[18 October 2004]
The SMU City Campus on schedule for move in August 2005

First of its kind purpose-built to integrate with environs and with technological features reflecting unique pedagogy

The Singapore Management University (SMU) held a topping out ceremony, signifying the completion of the structural works of its City Campus today. The ceremony was presided by Guest-of-Honour, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister for Education.

The new City Campus, developed over a site of six parcels of land in the downtown Bras Basah area, is on schedule to meet the targeted date of completion in June 2005. When completed, the new campus will occupy approximately 7.76 hectares, comprising six buildings, including a library and administrative block and four Schools – School of Accountancy , the Lee Kong Chian School of Business, School of Economics and Social Sciences and School of Information Systems .

The university will boast state-of-the-art learning and research facilities such as IT-enabled seminar-style classrooms and break-out rooms, simulated trading rooms, research centres, and various learning laboratories including computer, business communication, and language laboratories. The campus will be completely IT-enabled, providing wireless connectivity in line with today's technologically driven age.

Offering more than just technology-enabled classrooms and learning facilities, the City Campus is also designed and built to integrate completely with the surrounding historical and civic districts to become the central focus of Bras Basah Green. In constructing the campus, SMU has spared no effort to preserve and minimise the impact on the existing landscape through an initiative to transplant and replant mature trees in the campus.

Upon completion, the underground walkway which links the various university buildings and the open campus centre will be the central focus of student and public activities, providing an oasis of learning and vibrant intellectual exchange in the midst of the bustling city life.

Commented Prof Howard Hunter, SMU President, “With the Mass Rapid Transit system almost at our doorstep, the business and civic centres in the vicinity, and a host of other educational and art institutions at a stone's throw away, the City Campus will provide a truly distinctive campus lifestyle. Students will be able to tap into a thriving business and arts community while the University in turn provides educational opportunities and research resources in the form of its executive education, tailored programmes and research capabilities.”

As part of the topping out ceremony, guests were invited to tour a mock-up seminar room which showcased SMU's pedagogical approach which encourages critical thinking, active learning and interactive exchange between students and faculty.

The City Campus was conceptualised and designed jointly by Singapore 's KNTA Architects and Britain 's Edward Cullinan Architects, Master Architects for the Bras Basah project, in accordance with an approved master plan. The administrative building is being handled by Cox Architects and Planners and DEG Architects.