SMU Alumni

MITB Durian Fiesta 2024 was an absolute “spiky” hit! Our OARsome colleagues had a blast alongside 78 MITB alumni, students and staff on campus yesterday to indulge in the “king of fruits” while reconnecting and forging new “fruitful” relationships.

The delicious durians were supplied by 99 Old Trees Durian, an alumni business co-founded by Tan Hai Jie (BSc Econ 2013).

🌟 Kick-Off of SMU Mentoring Pinnacle with DBS 2024! 🌟

Last Friday, we had the pleasure of hosting the 5th run of the SMU Mentoring Pinnacle with DBS at the DBS Asia Auditorium. Over 140 participants, comprising 50 DBS mentors, and 90 alumni and student mentees, came together for an inspiring evening! 🎉

The event began with welcome remarks from Adalia Tan, VP and CSR Lead of DBS, and Florence Neo, Director of OAR. Jurena Chan (LLB 2011), VP Legal and Compliance of DBS, shared about her insights of as a mentor and Avinash Pothu (MBA 2024) spoke of his experiences as a mentee. 🗣️

Dinner and networking followed, offering participants the opportunity to and explore various facets of banking, including consumer banking, institutional banking, audit, legal and compliance, transformation, and technology & operations. 🍽️🤝

We wish all our mentors and mentees a fruitful mentoring journey and look forward to seeing the positive impacts of these new connections! 🚀

Sending positive vibes to SMU School of Accountancy alumna, Shanti Pereira (BAcc 2021) for the Women's 100m and 200m at the Paris Olympics 2024. Wishing Team Singapore the best of luck, we are rooting for all of you! 🇸🇬💪✌️

(Photo credit: SNOC/Kong Chong Yew)

🌟 Celebrating Success at the SingCham Korea x SMU Alumni Founders Event! 🌟

This networking event provided a platform for participants to connect, share insights, and explore potential collaborations between the Singapore and Korea business communities.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making this event impactful. 🙏 Special thanks to our wonderful partners from SingCham Korea, especially Chairperson Justin Yong (BSc IS 2009) and Nurulhuda for their sponsorship, and the support from SMU alumni founders.

To all SMU alumni founders out there, join our SMU Alumni Founders LinkedIn Group to stay updated, network with fellow alumni, and participate in upcoming events - https://smu.sg/jjx9.

Let’s continue to build meaningful connections! 💼🌐

🎓 Class of 2024, Congratulations on your Commencement!

As you embark on new horizons post-graduation, remember that your connection to SMU does not end here.

The Office of Alumni Relations (OAR) (https://alumni.smu.edu.sg) welcomes you to the alumni family and looks forward to further deepening your connection with SMU and fellow alumni.

Here’s 3 ways to get started:

1️⃣ 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐔𝐩 with interesting activities and initiatives by following OAR on social media - SMU Alumni

2️⃣ 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐔𝐩 at alumni events and network with fellow alumni, fostering everlasting relationships.

3️⃣ 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐔𝐩 to mentor or volunteer your time, talent, or testimony to enrich the alumni community.

Share this with your classmates and start 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭 𝐔𝐩 as an active alumnus!

🌟 SMU Fosters Connections Through Inaugural Mentoring Walk at Fort Canning Park 🌟

SMU sits at the vibrant heart of Singapore, just steps away from the serene oasis of Fort Canning Park. This historic site offers a unique juxtaposition – stunning views that seamlessly blend the city's energy with the tranquillity of nature. 🌳

Capitalising on this unique location, OAR launched an inaugural Mentoring Walk at Fort Canning Park as part of the SMU Mentoring Navigator programme. This innovative event fostered meaningful connections that experienced alumni mentors and student mentees in a refreshing outdoor setting. 🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️

Through face-to-face interactions during the walk, mentees gained invaluable insights from their mentors' career journeys. This guidance empowered them to shape their own personal and professional goals with confidence.

The Mentoring Walk exemplifies SMU's commitment to fostering connections. A huge thank you to all participants for making this event a success! Let's continue to connect, inspire, and grow. 🌟

🌟 Exciting Updates for the SMU Alumni Community! 🌟

Last week marked a pivotal moment for our global SMU alumni network with not just one, but TWO incredible town halls!

🎉 Our 2nd SMU Local Alumni Leaders Town Hall last Wednesday, passionate leaders to brainstorm new ideas for enhancing local engagement and alumni support. Teo Yong Kang, Chairperson of ReVOIX Alumni Group also shared about their activities, highlighting the initiatives they undertake and the challenges they encounter.

🌍 The very next day, we proudly hosted our inaugural SMU Overseas Alumni Leaders Town Hall, uniting alumni from around the world in a mission to foster global connections and opportunities. It was a virtual gathering like no other!

📘 In addition, we are thrilled to share updates on our latest initiatives including the launch of new handbooks, designed to empower our alumni leaders with practical guidance and best practices for organising groups and engagement activities.

At OAR, we are committed to shaping a vibrant alumni community that thrives on shared experiences and lifelong connections. 🤝 as we continue to create valuable opportunities for connection, growth, and collaboration. and celebrate the power of our alumni community!

🌟 Calling Alumni Startup Founders! 🚀
Join us for the SingCham Korea and SMU Alumni Founders Networking Event! 🗓️

👥 Connect with industry leaders, trade associations, corporate partners, and fellow SMU alumni founders. Engage in meaningful conversations, explore networking opportunities, and gain insights into collaboration and innovation.

🔗 Register now: https://smu.sg/uf92
Limited slots left!

🗓️ 30 July 2024, Tuesday
🕖 7:00pm to 9:00pm (SGT)
📍 Tipo Strada - 16 Hamilton Rd, #01-05, Singapore 209186

Let’s forge new connections and explore possibilities together!

