News
Welcome to Alumni in the News. Here you can find stories about SMU alumni from newspapers, articles, radio, television and other media.
If you know of any fellow alumni who have been featured in the news, please email us at alumni@smu.edu.sg. We will be happy to add them to the list.
News in 2011
17 April 2011 Her aim is to brand her blends
Alumna Adeline Tan talks about her green smoothie business and how she is developing her brand.
- The New Paper Psst! Here's a way to get US work visa
SMU graduate Allen Tan, is comfortable staying on the H-1B1 visa. The technology consultant, who is based in Pennsylvania, first applied for the visa fresh out of Singapore Management University, for an 'extended graduation trip'.
13 April 2011 Betting on life
12 April 2011 SMU earns accreditation from top professional institution
SMU is one of the youngest universities, and the second university in Singapore after NTU, to be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) for both its business and accounting undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
SMU earns AACSB accreditation for business, accounting programmes
SMU is one of the youngest universities to be accredited by the AACSB, the oldest and most recognised forms of professional accreditation programmes an institution can receive.
11 April 2011 Tertiary students go online to buy or sell textbooks
10 April 2011 Social media gaming scene in Singapore
6 April 2011 Would you pay $135 for graduates' night?
A posting on Stomp which had described the ticket price for Graduates' Night at the Marina Bay Sands as “ridiculous” was criticized by SMU graduating students, the majority of whom had picked the venue as their first choice despite being offered less costly alternatives, and had expressed their willingness to pay for a “memorable” and “once-in-a-lifetime experience”.
2 April 2011 Postgraduate law student is potential WP candidate
Postgrad law student Pritam Singh, who studied history and political science at the National University of Singapore and enrolled in the Singapore Management University's Juris Doctor programme, which gives mid-career professionals the chance to do a law degree, in 2009, is a potential Workers' Party candidate.
23 March 2011 Record employment rate for SMU grads
With an almost full employment rate of 99.99 per cent, SMU's 2010 graduates achieved the highest employment rate and average gross monthly salary for all degree programmes across all local universities, excluding medicine and law.
Banner year for SMU graduates in terms of employment and pay
It was a year for SMU's 2010 graduates in terms of employment and pay. Of all the degree programmes, SMU's Information Systems Management graduates topped the salary band, followed by its economics graduates. SMU also announced yesterday that it has launched a new graduate degree in corporate communication, in collaboration with Switzerland's Universitầ della Svizzera Italiana and the UCLA Anderson School of Management in the United States, touted as the first of its kind in Southeast Asia.
SMU graduates achieve record employment rate
The 2010 cohort achieved a record employment rate of 99.9 per cent and higher starting salaries across five of the university's degree programmes. It surpasses the performance of the 2009 and 2008 graduates of 96.8 per cent and 95.9 per cent respectively.
Class of 2010: More jobs, better starting pay for grads
Graduates from SMU last year had a record employment rate of 99.9 per cent and higher starting salaries across five of the university's degree programmes, surpassing the performance of graduates in 2009, when 96.8 per cent found employment.
21 March 2011 Three migrant couples speak of their baby plans
Assoc Dean and Assoc Prof (Practice) of the School of Accountancy TheminSuwardy and wife Febrita Suwardy, Manager at the Office of Advancement and Alumni, share how life has changed with their first child, 14-month-old Milla.
SMU Launches SE Asia's First Masters Communication Degree
SMU is launching a new Master in Communication Management degree, believed to be the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. The program is offered in collaboration with Università della Svizzera italiana in Lugano, Switzerland, and the UCLA Anderson School of Management in the US.
SMU launches first ever South East Asia graduate comms degree
In response to the steady demand for senior communication professionals in this region, the SMU launches a new Master in Communication Management. This programme is offered in collaboration with Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) in Lugano, Switzerland, and their partner, the UCLA Anderson School of Management in the US.
