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There are a number of student clubs and registered societies catering to specific interests and professional development, such as wine appreciation, fishing, mixed martial arts, public speaking, debating and more. The Special Interest & Community Service Sodality (SICS) represents and advises this group of special interest clubs by inculcating a deeper sense of belonging and fostering closer ties among the clubs through joint club activities.

There are another seven self-governing clubs that belong under the Registry of Societies of Singapore. These registered societies promote certain interests and faiths within the SMU student community. SMU supports the activities of these registered societies and permits the use of 'SMU' in their names, but they are not a part of the legal entity of SMU and are thus unable to represent or make any representations on SMU's behalf. Their views and activities are the sole responsibility of the respective registered societies and their members.

SMU Challenge

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.

Special Interest CCA Clubs

Special Interest and Community Service Sodality (SICS) is the Student Constituent Body (CBd) that represents the diverse interest groups and long-term community service groups in SMU. We have 22 clubs in total to enrich your student life. 

Governance, Registered and Independent Clubs

Governance, Registered and Independent (GRI) encompasses a diverse range of clubs including:

  • SMU Students’ Association (SMUSA)
  • Functional Student Bodies
  • Registry of Societies (ROS)
  • Clubs under various SMU Offices, Centres and Institutions 

These clubs provide opportunities for students to contribute directly to the SMU community or external community. Our undergraduates would be able to work and collaborate with various institutions and centres, forming valuable connections and making meaningful impact on the people and communities.  

Sports & Adventure as co-curricular activities (CCAs) provide crucial leadership and unique out-of-classroom learning experience. Through participation in sports, students will be able to develop greater confidence, teamwork and critical thinking essential in both personal and academic development.

As a student, you will learn to lead through activities including club management and development, as well as sports events planning, marketing and implementation. You will also be encouraged to participate in competitions, such as the Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Games, national championships, regional and international games. Competitive athletes may be selected to represent SMU in international competitions.

The sports curricular and activities are organised by the Sports & Adventure Clubs. The sports clubs are supervised by SMU Sports Union (SSU) and the adventure clubs by SMUXploration Crew (SMUX). Both SSU and SMUX are guided by the Office of Student Life, to provide a wide variety of recreational and competitive sports for the students’ development, enrichment and enjoyment.

Sports CCA Clubs

SMU Sports Union (SSU), founded in 2005, is the largest CCA body in SMU with 32 sports clubs and more than 2500 members. We have a wide variety of clubs ranging from popular sports such as Volleyball, Ultimate Frisbee and Golf to more adventurous sports such as Rock Climbing and Sailing.

Adventure CCA Clubs

SMUX is the CCA student constituent body that represents the outdoor and adventure wing of SMU. Established in 2000, we are a tight-knit family of 6 clubs - Biking, Diving, Kayaking, Skating, Trekking and Xseed (board sports)!

SMU's Arts & Culture clubs complement the student academic journey by offering vibrant platforms for creative expression, personal development and community engagement. Residing under the Arts & Cultural Fraternity (ACF), these CCAs cultivate a passion and interest in dance, music, culture as well as the visual, performing, media and literary arts.

As students of the only local university in Singapore’s civic district, members of SMU’s ACF enjoy ample opportunities for strategic partnerships and artistic collaboration with neighbouring museums, institutions and businesses in the arts and heritage belt. As a city university, SMU supports these efforts by funding training opportunities and working with industry professionals to improve the quality and artistry of its arts and cultural clubs.

In addition, students from the arts and culture clubs are regularly invited to perform and showcase their talent at community events, local and international festivals and competitions. Many SMU Arts & Culture clubs have won awards and honours for the university.

Arts & Culture CCA Clubs

The SMU Arts & Cultural Fraternity is a student-led constituent body committed to building a vibrant arts presence in our campus and in the city. Working hand in hand with our 21 clubs, we support our artistes in the promotion and pursuit of their artistic endeavours. Our mission is to strenghten the Fraternity and to build a vibrant arts presense in the City as #onefratonefam. 

