Showing
26 - 50 of 77 Records
Display:
SMU Eurhythmix reimagines tradition in high‑energy RE:TURN showcase for SMU's Jubilee celebration
- On 20 September 2025, SMU Eurhythmix (EMIX) — the university’s oldest and largest dance club, also celebrating its own 25th anniversary — staged Return of RE:TURN at Drama Centre Theatre. The full-length dance production fused hip hop with classical Malay, Indian, and Chinese dance vocabularies. Under the mentorship of established choreographers, students explored how heritage forms could be reimagined through contemporary movement, creating a dialogue between the past and present. Return of RE:TURN showcased not just the technical skill of SMU’s dancers, but also their ability to use performance as a medium for cultural storytelling. The performance opened with a modern prelude that explores the influence of social media in the dance amongst the youth, using trendy Tik-Tok favourite tracks ranging from K-pop to Billboard hits. At a point, the dancers performed behind a softly lit translucent screen animated with social‑media imagery.
Celebrating 25 Years of Impact: An Inspired Journey (Extended version)
- From an ambitious idea to a trailblazer in education, research, and innovation—SMU has spent 25 years pushing boundaries, creating impact, and empowering future-ready changemakers. Celebrating the evolution of Singapore Management University since its inception in 2000, this video features interviews with founders, pioneers, students, alumni and partners who have fuelled our journey as they reminisce their unique experiences with the University. It also includes congratulatory messages from former Presidents, Deans, Alumni, Industry partners, the Minister of Education, and more.
Part of the 25x25 exhibition at SMU de Suantio Gallery in the 2025 Arts Festival
- The exhibition 25x25 spotlights a new wave of student creativity, featuring visual and literary responses to 25 works from the SMU Art Collection. Curated in collaboration with SMU Libraries, it invites cross-medium dialogue and fresh interpretations of the themes explored in the original artworks. Under the mentorship of artists Deanna Ng and Susie Wong, and poet Yong Shu Hoong, each student artist develops their own method and perspective, whether responding directly to the theme and subject of the artwork, or drawing parallel threads to their personal biographies and lived experiences. The exhibition was on view from 22 Aug 2025 to 6 Sep 2025 at SMU de Suantio Gallery.
Putting things into my head : a zine on display in the 25x25 exhibition at SMU de Suantio Gallery during the 2025 Arts Fest
- This is a pdf capture of the zine created by Janice Loke for the 2025 Arts Fest 25x25 exhibition which contains a poetry inspired by Bill Woodrow's sculpture "Sitting on History I" (2003). "I initially thought the ball-and-chain shackling a book in Bill Woodrow’s Sitting on History I (2003) made a mockery of Singapore’s stressful education system where students feel trapped and have nowhere to go. However, the artist’s notes gave me a new perspective. It’s not so much the artwork, but rather, the perspective of the viewer that makes interpreting art so dynamic. While writing this piece, I named it “Uncultured Swines” originally as I placed myself in my persona’s shoes. Here, my persona is from a rural village where patriarchy and misogyny are prevalent. Her guile and her thirst for education makes her an outcast as she doesn’t fit into their vision for girls. With my anger towards such unfairness happening in the real world even till now, I had decided to use that insult as the title. It was after discussing with my mentor that I realised I’ve unironically fallen into the trap of literally restraining myself to my persona’s viewpoint, just like the ball-and-chain imagery of the sculpture. Hence, I decided to try for a more neutral approach and ended up choosing Putting things into my head as the final title. Additionally, I believe this decision adds depth to my persona’s character as she flits around her new findings and propriety." - Janice Loke, Year 3, School of Accountancy
Movement and Memory : a zine on display in the 25x25 exhibition at SMU de Suantio Gallery during the 2025 Arts Fest
