Addressing the incoming cohort of 1,613 freshmen at Convocation 2008, Guest of Honour, Dr Noeleen Heyzer, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, spoke about the challenge of how to use leadership to make a difference. From her many years of working closely with leaders from all levels of society - civil and corporate leaders, heads of state, village councils and the UN Security Council—she said she had witnessed the power of idealism and transformation, even though cynicism and shrewdness dominate much world leadership...

"Our world needs individuals who can respond purposefully and imaginatively to the challenges of our time. SMU is one of the rare universities in this region which offers a holistic learning environment that encourages inquiry, participation and teamwork."