19 March 2011 Looking for fellow travelers
18 March 2011 Families shed tears of joy as loved ones return from Japan
14 March 2011 Business schools lacking globalised touch: study
Prof Arnoud De Meyer, president of SMU is part of a task force in putting together a new report released by AACSB which found business schools in general are not doing enough to prepare their students to compete in an increasingly globalised world. He said the report's findings make a strong case for why this is a 'major turning point' in fundamentally changing the way business schools should organise themselves.
19 February 2011 Experiences in Korea
- Busan e-FM 17 February 2011 Medical Tourism flies high with FlyforSurgery
15 February 2011 Why paying taxes in Singapore is a breeze
7 February 2011 Beyond an MBA
Professor Arnoud De Meyer, President of SMU, re-evaluates business education and says an interdisciplinary approach is required for business schools to become schools for business in finding solutions to problems.
SMU launches EMBA programme
The new SMU EMBA is 13-month programme designed to impart deep knowledge and understanding about the engines of growth in Asia, where participants will spend time in Singapore, China, India and the United States.
28 January 2011 Look far, but don’t lose sight of what is near
27 January 2011 Tuition agency provides up to 80% subsidy in fees
24 January 2011 Internship seals the deal
22 January 2011 Internship seals the deal
14 January 2011 Graduates set up tuition centre which subsidises poorer kids
10 January 2011 Rating plan benefits both charities and donors
In light of NTU's large $150 million donation from the Lee Foundation for their upcoming medical school, the Straits Times reported that most of the donations given to local universities come from smaller cheques made out by thousands of donors, which add up to tens of millions every year. SMU collected an average of $21 million a year from about 250 donors a year over the past three years. This figure does not include donations from alumni. NUS and NTU collected $94 million from 8,010 donors and $26 million from 10,000 donors respectively for the past financial year.
9 January 2011 SMU in the spotlight
The financial crisis turned out to be one real learning experience for the university, its staff and students. SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer shares with Money Mind his vision for the university, his thoughts on entrepreneurship, and how the university needs to transform itself from being a business school to a school for business.
5 January 2011 Lee Foundation and its causes
In 2004, it gave $50 million to SMU, which made it the largest private donation to an educational cause at the time. The donation was boosted by the Government, resulting in $200 million going into SMU's endowment fund.
Who decides to name a school after a donor?
The idea of naming a school after a benefactor is common in American universities. The practice first surfaced here when SMU named its business school after the late businessman Lee Kong Chian in 2004, following a $50 million gift from his Lee Foundation. The intention was 'that students to come will emulate the values and character of the late Mr Lee', said SMU.
3 January 2011 New faces on Young PAP committee
[SMU graduate and valedictorian] Lim Kexin was elected to serve as Organising Secretary of the Young PAP executive committee.
Young PAP picks new secretaries
SMU accountancy alumna Lim Kexin, who joined Young PAP since 2006 and is currently chairing its Aljunied GRC and Serangoon division, has been elected organising secretary of the executive committee of the youth wing of PAP.
News in 2010
20 December 2010 The Pupil graduates
12 December 2010 Polishing A Diamond Till It Shines
[SMU Alumni] Hamidah Aidillah Mustafa, is among 14 young and dedicated Executive Committee members of the Mendaki Club holding prominent positions in their respective industries and willing to sacrifice their time to help Malay/Muslim students achieve success. Hamidah was awarded the SMU Student Achievement Award for her community service work with Mendaki Club during her undergraduate days.
24 November 2010 Pioneer Grad offers green smoothies
9 November 2010 Grads set up Asian paintings portal
They may not be artists themselves, but these recent business graduates are already making headway in debunking the myth of the “starving artist”. Ng Cai Lin, 23, and Shannon Lim, 26, who were classmates at SMU, have set up Asia's first community for Asian artists to sell their original works online.
11 October 2010 College mates team up to ‘give back'
Four SMU alumni have set up aidha, a non-profit body, to impart principles of entrepreneurship and money management to foreign maids. Separately, an SMU alumna who is now a senior associate in human resources at the Singapore Exchange spends a good part of her annual leave volunteering as an English teacher in Timor Leste. All five say their commitment to giving back to society started at SMU, which requires its students to log 80 hours of community service before graduating.
