[12 January 2001]
Singapore Management University First Patron's Day

President SR Nathan attends lectures At Evans Road Campus

PRESIDENT S R Nathan will join first-year students at the Singapore Management University (SMU) for classes at the Evans Road campus. The pioneer batch of undergraduates and Faculty at Singapore's third university will welcome SMU's Patron on his first visit to SMU's temporary campus.

SMU has designated January 12 as Patron's Day, to coincide with the official incorporation of the university exactly one year ago.

To mark its first full year of operation, President Nathan will sample SMU's "smart" lecture rooms. In line with SMU's broad-based and IT-centred curriculum to groom global entrepreneurs and business leaders, President Nathan will attend two classes that provide a glimpse of the integrated approach to "hard" and "soft" skills characteristic of the university's approach. SMU's curriculum is modelled on the renowned Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Class sizes at SMU are small, with a maximum of 40 students in a lecture. President Nathan will sit in on two new courses offered this term. The first, "Technology & World Change", is conducted by Associate Professor Christopher Ting. The Patron will join students in the Media Theatre. The lecture is downloaded as the class progresses and students are able to interact instantaneously with each other and the lecturer as part of the class methodology.

As a contrast, Leadership & Team Building, will involve small group sessions in highly interactive course work. Conducted by Associate Professor Dawn Dekle, Leadership & Team Building is a keystone course offered at the Wharton School as part of its core curriculum for all students. Ass Prof Dekle has just returned from Wharton where she prepared for the course.

Patron's Day will also be an opportunity for President Nathan to tour the Evans Road campus and to mingle with students. The celebration will be marked by a large 20 kg cake, the first slice to be cut by President Nathan. The Patron will join SMU students and faculty for cake and teh tarik towards the end of his special visit on the occasion of the university's first Patron's Day.