SMU Pathfinders Workshops

The SMU Pathfinders Programme was launched on 18th 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 comprises a series of both local and overseas student development programmes, focusing on the three inter-related domains of the “Self”, “Self and Team” and “Self and the Community”. Conducted by trained SMU staff and external trainers, the workshops under the SMU Pathfinders Programme aim to provide transformative experiential learning platforms 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.

Local Pathfinders workshops include Open Call workshops like ‘Developing Habits that Stick’ which taught participants practical techniques that allow them to sustainably achieve the outcomes they desire. The SMU Pathfinders Programme also curates customised workshops in collaboration with various student groups such as EYE Investment Club, Lee Kong Chian School of Business (LKCSB) Student Clubs, Peer Helpers, and SMU Student Association (SMUSA). These workshops range from topics such as cultivating effective communication for team cohesiveness to better understanding of individual strengths to boost emotional resilience.

There are also impactful overseas Pathfinders Programmes, such as the SMU Pathfinders Sustainability Changemakers Overseas Programme and the University Scholars Leadership Symposium (USLS) which are aimed at developing sustainability leaders and change agents. 

Students writing down some habits they struggle with at ‘Developing Habits that Stick’ workshop

Team building activity that required communication amongst the EYE Investment Club members for their ‘Effective Communication for Team Cohesiveness’ workshop

Lee Kong Chian School of Business (LKCSB) students holding up their certificates to commemorate the end of the ‘LKCSB Student Leadership Training’ programme

Sustainability Changemakers Overseas Programme

The SMU Pathfinders Sustainability Changemakers Overseas Programme, launched in 2022, gives participants the opportunity to embark on a life-changing experience where they learn about sustainability practices adopted in another country in Asia – practices that aim to better the community, economy, and the environment. Participants not only get to glean knowledge and perspectives from thought-leaders about the challenges in dealing with sustainability issues, they also get to engage first-hand in sustainability practices and solutions linked to the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals. This Programme aims to develop SMU Sustainability Leaders who use the tools and knowledge gained to champion social and environmental stewardship projects that will make a positive difference on campus and beyond.

In line with SMU Pathfinders Programme’s desired outcomes, the learning objectives for the Sustainability Changemakers Overseas Programme would be for participants to:

  • Develop skills necessary to make an impact on campus, community and in their career
  • Apply principles to understand real-world challenges and global perspectives
  • Apply strategies to take up leadership roles and effect positive and meaningful change 

A group photograph of the 2022 Sustainability Changemakers Overseas Programme student participants and staff in Bali, Indonesia

Participants involved in the reforestation project in Bukit Indah, Bali

Participants learning about the ridge-to-reef approach in the Bukit Indah Reforestation and Watershed Regeneration Project

Learn more about the SMU Pathfinders Sustainability Changemakers Overseas Programme.

University Scholars Leadership Symposium (USLS)

The annual University Scholars Leadership Symposium (USLS) brings hundreds of youth delegates together, where ideas grow, collaborations take place and diverse voices unite for a better world. At USLS, delegates get the opportunity to network with like-minded peers from around the world who are passionate and committed to positive social change. USLS nurtures emerging world leaders by giving them the confidence to lead sustainable development projects to address issues such as poverty, climate change and inequality.

Delegates at the United Nations Conference Centre

Mangrove planting activity on Kindness Day, where USLS delegates contribute to the advancement of the People and the Planet through volunteerism that advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The USLS delegates getting ready to prepare a vegetarian Pad Kra Pao at The Courageous Kitchen, a non-profit organisation that offers food aid and food education to the less privileged

THRIVE Workshop Series

The THRIVE Workshop series is a student development programme that revolves around six pillars:

The topics for THRIVE Workshops are curated to address the 6 dimensions of resilience in the SMU Resilience Framework as we adopt a proactive approach towards promoting students’ holistic wellbeing. Some of the THRIVE workshops are conducted as ‘Lunch and Learn’ sessions, with bento lunches provided so that students can nourish themselves as they gain valuable knowledge from expert trainers.