Catch the trade winds in your sails
SMU graduate Thenugar Vijakumar, who is on the Juris Doctor programme, recalls her experience as the sole SMU graduate to have undergone three business study missions to Chile, New York and Israel.
7 October 2010 Every success needs a catalyst
13 September 2010 He spends $100,000 on dream eatery
11 September 2010 Floods turn tourists into volunteers
5 September 2010 Ad campaign images provoke
1 September 2010 Former CJ appointed chancellor of SMU
Former chief justice Yong Pung How has been appointed Chancellor of SMU, taking over from former Finance Minister Dr Richard Hu, who has been Chancellor for eight years.
Ex-chief justice is SMU's new chancellor
Former chief justice of Singapore Mr Yong Pung How has been appointed the chancellor of Singapore Management University. The five-year term will see him presiding over all major formal ceremonies involving the university. Mr Yong takes over the SMU post from former finance minister Dr Richard Hu, who was its chancellor for the last eight years.
Former Chief Justice Yong Pung How appointed SMU Chancellor
Former Chief Justice Mr Yong Pung How has been appointed the new Chancellor of SMU from 1 September 2010 for a period of five years, taking over from Dr Richard Hu.
31 August 2010 Fund-raising alumni welcomes new Singapore Universities Trust
SMU alumni Anthony Chang (25 years old), who chairs the Senior Class Gift Committee 2010, shared that they started fund-raising from April this year. Some alumni resisted giving back because they felt the university had enough financial resources or they were unsure of where the contributions would be channelled towards. He pointed out that most hoped the donations would go towards helping needy students and that scholarships can be set up, through the donations, to help students with financial hardship.
Former Chief Justice to be SMU chancellor
Former chief justice of Singapore Yong Pung How has been appointed the chancellor of Singapore Management University. His appointment, for a term of five years, takes effect Wednesday.
30 August 2010 Singapore Universities Trust
SMU alumni Anthony Chang, who chairs the Senior Class Gift Committee 2010, commented that he gave a portion of his salary to SMU upon graduation. He will need more details on how the Singapore Universities Trust works before deciding if he will contribute to this fund but his personal inclination is to donate directly to his alma mater.
28 July 2010 Fund-raising for flood-hit town
12 August 2010 SMU welcomes new president
President-designate Professor Arnoud De Meyer believed SMU is in a good position to become one of the top quality universities in East Asia and 20 years from now, be a model that can influence what other universities will do.
New SMU head's bold vision
Professor Howard Hunter, the third president of SMU, presented his successor, Professor Arnoud De Meyer with the Presidential Chain of Office in a symbolic ceremony during SMU's Convocation last evening to formally enrol this year's batch of 1,700 freshmen. The incoming president takes office on Sept 1 and wants the university to be a pioneer in inter-disciplinary research.
Tying up with foreigners is a plus, say local grads who have done so
Some Singaporean graduates building local start-ups have found that a good first step is to cultivate foreign business partnerships with friends of various nationalities. Singapore Management University alumni Keith Ng, and Damon Widjaja found a business that develops digital platforms and games. Professor Desai Narasimhalu, director of the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at SMU, said that while more students are embarking on business ventures, it is still too early to tell whether foreign and local partnerships are a trend.
22 July 2010 SMU's 7th Commencement
25-year-old Kenneth Cheok, Valedictorian of SMU's Lee Kong Chian School of Business, started a swimming instruction company, The Swim Lab, in his second year of University with two other partners. He will be pursuing his other passion, finance, when he joins DBS Institutional Banking Group at the end of this month, but will stay a silent partner in the company he founded.
21 July 2010 SMU's 7th batch of graduates
11 July 2010 Coming together to catch the World Cup Finals, have fun and witness history in the making
7 July 2010 Perfect shot from the top
1 July 2010 50 most inspiring women under 40
15 June 2010 Grad trips now a rite of passage
Graduation trips have become a must for freshly minted degree holders, who see them as a rite of passage ahead of starting their careers. Singapore Management University finance graduates Lim Rong Jie spent a week in China and Olivia Chiu is travelling in Europe and US.
