The SMU Chamber Choir completed a successful tour at the 4th International Choir Grand Prix in St Petersburg in June 2009, returning with the Silver Cup in the Sacred Music and Folklore categories. Modern dance group, InDanCity, emerged champions at the 14th New Prague Dance Festival in July 2009, trouncing participants from Europe, USA, Asia and South Africa. They won in the Group Contemporary Dance Category and also clinched second place for Best Choreography.

At the 20th Australian International Music Festival in Sydney in July 2009, Symphonia swept Gold in the Symphonic Band Category against competition from six countries. Symphonia was also selected to perform before an audience of over 2,000 at the Sydney Opera House for the festival closing. Caderas Latinas won the Showdance title for the second year running at the 10th Stardust Dancesport Grand Prix in June 2009, sweeping awards in Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba and Paso Doble categories as well.

SMU undergraduate and national sailor Koh Seng Leong received the prestigious Singapore Youth Award in July 2009 for distinction in sports and adventure. A Beijing 2008 Olympic Games participant, Seng Leong is also member of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee and chairs its Youth Engagement Advisory Committee.

The SMU dragonboat team was crowned champions in both the Singapore Dragonboat Festival in July 2009 and the Singapore Dragon Boat Association-Australian Chamber of Commerce 10km Challenge in August 2009.

In September 2009, SMU established collaborative ties with the University of Western Australia for sports and adventure development and exchange. The partnership will strengthen cooperation and friendship between undergraduates of both universities through adventure learning, leadership training and sports management which includes internships and practicum. A new Skins Sports Award has also been established for outstanding SMU athletes to participate in training and sports advancement programmes in Singapore and overseas.