Examples of past THRIVE workshops include ‘Optimising your LinkedIn Profile’, where students learned from LinkedIn representatives on how to enhance their LinkedIn profiles and the best practices to effectively garner greater outreach. In the ‘Investing Demystified: Strategies and Tips for Beginner Investors’ workshop, students were introduced to the role investing plays in one’s overall financial planning and how to identify and manage the possible risks of investing.

Students learning tips on how to enhance their LinkedIn profile at ‘Optimising your LinkedIn Profile’ workshop

Group photograph of participants at the ‘Investing Demystified: Strategies and Tips for Beginner Investors’ workshop

At SMU, we believe in the strength of peer support and the power of community. Launched in late 2023, the SMU Peer Well-Being Network brings together passionate student groups to foster well-being, resilience and a caring campus culture.

This network currently comprises:

Each group contributes its unique strengths to support fellow students through peer engagement, advocacy and a shared commitment to student well-being. Coordinated by Student Care Officers, the network ensures efforts are aligned and responsive to the evolving needs of the student community.

What We Do

The SMU Peer Well-Being Network empowers students to support one another through purposeful peer-led initiatives. Whether it's offering a listening ear or creating spaces for important conversations, our members are here to make a difference.

Here's how each group contributes:

  • SMU Peer Helpers provide one-on-one peer support, offering a safe and empathetic space for emotional and mental well-being concerns.
  • Voices Student Advocates lead conversations around harassment, bullying and discrimination, encouraging openness and student empowerment.
  • Student Council of Discipline promotes character development based on SMU’s CIRCLE Values to uphold the interest and welfare of students.
  • SMU Purple drives inclusive practices and behaviours, with a strong focus on disability awareness and advocacy.
     

Stay Tuned!

Keep an eye out for upcoming Peer Well-Being Network initiatives around campus from pop-up booths and outreach events to engaging campaigns, designed by students, for students!

Past Events/Roadshows

Student representatives at the Peer Well-being Network’s Digital Well-being Roadshow in Feb 2025, with Guest-of-Honour MOS Rahayu Mahzam (second from right)

Student representatives at the Peer Well-being Network engaging with peers

Students from the Peer Well-being Network enjoying an icebreaker at a Chill & Connect session

To support students in achieving their potential, as well as personal and academic successes, SMU is committed to building a resilient community by providing encouragement, support and assistance to students and promoting students’ holistic wellbeing.

In SMU, there are dedicated Student Care Officers (SCOs) who actively engage with students to help address stressors (e.g. transition challenges) and develop their abilities to make well-informed choices towards a flourishing life. Student Care Officers are involved in the operationalisation of the SMU Resilience Framework – such as planning and executing wellbeing initiatives and early intervention measures that include education, prevention, and outreach programmes.

CHECK IN WITH US!

Look out for the SCOs as they roam the campus in their regular outreach, offering encouragement and snack treats to students. You can also catch them at campus roadshows, where they dispense tips to empower students to take charge of their own wellbeing.

You can also get in touch with the Student Care Officers at studentcare@smu.edu.sg or via Instagram @sgsmu.studentcare.

Past Events/Roadshows

Student Care & Support Services roadshow at Voices Week

Roadshow focusing on financial and career resilience

Rewarding students with some treats for taking part in the SCO booth activities

Students offering encouraging words to their peers during the Exam Angels Programme

Students enjoying various activities organized by the SCOs as part of the Exam Angels Programme

Towards a Transformative Education – SMU’s Co-Curricular Transcript 

From its inception, SMU has been committed to grooming global-ready graduates through a holistic and transformative education. At SMU, learning objectives from the various co-curricular platforms are aligned to the SMU Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLO). A culture of meaningful reflection is promoted, with the aim of guiding students in deepening and documenting their learning. In so doing, we empower students to enhance self-awareness and articulate areas of personal growth.