Helping business deal with social development issues
Final-year student Aye Kyithar Swe from Myanmar writes about how her past three and a half years in SMU have shown her that education outside the classroom adds immense value to the learning process of a tertiary student and how her interest in development work was identified.
5 June 2010 Why SMU students signed the oath
Three MBA graduates from SMU's pioneer batch Eshwari Shunmuganathan, Chan Ching Hwee – who spearheaded the drive for signatories among his coursemates - and Yvonne Ho speak about why they signed the MBA oath.
New MBA graduates promise to 'do no harm'
So far, more than 3,100 MBAs from more than 300 schools around the world are signatories, and more are expected to join during the year. At the Singapore Management University, 25 students who graduated last December signed the oath.
26 May 2010 Challenges facing Asian thought leaders
Mr Ho Kwon Ping, Chairman of the SMU Board of Trustees, argued in his speech at the inaugural 2010 Asia Regional Conference of The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) held in Singapore that Asian thought leaders – including academics – need to proactively create an entire value values system rooted in the symbols and fables of their own cultural traditions.
11 May 2010 Leadership devt institute launched
26 April 2010 Small gaming firm with big dreams
6 April 2010 90% of grads found jobs within 6 months
According to the Graduate Employment Survey, most university graduates last year secured full-time permanent jobs within six months of leaving school despite the bleak economic conditions. Graduates from SMU’s economics and accountancy programmes were largely recession-proof and those from the School of Information Systems earned the highest mean monthly salary of about S$3,450.
19 January 2010 Cambridge biz school director to be new SMU head
The Singapore Management University (SMU) has appointed the current director of Cambridge University's Judge Business School, Professor Arnoud De Meyer, as its new president.
Gearing up to be an Asian giant
The Singapore Management University (SMU) has appointed the current director of Cambridge University's Judge Business School, Professor Arnoud De Meyer, as its new president.
SMU appoints old S'pore hand as new president
Professor Arnoud De Meyer has spent four years in Singapore as the founding dean of Insead's Asia campus from 1999 to 2002. Currently director of Cambridge University's Judge Business School, the Belgian returns in September to take office as SMU's fourth president. Professor Howard Hunter who has served as SMU's president for six years, will continue as a Professor of Law, teaching both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as providing mentorship to the faculty at SMU.
SMU President to hand over end August
SMU President, Professor Howard Hunter, who is 63, will step down from his position at the end of August. The current dean of the Judge Business School at Cambridge University, Professor Arnoud De Meyer, will take over as the new President from 1 September.
18 January 2010 More than just jobs the grads get
In his speech delivered on the occasion of SMU's 10th Anniversary Celebration, Mr Ho Kwon Ping, chairman of SMU's Board of Trustees paid tribute to then-Deputy Prime Minister and Minister-in-Charge of Higher Education Dr Tony Tan, for having been the visionary behind the university. Mr Ho also called for the university to measure its success beyond conventional quantifiable measures.
'We both act for a living'
SMU alumna Rebecca Lim and Juris Doctor graduate student Vadi PVSS takes on roles as lawyers in MediaCorp TV Channel 5's latest courtroom drama, The Pupil.
Professor Arnoud De Meyer to step down as director of Cambridge Judge Business School
Professor Arnoud De Meyer, director of Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, will become president of SMU from 1 September 2010.
De Meyer quits Judge for Singapore
Professor Arnoud De Meyer, director of the Judge Business School at Cambridge University, is quitting to become president of SMU.
Judge loses dean to Singapore
Professor Arnoud De Meyer is to step down as director of the Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge this summer after just four years in the job, to become president of SMU.
16 January 2010 SMU celebrates 10th year
SMU celebrated its 10th anniversary on Friday with a night of student performances and an exhibition showcasing life on campus. Some 1,200 guests, including President S R Nathan, Education Minister Ng Eng Hen and SMU board of trustees chairman Ho Kwon Ping, graced the occasion.
Dr Tony Tan gave them autonomy, that's why SMU can be different
Speaking at the 10th anniversary celebrations of SMU, Chairman Ho Kwon Ping pays tribute to former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of Higher Education Dr Tony Tan.
