Aligned to the SCM, the SMU Pathfinders Programme is designed with three key levels of leadership development in mind: the individual (“Self”), the group (“Self and Team”), and the community(“Self and Community”). The individual component of the model is primarily focused on the personal qualities that are being fostered in each student, the group component focuses on collaboration between the individual and the group, and the community component focuses on bringing about positive social change for the common good. Within the three levels of the leadership development, there are 7 values (also known as the 7C’s of leadership) that are necessary to create positive social change. They are: consciousness of self, congruence, commitment, collaboration, common purpose, controversy with civility and citizenship.

The Pathfinders Programme is underpinned by the Social Change Model of Leadership Development (SCM) (A Social Change Model of Leadership Guidebook, 1996). The SCM’s two primary goals are:

1. To enhance student learning and development and more specifically, to develop in each student participant greater:
   • Self-knowledge: understanding of one’s talents, values, and interests, especially as these relate to the student’s capacity to provide effective leadership.
   • Leadership competence: the capacity to mobilise oneself and others to serve and to work collaboratively.
     To facilitate positive social change at the institution or in the community.

The SCM incorporates the following key assumptions with regard to leadership development:

1. Leadership is a process rather than a position.
2. All students are potential leaders.
3. Leadership should be values-based.
4. Leadership is collaborative.
5. Leadership is concerned with effecting change on behalf of others and society.
6. Service is a powerful vehicle for developing students’ leadership skills.
    

The SMU Pathfinders Programme was launched on 18^th August 2017 with the generous donation from Mr Kuok Khoon Ean. The Programme is aligned to SMU’s Vision 2025 of delivering a transformative education that enables our students to become leaders of tomorrow who effect positive change in the world. The SMU Pathfinders Programme is a student development Programme that comprises a series of curated experiential platforms focusing on the three inter-related domains of the “Self”, “Self and Team” and “Self and the Community”. Conducted both internally by trained SMU staff and by external vendors, the Pathfinders workshops aim to provide additional learning platforms beyond those currently offered to students. Students can either participate out of their own interest or as part of their existing Co-Curricular Activity training programme(s). The SMU Pathfinders Programme seeks to develop values-driven learners, authentic collaborators and responsible global citizens.

The SMU Emerging Artist Award is the result of project initiated and led by the late Professor Winston Koh and alumnus Hong Huazheng as part of SMU’s 10^th anniversary.

The Award seeks to identify passionate and talented artists in the SMU undergraduate community. It recognises the artist's past work and accomplishments, and encourages the artist to continually grow and nurture one’s love and involvement in the arts. The award also aims to raise awareness of the arts within the university.

Since its inception, the SMU Emerging Artist Award was awarded to the following recipients who served as active members in SMU’s vibrant arts and cultural community.

The following students were recipients of the Award:

Student artistes under SMU’s Arts & Cultural Fraternity (ACF) enjoy regular exposure through campus and external events held in Singapore’s arts and heritage belt. Many have represented SMU on the international stage, impressing overseas audiences and garnering prestigious accolades for the university. Some of the fraternity's outstanding achievements and acclaimed productions include:

SMU Challenge is the university's annual community outreach event organised by SMU Special Interest & Community Service Sodality. It provides all SMU students with the chance to interact with beneficiaries on a personal level, understand underlying societal issues and needs, and gain deeper insights in order to support these beneficiaries through their community service projects.

Since its inception in 2008, SMU Challenge has supported beneficiaries such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association Singapore (MDAS), Geylang East Home for the Aged, Society of Moral Charities and Lions Befrienders Service Association. It has also collaborated with the Central Singapore Community Development Council to support the Purple Parade, a movement that promotes inclusiveness, celebrates the abilities of persons with special needs and raises awareness on special needs community in Singapore.

In 2015, the SMU Challenge committee organised a series of Purple Outings, which included visits to the Sports Hub and muffin-baking workshops for members of the Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf), MDAS and the Down Syndrome Association. More than 200 SMU students, alumni, staff and faculty members took part in the finale event - a 7-km 'Walk for Good' walkathon around Marina Bay.

The SMU Challenge committee organised another walkathon on 31 July 2016 in conjunction with Car-Free Sunday. Some 250 SMU students, staff and faculty members took part in the 5-km city walk together with beneficiaries from SADeaf and MDAS, who each received a gift of basic necessities such as rice, biscuits and soy sauce at the end of the event.

Download our e-book to learn more about SMU Challenge and its beneficiaries.