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.

Professor Hunter pointed out that in less than a decade, SMU has transformed from an idea, to a university with more than 5,000 alumni, 300 international faculty, city campus, six bachelor’s and 14 postgraduate programmes, 15 research centres and institutes, and many industry partnerships. More importantly, SMU has stayed true to its vision: to create a new kind of university in Singapore with a distinctly different educational experience and to produce articulate, confident and versatile graduates. Research, conferences, thought leadership and academic recruiting are enhanced and strengthened by the various centres and institutes – the key conduit enabling SMU’s interface with the business world and non-academic community.

A year since joining SMU, Provost and Deputy President (Academic Affairs) Professor Rajendra K. Srivastava has devoted considerable effort to develop a clear path and vision for SMU’s academic growth, especially in research and postgraduate, with the able assistance and support of Deputy Provost Professor David Chan and Vice Provost (Undergraduate) Professor Pang Yang Hoong.

Professor Hunter reminded all to keep challenging ourselves as SMU grows from an infant to a remarkable young institution beginning to spread its wings.