Entering SMU allowed them to blossom
SMU's first batch of graduates Rich Ho, his wife Katharine Chong and Frodine Lee speak about their experiences as pioneers of the new university.
15 January 2010 SMU celebrates 10th anniversary
SMU turns 10 this year, and it hopes to build on its successes as it celebrates a decade of achievements. It started off as the first government-funded private university, and over the years, it has groomed business leaders and creative entrepreneurs who have made their mark in Singapore and abroad.
Ten years of nurturing
Mr Ho Kwon Ping, Chairman of the SMU Board of Trustees, hopes to build SMU into a truly great university able to impact and influence Singapore and society, as well as set the tone for national values and perspectives.
Strengthening postgraduate education
Enhancing postgraduate education and faculty research will be the emphasis of SMU in the coming years in order to elevate it to a great university.
11 January 2010 Seeing the world in a new light
9 January 2010 Legal wrangles
5 January 2010 Monitoring social media important for managing corporate reputation
Monitoring social media important for managing corporate reputation 
Practice Assistant Professor Michael Netzley and [SMU alumnus] Anshul Jain, chief executive officer of ThoughtBuzz commented the need for organisations to think of new strategies to cope with the growing popularity of social media websites.
Practice Assistant Professor Michael Netzley and [SMU alumnus] Anshul Jain, chief executive officer of ThoughtBuzz commented the need for organisations to think of new strategies to cope with the growing popularity of social media websites.News in 2009
21 May 2009 Wedding hongbao goes to charity
02 May 2009 Desert Diplomacy
11 April 2009 Varsities keen to click with alumni
07 April 2009 Grads flexible about salaries
06 April 2009 She's an unsung hero on a mission
05 April 2009 Cheaper than opening a shop
04 April 2009 It pays to do econs at SMU
In the latest Graduate Employment Survey, last year, economics graduates from the Singapore Management University received average starting salaries of S$4,164 per month. That's a shade above the S$3,971 earned by business graduates at the NUS Business Administration honours graduates.
Most graduates still landing jobs
One of the most stellar performances in the latest Graduate Employment Survey (GES) comes from SMU economics graduates, who scored full overall employment rate. Wage-wise, SMU graduates are also ahead of their NTU and NUS peers.
03 April 2009 SMU economics graduates top earners among cohort in 2008
In the latest Graduate Employment Survey, last year, economics graduates from the Singapore Management University received average starting salaries of S$4,164 per month.
Which grads earn the most?
Fresh graduates from SMU's economics degree programme are among the best paid in their peer group, with a median starting salary of $3,300. Those with distinctions fare even better, with a corresponding starting salary of $3,750.
01 April 2009 New job offers for unemployed PMETs
28 March 2009 Finally, you can loosen your purse strings
SMU graduate Hozen Yong is the proud owner of Maestro Guitars, a homegrown brand that has been dubbed “cheap and good”.
Jobless? Be an SME adviser
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which need expert advice in these trying times - but cannot afford it - can now turn to the inaugural Business Advisers Programme (BAP), launched by the Singapore Management University (SMU) on Friday.
27 March 2009 I was a teen rebel
23 March 2009 Grads think outside the box to create own job opportunities
Final year SMU finance and marketing students Casimir Chia is cobbling together enough money to set up a travel planning company with a couple of second year undergraduates.
The lucky ones: Accountancy students who already have jobs
Some accountancy graduates have multiple offers, like SMU student Ashley Gan who received three offers but eventually chose the company she interned with last year.
Grad expectations not so great now
Instead of a job in banking, SMU finance and management student Keith Punzalan intends to apply for a management post with biotechnology firms to take advantage of the up-and-coming biotech and renewable energy sectors.
20 March 2009 Alumni idea to woo foreign students pays off
19 March 2009 US-style law degree at SMU
Graduates seeking to become lawyers in a career switch can now do an American-style law degree at SMU. SMU law school dean Michael Furmston said yesterday that with the new Juris Doctor programme, 'SMU will be able to groom talent from a wider sphere of expertise who show competence and aptitude to be good lawyers'.