- This is a pdf capture of the zine created by Mack Rei for the 2025 Arts Fest 25x25 exhibition which contains a poetry inspired by Aung Ko’s artwork "We Are Moving" (2013) and Ba Khine's "Living in Harmony (Temples)" (2014). "Movement and Memory is a poetry cycle inspired by two paintings from Myanmar: Aung Ko’s We Are Moving (2013) and Ba Khine’s Living in Harmony (2014). Both artworks highlight collective movement, but from opposing directions; one being born of fear, and the other grounded in ritual. I began to ponder what it means to move together when you are running from something, or walking toward something sacred. My initial response came in bits of poetry. Some pieces include voices from philosophy and history, with fragments of Locke, Benjamin, and Bashō echoing how memory is layered and incomplete. Others lean into rhythm and breath, reflecting the quiet continuity in Ba Khine’s work. The poems gradually came together as a cycle. They can be read on their own or in pairs, unfolding across moments of tension and rest. The pieces responding to Aung Ko’s painting are tighter and more fragmented, mirroring the urgency of the scene. Those written in response to Ba Khine’s are more spacious, carried by a different kind of weight. Both works raise questions about how people gather, how they endure, and what kind of road is left behind when memory carries both trauma and tradition." - Mack Rei, Year 4, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
Introducing 25 X 25 Art Exhibition
- A video featuring Ms Kamiliah Bahdar, Curator with SMU Libraries, introduces the concept behind the 25 X 25 Art Exhibition held at SMU de Suantio Gallery as part of the 2025 Arts Festival. The video also includes reflections from Ms Alexis Lim, a Year 3 student artist from the Yong Pung How School of Law, who shares her experience participating in the exhibition. The exhibition showcases 25 diverse artworks created in response to pieces from the SMU Art Collection, in collaboration with SMU Libraries. This year’s exhibition spotlights a new wave of student creativity, featuring visual and literary responses to 25 works from the SMU Art Collection. Curated in collaboration with SMU Libraries, it invites cross-medium dialogue and fresh interpretations of the themes explored in the original artworks.
Featuring the highlights of SMU Arts Festival in its Jubilee year
- In 2025, the SMU Arts Fest takes center stage with two significant milestones in Singapore’s history: the 25th Anniversary of Singapore Management University and the 60th birthday of the nation. The theme, 2560, carries deep symbolis —“25” celebrates SMU’s remarkable 25-year journey, embodying the university’s youthful spirit and its aspirations for the future. “60” pays tribute to Singapore’s resilience, growth, and identity as a vibrant global city. Together, the theme bridges tradition and innovation, connecting past achievements with future aspirations. To commemorate these milestones, staff, students, alumni, and collaborative partners have curated a programme that celebrates in all things Singaporean—from the nation’s rich cultural heritage to its diverse communities. It will also provide a platform to recognise the inspirations and accomplishments of our forebears, fostering meaningful dialogue between the young and old, through collective shared experiences. This video features the festival's key highlights, including the opening ceremony ; the 25x25 Art Exhibition ; the Live, Laugh, Lor dance and music showcase ; the Food Village ; Commissions, a performance by the SMU Chinese orchestra ; a dance production by the SMU dance club RETURN and MAD, a theatrical musical featuring staff, students and alumni.
Rentak reviving childhood melodies through Malay traditional percussions and music
- Live, Laugh, Lor brought together all Singapore universities for the first time in an energetic four‑night collaboration with the Singapore Night Festival, showcasing the rhythms of contemporary Singaporean identity. The photo features Rentak (which means Rhythm), the percussion wing of SMU Malay Language and Cultural Club (MLCC), sharing the rich heritage of traditional Malay percussion and music with the community. Their performance offered a heartfelt return to cherished childhood melodies, weaving warm, nostalgic medley of familiar tunes with the use of Angklung and percussions to celebrate the instruments and music that shaped many early memories. Rentak was formed in 2016 with the aim of sharing their love of Malay percussion and music with audiences from all walks of life. Since then, their early percussion works have expanded into a wider repertoire inspired by the diverse sounds of the Nusantara, incorporating nuances of Minangkabau, Javanese and Arabic musical traditions, among many others. Each song is thoughtfully crafted to stretch their musical capabilities, spark joy, and uplift both the performers and the communities they play for.