From 2025, all students will receive a Co-Curricular Transcript upon graduation, which will complement their academic transcript. Apart from documenting out-of-classroom activities that students have participated in, this Transcript offers insights into the skillsets that they have developed in the process. The transcript will indicate the extent of growth of a graduate in the identified Graduate Learning Outcome (see Fig. 1) according to three levels of learning – Exposure, Integration and Transformation, with each level indicating a progressively more impactful experience.

This initiative demonstrates SMU’s commitment to providing a transformative education through developing holistic graduates with career-ready skills.

Transcript examples

Articles regarding the Co-Curricular Transcript

Click to view enlarged version in new window.

Integrated Co-curricular Management System (ICMS)

The Integrated Co-curricular Management System (ICMS) is the university’s dedicated online platform that facilitates students’ co-curricular learning journey by enabling them to document and in so doing, deepen, their learning and personal growth.

Through the ICMS, students are able to track their participation records, document their learning through reflections, and build their co-curricular transcript all while taking part in a diverse range of experiential learning activities. 

For more information on ICMS or the Co-Curricular Transcript, contact us at: ICMS@smu.edu.sg

Co-Curricular Activities is a hallmark of the SMU experience. From its inception, SMU has been committed to grooming global-ready graduates through a holistic and transformative education.

SMU is the first local University to introduce both internship and community service as graduation requirements. All SMU undergraduates are required to complete at least 10 weeks of internship and a minimum of 80 hours of community service.

Beyond these mandatory activities, SMU students can choose from a wide array of experiential learning opportunities, such as joining one or more of the 150 student organisations that span the arts, sports, student leadership and special interest areas. There is also a plethora of personal and leadership development opportunities – from taking part in workshops to participating in overseas leadership programmes and symposiums. 

SMU Alumni Reflecting on their Co-Curricular Experiences

Value of Co-Curricular Activities

Experiential education - powerful real-world context for students to take charge of their own learning

Develop real-world employability skills and social skills

Networking opportunities

A platform for students to critically reflect upon and expand their perspectives

A Purposeful & Self-directed Journey

Co-curricular Learning in SMU is designed to be a purposeful and self-directed journey. The SMU Co-Curricular Learning Cycle aims to generate, deepen, measure and document learning in the co-curricular space.

As part of SMU’s vision of providing a transformative education, experiential learning is enhanced to align the various co-curricular experiences to learning outcomes based on the University’s Graduate Learning Outcomes and career competencies valued by employers.

Co-curricular Learning Modules

As part of the three-pronged approach to foster resilience in students, SMU seeks to educate students by imparting relevant knowledge and skills.

The Co-Curricular Development Unit curates and designs a range of online learning resources that enable students to broaden their knowledge and skillsets, thereby advancing personal development. Such skills are transferrable to a range of post-university settings, including workplaces.

These modules are bite-sized and can be completed at students’ own pace and time.

Note that a SMU login is required to access these modules.

Internationalisation @ Home Modules

These modules provide valuable insights into each Asian country’s culture, history, economy, and work environment. Designed to enhance students’ understanding of the Asian context, they are helpful for students planning to embark on overseas activities such as community service, internships, or an exchange.

Wellness Modules

Strengthening the resilience and overall wellbeing of students is key to enabling their continued success both academically, and in their personal lives. These resources are provided to enable students to develop life and coping skills when confronted with everyday stressors and during particularly challenging circumstances.

Managing The Self Modules

Besides academic stressors, students can sometimes find themselves having difficulty in aspects of daily life. These modules aim to equip students to manage everyday stressors that they may encounter.

Developing Healthy Relationships Modules

University life opens up new social settings and contexts that can be daunting and unfamiliar. These resources help students understand how to manage different types of relationships effectively in order to maintain healthy connections.

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