13 March 2009 Grants for 1 in 8 new SMU students
One in eight SMU students starting school this year will receive a scholarship – due in part to the generosity of other students and alumni.
27 year-old pledges $100K to help students
Final-year Business Management student Lawrence Kim has four weeks to go before he graduates from SMU but he has already pledged more than S$100,000 to help students.
Undergraduate pledges $100K to help students
Final-year SMU undergraduate Lawrence Kim has already pledged more than S$100,000 to help student entrepreneurs.
Student and benefactor
SMU undergraduate Lawrence Kim donated $17,500 to fund a new Kim's Entrepreneur Scholarship and book prize for SMU students – making this the single largest contribution to SMU by an undergraduate.
Undergraduate pledges to help student entrepreneurs
27-year-old SMU undergraduate Lawrence Kim, who is due to graduate in four weeks, has pledged more than $100,000 to help student entrepreneurs.
Money-driven gamer
[SMU graduate] Game developer Leonard Lim, one of the three co-founders of Tyler Projects, sees himself more as a “traditional Chinese businessman” and eschews comparisons between him and an entrepreneur.
News in 2008
December 2008 Dudes In The Hood – The Walking Political Encyclopedia
22 August 2008 Giving back: Not by money alone, says SMU
07 March 2008 More than just numbers
29 January 2008 4 SMU students receive new scholarships on SMU Patron's Day
Nguyen Tue Vy, Serene Ser, Teoh Pei Ying and Wilson Lim Yong Ming receive news scholarships totalling $13,000 set up from funds by SMU alumni and undergraduates.
4 SMU students receive scholarships from alumni and fellow schoolmates
Although SMU is 8 years old, accomplished alumni and current students have long displayed a strong spirit of repaying the university by helping to set up scholarships to support their younger schoolmates through university.
News in 2007
26 December 2007 Back to campus for Christmas day wedding
SMU alumni Joshua Chua and Bijun Chan, who met and studied at SMU, returned to the SMU campus at Bras Basah Road for their Christmas Day wedding.
Bride and Bridegroom fulfill their wish to marry on Christmas Day
SMU alumni Joshua Chua and Bijun Chan met while studying at SMU. Yesterday, they celebrated their solemnisation ceremony with about 70 relatives and friends at the SMU campus.
23 October 2007 Social enterprises - the answer to true happiness?
September 2007 To Alumni or Not?
22 March 2007 SMU faculty and student pool in money for scholarship fund
News in 2006
21 August 2006 Banding together to give back to the community
In his National Day Rally speech, PM Lee Hsien Loong said he was encouraged by projects started by universities and their alumni, such as SMU accountancy graduate Darren Lim.
Alumni who gives back
Darren Lim feels the donation towards the scholarship is the best way to show his appreciation to his parents and SMU.
SMU graduate Darren Lim sets up scholarship
Darren Lim will donate to this scholarship in perpetuity as long as he is fetching an income.
03 July 2006 It pays to join an alumni club
June 2006 Stock answers
News in 2005
21 July 2005 SMU valedictorian pursues education and social work
Every minute of Ms Lim Ke Xin's time in SMU is filled with activities. In addition to the demands of studies, much time is devoted to activities like social work and giving back to the community.
Sickly once, she creates ripples
23-year-old Lim Ke Xin took to the stage as SMU valedictorian and made a bold promise: SMU alumni will one day be Cabinet members.
Yesterday's poster girl is today's model SMU graduate
Best remembered for her back-arching pose, Ms Elsie Lin graduated with summa cum laude and snagged eight of the 11 accountancy awards.
20 February 2005 Who says I'm a wild child?
17 February 2005 Bright job outlook for grads
100% employment for SMU's new grads; more firms take part in job fairs at NUS, NTU.
SMU scores with all graduates finding jobs within 6 months
A full 100 per cent of SMU's graduates found work within six months of graduating, with more than half securing a job before graduating.
SMU graduates land jobs within 6 months
The first patch of SMU graduates all found jobs within 6 months of graduation.