SMU Eurhythmix dancers blend hip hop and heritage forms in Return of RE:TURN, a full-length production honouring the club’s 25th anniversary
- Return of RE:TURN is a high energy dance production that explores the disappearing grammar of traditional Malay, Indian and Chinese dance finding its way to influence, evolve and turn dance genres like hip-hop into fresh and exciting possibilities. Featuring the largest dance club, this production celebrates SMU Eurhythmix (EMIX) marking its 25th anniversary alongside SMU25 and SG60. In collaboration with choreographer and Chinese dancer Ms Pang Xin Yi (left in picture), the EMIX dancers embraced a quieter, more refined expression of strength and grace, marked by poised control over overt spectacle, for the Chinese performance.
SMU President giving a welcome address at SMU Jubilee Arts Festival in 2025
- Professor Lily Kong, President of Singapore Management University (SMU), delivered the welcome address at the opening of the SMU Arts Festival 2025, a rare occasion graced by the gathering of senior leaders from Singapore’s universities, alongside the Chief Executive Officer of the National Heritage Board and a former Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore. Behind Professor Kong stood the festival banner bearing the theme 2560, which commemorates two significant milestones in Singapore’s history: the 25th anniversary of SMU and the nation’s 60th year of independence. The theme 2560 carries a rich symbolism. “25” marks SMU’s remarkable 25-year journey, reflecting the university’s youthful spirit, achievements, and forward-looking aspirations. “60” pays tribute to Singapore’s resilience, growth, and evolving identity as a vibrant global city. Together, the theme weaves tradition and innovation, bridging past achievements with future aspirations. The festival also represents an unprecedented historic moment, bringing together all eight universities in Singapore—NUS, NTU, SIM, SIT, SMU, SUTD, SUSS, and UAS—in a collective artistic collaboration. United by creativity and shared purpose, this collaboration powerfully expresses solidarity and inclusivity through the arts, underscoring the unifying role of culture within the nation’s higher education landscape.
Creative team and cast of MAD The Musical take a bow on opening night
- The creative team and cast of MAD The Musical take a bow on opening night — a triumphant close to SMU Arts Festval 2025’s six-week celebration of youth and imagination. The festival reached its peak with the premiere of MAD The Musical, staged from 26 to 28 September at the Drama Centre Theatre. Marking SMU’s first-ever original musical, the production was built on an original script conceptualised by Jo Tan, featured original songs by Jimmy Ye, and was directed and choreographed by George Chan and Andy Benjamin Cai respectively. Bringing together students, alumni, and even staff, MAD was more than a stage production—it was a coming‑of‑age moment for a new generation of storytellers. Blurring the boundaries between past and present, institution and imagination, the musical struck a resonant chord, with its anthem Mad About quickly emerging as a crowd favourite for its layered harmonies and stirring message of passion and conviction.
SMU-X team in the 2024/2025 INDEX Symposium held in CUHK Business School, Hong Kong
- From L - R : Gloria Zhang, Joyce Tay, Kevin Koh (Head), Yuanto Kusnadi (Academic Director), Derek Chiang, Emmaline Lim (Deputy-Head), John Tay. SMU-X team with Professor Kusnadi at the 2024/2025 INDEX Symposium in Hong Konog. Launched by SMU's SMU-X team in 2023, the INDEX Symposium was created as a platform to foster collaboration between academia and industry. With its second edition, SMU-X joined forces with CUHK Business School to expand this global dialogue, reaffirming its commitment to advancing experiential education through interdisciplinary partnerships.
