Advancing SMU's Research Goals

Research is a vital element in SMU's drive towards a world-class university. The Office of Research (OR) is the central unit tasked at the university level to establish, enhance and nurture the research culture at SMU. As a catalyst in the conduct and visibility of high quality research at SMU , OR manages the internally-funded research grants of SMU faculty. OR also has the main responsibility of administering the Wharton-SMU Research Centre (WSRC) and coordinating Wharton faculty's research funded by WSRC. OR has been in charged as well with developing and leading SMU's Master/PhD programmes by research. OR also works with all the six schools of SMU, the Centre for Academic Computing and the Li Ka Shing Library in nurturing the research culture in the university through sponsored research projects and conferences and seminars and management of data needs for research.

Since its establishment in 2000, SMU has built up rapidly a university environment that generates high-quality research with professional relevance and applications in Asia and Singapore . OR has managed over 150 faculty research projects supported by internal SMU research funds and these projects have resulted in numerous discussion papers and publications in business, economics, statistics, social sciences, accounting, and information systems management. Today, SMU research grants to faculty continue at a healthy pace on a merit basis, funding faculties' research honoraria, conference expenses, research assistance, data, equipment and other research needs.

There is an active research seminar and discussion paper series throughout the academic year in all four schools of SMU as well as programmes for distinguished visitors at SMU for lectures, public presentations and research collaboration with SMU faculty. The research culture at SMU is further enhanced by active faculty participation in local, regional and international conferences as well as special conferences and seminars organized by SMU. Research among the undergraduate students also has been fostered through independent studies and undergraduate research theses and through student society efforts to initiate publication of an electronic journal of undergraduate research papers.

To foster public awareness of research at SMU, the Office of Research launched an online business journal Knowledge@SMU in May 2007. Knowledge@SMU brings together the latest business insights and research findings from SMU with a strong focus on, and relevance to Asia . Topics covered range from finance and investment, leadership and change, executive education, marketing, health economics, strategic management, law and public policy, to innovation and entrepreneurship.

The online resource is developed in collaboration with Knowledge@Wharton, and is the first Asian academic partner and member of the Knowledge@Wharton Network which originates from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania .

Knowledge@SMU replaces the SMU Knowledge Hub newsletter which ceased publication in May 2007.

Professor David Chan is the Vice Provost (Research, Graduate Studies & Faculty).