[10 May 2005]
Singapore-based FACT Software Recruits Largest Pool of SMU Interns for Marketing Campaign
19 students will spearhead 3-pronged marketing campaign which will be followed by the largest-ever staff recruitment programme by accounting software company

Singapore-based FACT Software International (FACT Software) announced today it has recruited 19 interns from the Singapore Management University (SMU) in a collaborated effort to draw on undergraduate resources to review and develop a new marketing drive for its regional market. The programme will see the students taking on major roles in marketing the state-of-the-art FACT Realtime Accounting Software in the region.

FACT Software has signed on the students from various faculties in the internship programme, the second time the Singapore based company is tapping on the knowledge and expertise of SMU students.

In an unprecedented move, the students will spearhead the conceptualization and execution of a full-fledged marketing campaign that focuses on three core areas – strategic liaisons, business development and customer care.

The internship will be followed by a large-scale recruitment of permanent staff to carry forward the marketing programme as a vital component of FACT's new business model.

"SMU strongly believes in exposing our students through internship to the dynamic world of business especially entrepreneurship . This partnership with FACT Software is an excellent opportunity whereby SMU students can practice what they have learnt, explore possibilities, be stretched to the limits and realise their potential while totally immersed in a real business environment. Under the personal mentorship of Mr Agarwalla, our students will learn the ropes on how to conduct businesses with local and regional clients," said Mrs Ruth Chiang, Director, Office of Career Services, SMU.

Mr. Arvind Agarwalla, FACT Software's CEO, said: “We are very excited by this internship programme which has scored several firsts. Besides being a win-win partnership between SMU and FACT Software, we are entrusting very critical roles to students involving marketing strategies. This programme will impact revenue growth significantly and also be a precursor to significant changes in our growth strategy.”

“These students are very bright and have lots of initiative and talent which we believe can be harnessed by FACT Software as it seeks to outline its strengths and uniqueness to existing and potential customers in Singapore and the region.”

The new interns' first challenge will be to realign existing partnerships and forge new ones to consolidate FACT Software's positioning in the industry. This will be simultaneously accompanied by an aggressive sales strategy to deepen penetration in existing markets and enter new markets. Some partnerships and deals have already been finalised and will materialise by the end of May.

The team of interns, led by Mr Shashank Nigam (second year double degree student in Information Systems Management and Business Management) and Ms Prajakta Khakar ( first year double degree student in Economics and Information Systems Management) who have been appointed Project Managers, will work for four months at FACT Software's Singapore office and report directly to Mr Agarwalla.