SMU-X won the Outstanding Industry–Academia Collaboration Award (Higher Education) at EDUtech Asia 2025
- On 6th November, Mr Kevin Koh, Head, SMU-X, Singapore Management University, received the Outstanding Industry–Academia Collaboration Award (Higher Education) from Mr Allan Wong, Director of Information Technology, Hong Kong Baptist University, at EDUtech Asia 2025. The landmark event, held at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, marked its 10th year as one of Asia’s leading platforms for education innovation. The award honours higher education institutions that have forged innovative, scalable and forward-looking partnerships with industry to develop groundbreaking programmes or research partnerships, and SMU-X has once again been acknowledged as a model for transforming learning with real-world impact, highlighting the its long-standing commitment to experiential learning and meaningful engagement with industry and community partners.
SMU wins prestigious THE Awards Asia 2025 – Teaching & Learning Strategy of the Year
- SMU's Vice President (Partnerships & Engagement) Prof Lim Sun Sun receiving the prestigious award on behalf of the University. Singapore Management University (SMU) is proud to announce that it has been named Winner in the ‘Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year’ category at the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Asia 2025. The accolade was awarded in recognition of SMU-X, the University’s flagship industry project-based experiential learning framework that integrates academic knowledge with real-world industry projects. It marks a significant milestone for SMU-X, pioneered 10 years ago as a differentiating pedagogy, underscoring the University’s longstanding commitment to redefining learning through interdisciplinary, collaborative, and experiential approaches.
Introducing "Live, Laugh, Lor", a 4-night showcase with the Singapore Night Festival
- "Live, Laugh, Lor" unites all Singapore universities for the first time on one stage in a dynamic 4-night showcase with the Singapore Night Festival, celebrating the rhythms of contemporary Singaporean identity. It is also a programme of SMU's 2025 Arts Festival. Held at SMU Campus Green, the vibrant music and dance event celebrates the rhythms of contemporary Singaporean identity through a rich line-up of collaborative performances. Highlights include a five-university dance ensemble and a three-institution acapella act, reflecting the diverse and evolving expressions of Singapore’s cultural landscape. In this video, Mr Andy Benjamin Cai, Creative Producer of the event, and Ms Sim Wen Jing Steph, a second-year student from the Lee Kong Chian School of Business, share their insights on the show.
SMU Chinese Orchestra performs in COMMISSIONS, a concert celebrating SMU25 and SG60
- Under the baton of Mr Heng Xiangle (pictured), Mr Quek Ling Kiong and Mr Wilson Neo, the SMU Chinese Orchestra (SMUCO) performed in COMMISSIONS, a concert celebrating SMU’s track record of commissioning orchestral works — including three world premieres. SMU had consistently supported local talent by commissioning new orchestral compositions. To celebrate SMU25 and SG60, the SMU Chinese Orchestra presented a special concert featuring commissioned works from past years alongside multicultural pieces that celebrated Singapore’s rich diversity. The programme included three world premieres of original commissions and guest players, including The Purple Symphony, underscoring SMU’s commitment to inclusion. Since its inception in 2009, SMUCO has distinguished itself through various cross-disciplinary works and creative programming under the baton of Mr Quek Ling Kiong. In 2019, the orchestra marked its 10th anniversary with the commemorative concert Perfect 10 – FM SMUCO. Despite the interruption of live performances during COVID‑19, SMUCO remained agile and imaginative, presenting virtual productions such as the 2020 showcase "To Gather" as part of the SMU Arts Festival. In 2022, the orchestra made its return to the stage with Spring Rhapsodies. Today, SMUCO is led by its principal conductor Mr Heng Xiangle, who trained under Mr Quek Ling Kiong and made his conducting debut at the age of 21.
