Launched to champion original, cutting-edge research and education in Financial Economics and Financial Econometrics while honouring one of Singapore’s most distinguished pioneers, the Sim Kee Boon Institute for Financial Economics will draw on SMU’s strength and track record in pursuing the study of financial economics.

The Institute aims to be a leading academy for research in Financial Economics, with particular emphasis and attention on Financial Econometrics – a discipline of growing importance and relevance to the financial services sector. To achieve its mission, the Institute will be vested with four key functions: generating cutting edge research, organising training activities, driving education and developing human resources in Financial Economics. The Sim Kee Boon Institute will carry out its work in close collaboration with leading thinkers and academics in economics from around the world as well as international organisations and industry experts. The Institute is the latest addition to SMU’s existing stable of 14 Institutes and Centres of Excellence.

“SMU is very honoured to be able to commemorate the achievements of the late Mr Sim Kee Boon and carry on his legacy with the naming of the new Institute for Financial Economics after him. SMU has made commendable strides in research and education in the economics discipline. The Institute will enable us to do much more especially in the area of Financial Economics which will have impact in Asia and the wider region. We thank Mr Sim’s family for supporting SMU in this major relationship”
– Professor Howard Hunter, President of SMU

Other areas of study include Silver Security, Asset Securitisation in Asia and Investor & Corporate Responsibility. Academic support for these fields will be provided by some of the leading Financial Economics academics and institutions in the world. The SMU School of Economics and the Lee Kong Chian School of Business will regularly host distinguished visitors for the Institute, including several Nobel laureates. The permanent faculty includes several highly regarded experts in Financial Economics and Econometrics. One of the first events coordinated by the Institute and hosted by SMU, was FEMES 2008 – Far Eastern & South Asian Meeting of Econometrics Society on 16-18 July 2008.

To sustain the work of the Institute a Fundraising Advisory Panel has been established. Mr Lim Chee Onn, Executive Chairman of Keppel Corporation and Honorary Patron of the Fundraising Panel of Advisors is supported by a group of thirteen active advisors closely acquainted with the late Mr Sim.

Naming the Institute after the late Sim Kee Boon provides the opportunity to honour a distinguished Singaporean who was deeply involved in the economic development of the country. Mr Sim’s distinguished career spanned both the public and private sectors. Apart from key roles in the Finance Ministry and Communications Ministry between 1968-1984, he was appointed Head of Civil Service from 1979-1984. Following his ‘retirement’ he served as Chairman of both Keppel Corporation and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. In 2000 Mr Sim was appointed a Director of Temasek Holdings. For five years, 2001-2006, he served as a Member of the Council of Presidential Advisors, and was Council Chairman from January 2004 to September 2005. He was highly regarded by his peers and those who worked with him, including Singapore’s Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, who said, “After separation (from Malaysia) in 1965, he [Sim Kee Boon] played an important role in the transformation of our economy from an entrepot centre to a manufacturing and servicing centre. When he retired, he took over as Executive Chairman of a government-linked company, Keppel, which was making losses and in difficulty. He turned it around and went on to build a successful company with global reach.”

“I am proud to be able to lead the fundraising effort to grow this important Institute affiliated to a great mentor and predecessor of mine. His vision and leadership, and his sharp entrepreneurial instincts, had led to the building of the fine air, land and sea transport system that we are enjoying today…I am confident that the SMU leadership will shape the Institute into one of international distinction”
– Mr Lim Chee Onn, Executive Chairman of the Keppel Corporation and Honorary Patron of the Fundraising Panel of Advisors