[21 August 2004]
Sail with Singapore Management University – An Unique Leadership Programme Through Experiential Learning

The Singapore Management University (SMU) today announced the launch of an unique leadership programme – Student Active Involvement Leadership (S.A.I.L.) – which uses sailing in yachts as a platform for the development of interpersonal, human relations skills and conceptual thinking. S.A.I.L. is one of the offerings of ExPLOR - an initiative by SMU Student Life that creates opportunities for peer leadership through experiential learning. Students undergo a series of broad-based programmes, leveraging various outdoor skill-building platforms to develop their potential for active involvement, appreciating differences, critical thinking, teamwork, personal responsibility, lifelong learning, challenge and communications.

SMU is the first tertiary institution in Singapore and in the region to offer a structured yachting experience as an experiential learning platform for students. S.A.I.L. actively translates and complements classroom-based theories in management, communications, leadership and teambuilding, among others, into real-time hands-on experience on the yachts. In this way, students take advantage of unpredictable outdoor conditions to develop competencies in critical thinking, judgement and strategic decision-making skills, skills which are essential in today’s rapidly changing business environments.

“Through S.A.I.L., we aim to inculcate skills-sets such as problem-solving and critical thinking which are also evident in a corporate setting. In this sea-sport activity, students take on roles which are not unlike those in an organisation where there is a clearly defined chain of command from the Chief Executive Officer (or ‘Skipper’) to the operations (or ‘Crew’). Students get the opportunities to apply what they have learnt in classes into practical scenarios as they learn to unite as a team to navigate through open-waters,” said Mr Stanley Lee, Director of Student Life.

A 40-hour certification programme, S.A.I.L. is designed to fulfill core skills in areas of: command, seamanship knowledge, interpersonal relations, boat handling, risk assessments, navigation, communications, and to top these with a right attitude.

To facilitate greater yachting opportunities, SMU has established a strategic alliance with Raffles Marina Limited (RML), Singapore’s premier marina and nautical lifestyle centre. Working together with RML and its Aseanarean Yachting Academy (AYA), the arrangement will provide a platform for networking, nautical lifestyles, marine hospitality, yachting training and sea sporting activities. In conjunction with this collaboration, SMU has also established a student-run sailing club, known as SMU Sailing, which will have access to RML’s yachts, power boats and safety crafts and facilities for training and competitions in local regattas, waters-sports courses and internships.

Commenting on the collaboration between the marina and SMU, Michael Lee, CEO of Raffles Marina said, “We are delighted to work with SMU on this very worthwhile S.A.I.L. initiative, particularly because it means that more young Singaporeans and others studying at SMU may hone leadership skills and be introduced to many aspects of sailing and power boating, not only in Singapore waters, but also among the beautiful islands of the Aseanarean region.”

Two teams from SMU Sailing will be competing in Raffles Marina’s Western Circuit Regatta on 22 and 29 August. SMU is the first tertiary institution to formally participate in this largest keelboat racing event, featuring not only local boats but regional boats from Australia, New Zealand and Asia, to be held in the waters off Raffles Marina.