its 15th and largest batch

Singapore, 31 July 2018 (Tuesday) – Singapore Management University (SMU) kicked off four days of graduation celebration for the Class of 2018 today at the Opening Ceremony of SMU Commencement 2018. The ceremony, which was graced by Guest-of-Honour Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Finance, was held on SMU campus today with 1,000 graduates, award winners, as well as family and friends of the graduates in attendance.

SMU Commencement marks the beginning of a new journey for SMU graduates. The 2,907-strong Class of 2018 comprises 1,919 Bachelor’s degree graduates, 930 Master’s degree graduates and 58 Doctorate degree graduates. Among the Bachelor’s degree graduates, 86 will be receiving double degrees. Altogether, they represent SMU’s 15th and largest batch of graduates since the University was established in 2000.

This year, SMU will be presenting pioneer graduates from the following programmes:

The theme of GCG18 is ‘Leave Your Mark’. The graduating donor is invited to pen a message – be it a thank you note or an inspiring quote – which will be engraved onto individual metal plaques along with the donor’s name, and subsequently affixed permanently to the seminar room tables. This way, graduating students inspire the spirit of giving when their fellow juniors see the plaques. Meanwhile, their support will help students from financially less privileged backgrounds benefit from the myriad of experiences that SMU offers. At SMU, we believe that no student should be denied of a quality education, and our collective commitment to students ensures that they have opportunities for development, to discover the full extent of their capabilities.

The SMU Bursary will be awarded in the Academic Year 2018/2019. This year’s collection continues until December 2018.

Ms Sng Jielin, who graduates with a double degree from the School of Accountancy and Lee Kong Chian School of Business, was named the SPH Valedictorian, while Ms Gilaine Ng Rui from the School of Social Sciences was named the SMU Salutatorian. Both stood out with their outstanding leadership skills, significant contributions to co-curricular activities and the community-at-large, good character records and excellent academic results (both achieved Summa Cum Laude).

Each year at the Commencement ceremony, SMU also recognises students from each School who have embraced the values of Commitment, Integrity, Responsibility, Collegiality, Leadership and Excellence with the CIRCLE Awards. Winners of the CIRCLE Awards are also distinguished by their all-round excellence in Student Life, Student Leadership, Community Service and Academic Studies. They have been actively involved in serving and giving back to SMU and the community at large. In addition, they have demonstrated leadership abilities, are upright in character, and well-respected by peers, staff, and faculty.

Addressing graduates from the Lee Kong Chian School of Business who were conferred their degrees this afternoon, SMU Chairman Mr Ho Kwon Ping said, “Diversity among our students and the breadth of our academic programmes are at the foundation of the broad-based, holistic and integrated education that is the hallmark of SMU. Other essential factors are inculcating a sense of social responsibility through an obligation to complete 80 hours of community service before graduating; and encouraging global exposure through business study missions, overseas internships and overseas community service. Over the last few years, we developed our pedagogy through initiatives such as SMU-X to develop collaborative problem-solving skills in tackling real-world challenges.”

In his speech, Mr Ho highlighted the term “Superminds” which was coined by Professor Tom Malone at the MIT Sloan School of Management and author of The Future of Work - a supermind is a group of individual minds that are effective at working together to achieve goals. “I believe that the education you have received at SMU, prepares you to be able to contribute very ably to the tackling the issues faced by your generation as members of a supermind. You are ready to face the world in constant flux, because each one of you has been equipped with a range of soft and hard skill sets, an ability to look at the big picture as you analyse the detail, to use information technology productively and to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team to develop innovative solutions that make a meaningful impact on business and society,” added Mr Ho.

In his remarks to the graduands, SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer said, “You have the analytical skills, creativity, communication skills, focus and determination that prepare you for leadership and success in your future career. All of the hard knowledge you learnt here will be important in the early years of your career. But it is developing SMU graduates’ drive, initiative and “Can Do” attitude that is most valued by employers. These qualities will help you move onwards and upwards in your careers.”

Professor De Meyer urged the graduands to remember that education is a lifelong process. “You have “learnt how to learn” and now need to constantly hone your skills and upgrade your knowledge. We hope that you will continue your lifelong education journey with us, through our rapidly increasing range of postgraduate, executive and professional programmes and the SMU Academy,” he added.

Graduation Class Gift 2018 (GCG18) – supporting the SMU Bursary Fund

Each year, the graduating class comes together to raise funds collectively for the SMU Bursary Fund to support their peers in need. With the target of $80,000 for 2018, all amounts raised will go towards supporting 10 undergraduate students who are facing financial difficulties.