SMU has created a distinctly different educational experience and is ready for exciting times as it grows from an infant to a remarkably young institution.

Singapore needs a larger pool of talent trained at the postgraduate level, especially doctorates, to carry out university research as well as perform key roles in the industry. Recognising this national need, SMU is refining its research and postgraduate direction towards drawing in top quality graduate students; increasing opportunities for Ph.D. education; and the recruitment of more experienced and senior faculty for postgraduate teaching and to occupy positions as faculty directors of research centres and institutes. Sharing this at the annual State of the University Address on 21 August 2009, Professor Howard Hunter, President of SMU highlighted the successful launch of the MBA and Juris Doctor programmes which were well-received. Both have a current enrolment of 60 and 28 respectively.

For now, SMU continues to remain a mid-sized management university with an enrolment of over 6,000 undergraduates and about 1,500 postgraduates. It will not evolve into a comprehensive university but will grow organically around the existing six Schools. More emphasis will be placed on the growth of postgraduate and research activities.