Celebrating cultural confluence with Dan Bau in the orchestral production COMMISSIONS
- Guest musician Mr. Dinh Cao Tue is a Viet–Vietnamese creative and arts practitioner based between Singapore and Vietnam. Apart from writing, he performs on the Dan Bau, a traditional Vietnamese single‑string instrument, through which he explores and shares stories of cultural confluence. Tue has participated in numerous intercultural arts projects within his university’s arts groups as well as in various initiatives across Singapore. In celebration of SMU25 and SG60, the concert commissioned works from past years alongside multicultural pieces celebrating Singapore’s rich diversity. The programme includes three world premieres of original commissions written specially for SMU25 and SG60, a multicultural music segment and performances by guest musicians --including artists from Singapore’s Purple Symphony. It reaffirmed SMU’s long-standing tradition of commissioning local works, a rare initiative for a non-conservatory university. The concert also features unique instruments from Asian countries where SMU has her overseas centers -- Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, highlighting SMU’s commitment to inclusion and cultural exchange. The Đàn bầu (or Dan Bau) is a distinctive Vietnamese monochord, a one‑stringed zither celebrated for its haunting, voice‑like tones created through harmonic techniques. Traditionally crafted from bamboo, a gourd, and a flexible rod, it has long held a central place in Vietnamese folk music, often accompanying poetry recitations and storytelling. Contemporary versions often crafted with metal and wood, incorporate electric pickups to enhance projection and sound quality.
Five-university dance crew delivers electrifying high energy performances to the stage of Live, Laugh, Lor
- For the first time in the history of the Singapore Night Festival, all eight higher education institutions—including NUS, NTU, SUTD, SIT, SUSS, UAS, SIM, and SMU—shared a common stage in the vibrant music and dance showcase held at SMU's campus green. The area burst into life as thousands gathered to watch the performace Live, Laugh, Lor. More than a showcase of performances, the event became a celebration of togetherness, capturing the very essence of SG60: a story of unity, vibrancy, and youth expression. The featured photograph captures Dreamwerkz, the resident street dance club from SIM. Their performance took audiences on a high‑octane dance journey through Singaporean culture—from the thrill of a first‑class SIA flight, to a warm welcome by locals, and finally a festive finale at Sentosa Beach—honouring movement, diversity, and the joy of Singaporean identity.
25x25, a multidisciplinary art exhibition in collaboration with SMU Libraries
- (From left) Professor Kwok Kian Woon, Vice-Chancellor of UAS; Professor Lily Kong, President of SMU; and Mr Shuvan Sasidharan, a student from the SMU Ambassadorial Corps, appreciating Silent Nature, an artwork by student artist Hadirah Binte Mohd Hazarul, featured in the 25x25 Exhibition as a part of SMU's 2025 Arts Festival. The exhibition highlighted a new wave of student creativity, presenting visual and literary responses to 25 works from the SMU Art Collection. Curated in collaboration with SMU Libraries, the exhibition, held in SMU's de Suantio Gallery, fosters cross-medium dialogue and offers fresh interpretations of themes explored in the original artworks. Silent Nature, comprising photo prints on foam board, was inspired by Bernar Venet’s 2004 sculpture 97.5° Arc x 8. The sculpture was installed at SMU's campus green as a gift from Dato' Kho Hui Meng in 2015. "When I first saw Bernar Venet’s 97.5° Arc x 8 (2004), I was skeptical due to its simplicity. Alas, beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. Venet’s sculpture aims to capture the process behind it, rather than the aesthetic of it. I was soon inspired by the concept art that Venet is presenting: the effect of nature and time. How nature slowly yet surely alters the man-made structure surrounding them, shaping it to conform and accept nature. Through my artwork, I aimed to capture the subtle yet powerful signs of decay that are seen in our daily lives, yet often overlooked. To remain true to the theme, all the photographs that I took and displayed were raw, unedited shots." -- Hadirah Binte Mohd Hazarul, Year 2, School of Accountancy.
SMU establishes new scholarship with S$3 million gift from Mrs Margaret Chan-Lien
- SMU President, Professor Lily Kong (Right), presented a bouquet of flowers to Mrs Margaret Chan-Lien (Left), expressing her deep gratitude to the generous S$3 million endowed gift for the Margaret Chan-Lien International Exchange Scholarship programme, which will make available 20 new scholarships for students with financial challenges to pursue international student exchange programme. This landmark contribution reinforces the University’s commitment to enabling students with financial needs to broaden their worldview and deepen their global perspectives, and equipping them to thrive in an interconnected world. The opportunity will also expand their network and may open doors to new possibilities that will uplift their aspirations, future careers and families.
SMU undergraduates build sustainability competencies through urban farming in sustainability law elective course
- Assoc Prof Liu Nengye (standing), with students from the 'Introduction to Sustainability Law' elective. The course was co-convened by Yong Pung How School of Law’s Associate Professors Michelle Lim and Liu Nengye, and taught in partnership with SMU’s Office of Campus Infrastructure and Services (OCIS). The aim was to build students’ nature connectedness and sustainability competencies.
SMU Yong Pung How School of Law clinches victory at prestigious international moot competitions
- (Front row, L-R) Raelee Toh, Erica Wee, Elizabeth Ho, Genieve Wu. (Back row, L-R) Alexander Kamsany Lee, Fu Qiyuan, Lovein Sui, Assoc Prof Chen Siyuan. Absent in photo - Asst Prof Nicholas Liu, who coached the team. The SMU 2025 Jessup moot team with their Coach and Directors of the Ian R Taylor International Moots Programme after winning the championship trophy. This programme has nurtured generations of mooters who have earned numerous world-class accolades, enabling it to consistently excel at the most prestigious international moots.
SMU strengthens career readiness with co-curricular transcript and lifelong career support
- At the SMU Co-Curricular Symposium 2025, Professor Alan Chan, SMU Provost (left), and Education Minister Chan Chun Sing (right) celebrated SMU's dedication to providing transformative education through impactful co-curricular learning. The event marked a historic milestone with the announcement that the 2025 graduates will be the first cohort to receive SMU’s Co-Curricular Transcript (CCT), a pioneering initiative in Singapore that formally documents students' co-curricular achievements and skills developed. Additionally, all SMU degree holders will have access to Lifelong Career Support, including career coaching, networking opportunities, and job placement resources from the Dato' Kho Hui Meng Career Centre (DKHMCC), ensuring career resilience beyond graduation.
AIP+ students and industry leaders connected at Industry Engagement Session in August 2025
- Students participating in the AIP+ programme had the opportunity to engage with industry leaders during the Industry Engagement Session in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The session included a keynote address and a panel discussion focused on talent development and future-ready skills. Representatives from leading companies such as Shopee Vietnam, WHT Trade & Investment Consulting, and SMARTR.CO shared their insights during a panel session. Drawing from their rich experiences across e-commerce, consulting and tech entrepreneurship, the panel explored the region's evolving skills landscape. Students gained valuable insights into industry expectations, the impact of AI and automation and the importance of adaptability and cultural intelligence. Front (L - R) Ms Bay Hwee Eng, Deputy Head, Business Development and Partnerships & Lead, Short-term Study Programmes, Centre for Global Education and Opportunities (GEO), SMU ; Ms Wong Soo Mei, Assistant Director, ASEAN Programme Development, Dato' Kho Hui Meng Career Centr (DKHMCC), SMU ; Mr Van Nguyen, Founder & CEO, SMARTR.CO ; Ms Windy Huong Tran, CEO & Founder, WHT Trade & Investment Consulting LLC ; Mr Anh Tuan Tran, Executive Director, Head of Shopee Vietnam ; Dr Ng Xu Wen, Investment and Innovation Lead, Innoventures Inc. Dr Ng also teaches at the SMU Global Summer Programme.
Experiential moments at a booth by SCENT by SIX, one of the industry partners featured in the SMU-X 10th Anniversary Book
- Guest enjoying At the book launch commemorating the 10th anniversary of SMU-X, guests were invited to experience the spirit of SMU-X through interactive showcases and activity booths supported by industry partners. These included immersive experiences that highlighted cross-cultural learning, creativity and human connection – hallmarks of the SMU-X approach. Together, the gallery of projects and experiential activities illustrated how learning at SMU-X extends beyond the classroom, encouraging students to engage deeply with communities, industries and ideas in ways that are both rigorous, meaningful and impactful.