🌟 Exciting Opportunity for Alumni in Urban Development! 🌟

Join us for an exclusive alumni event as we explore the transformative concept of 'Live, Work, Play, and Learn' within Singapore's dynamic mixed-use landscape. 🏙️ Our expert panel will delve into the past, present, and future of integrated developments, sharing insights on successes, challenges, and innovative approaches.

🔍 Discover the complexities of master planning and executing thriving projects from inception to completion.
📚 Learn how data-driven decisions can significantly enhance business value and gain valuable insights into the commercial realities driving these opportunities.
🤝 Connect with industry thought leaders and like-minded professionals and engage in a dynamic discussion on the latest trends and innovations in urban development.

Save your spot now and be part of shaping the future of urban landscapes. Register Now – https://smu.sg/1iek

🗓️ 15 August 2024, Thursday
🕖 7:00pm to 10:00pm (SGT)
📍 SMU University Lounge

🌍✨ Calling all alumni in 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐚! Join us for an insightful discussion on 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐒𝐆 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬. 📊

Businesses today are increasingly challenged to prioritise Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) in showcasing their commitment to long-term value creation.

We are excited to bring together industry leaders and academia from Indonesia and Singapore to explore emerging trends in sustainability reporting. Discover best practices, benchmarks, and strategies for organisations to:

🌱 Manage challenges,
💡 Seize growth opportunities, and
📈 Demonstrate sustainable development through transparent and meaningful reporting.

🗓️ 5 August 2024, Monday
🕖 7:00pm to 9:00pm (GMT +7)
📍 Mandarin Oriental Jakarta

Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and network with like-minded professionals dedicated to advancing sustainability in business! 🌱💼

Register Now - https://smu.sg/fh28

🎉 Celebrating the success of the 2nd SMUREAL Mentoring Programme! 🌟

The SMUREAL Club Networking Event marks the closure of the 2nd SMUREAL Mentoring Programme which ran from January to April 2024.

We extend our gratitude to all alumni mentors for the dedication and guidance to our students.

🎓 Special thanks to our SMU REAL Alumni Group Exco members, especially Melvin and Joel, for their invaluable contributions to the programme's success.

To our recent graduates: to be a mentor too. Your knowledge and experiences can inspire and empower the next generation of SMU students!

Calling all real estate professionals: Join our SMUREAL LinkedIn Group and with fellow alumni to grow and support each other in our professional journeys - https://smu.sg/mqam 🚀

🌟 Celebrating a Memorable Evening at WongPartnership LLP! 🌟

Following our inaugural “pop-up” event at Rajah and Tann LLP, it was an absolute delight to host another successful SMU Law Alumni Gathering at WongPartnership LLP's office in the heart of our bustling business district.

We welcomed more than 50 esteemed alumni from SMU Yong Pung How School of Law, representing over 18 distinguished law firms and organisations.

Throughout the evening, we enjoyed fruitful conversations, renewed friendships, and forged new connections among our vibrant legal community.

We were honored to have YPHSL Dean Professor Lee Pey Woan and esteemed faculty members A/P Lim Saw Cheng, A/P Zhang Wei, and A/P Edward Ti share insightful updates on the latest developments at the law school.

A special highlight was witnessing our recent graduates from the classes of 2023 and 2022 mingling enthusiastically with their seniors over wine and cheese, fostering a spirit of camaraderie that truly defines our SMU Law community.

Heartfelt thanks to Lin Chunlong (LLB 2013) and Victoria Liu (LLB/BBM 2021) for spearheading this event, and to WongPartnership for their generous venue support.

Here's to the continued growth and achievements of our legal community! 🥂

SMU Alumni Giving

Darren Cheng (BBM 2023), Ang Wan Loong (BSocSc 2021) and Adriel Ng (BAcc 2021) are through their company Ecoflow.

Watch the video https://brnw.ch/21wL57x to see how their water solutions are helping companies make positive environmental .

SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business | School of Social Sciences (SOSS) | SMU Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship

SMU Changemakers: Darren Cheng and Ang Wan Loong, EcoFlow Delve into the inspiring story of Darren Cheng and Ang Wan Loong, distinguished alumni of SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business, and founders of EcoFlow – an...

🌟 Unlock your career's full potential with SMU Mentoring Pinnacle with DBS 2024! 🚀

Calling all SMU alumni & postgraduate students! Connect with senior alumni and industry professionals from our partner, DBS Bank and gain invaluable industry insights and guidance. Join our exclusive 6-month mentoring programme, to elevate your career journey!

🔗 Apply as a mentee by July 18th - https://smu.sg/6y4h

🎉Monthly Shanghai Alumni Gathering

Last Friday, our alumni in Shanghai organised an awesome meetup, creating a great opportunity for alumni to network and create new connections.

For those who missed this round, our Shanghai Alumni Chapter organises monthly gatherings, and we warmly invite you to join these events to reconnect with your fellow alumni.

If you're in Shanghai and interested in participating or have any questions, please reach out to Steven Guo (WeChat ID: RedEmotion), Chairperson of SMU Shanghai Alumni Chapter.

Here's to more fulfilling gatherings and strengthening our community together. 🚀

🌟 Incredible networking event for alumni in the Payments industry!

It was fantastic to reunite with fellow SMU alumni and industry professionals, exchanging insights and forging valuable connections.

We had several stimulating industry discussions, exploring new market opportunities and partnerships, and diving into current trends and innovations. Your active participation and enthusiasm truly made the event dynamic and memorable. 🗣️💡

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the success of this event. Special appreciation to Ivan Chang (BBM 2014), for his outstanding planning and organisation of the event!

📣 Exciting news for alumni in Payments: This is just the beginning! Stay tuned for more upcoming payments-related events. Join us to continue fostering connections, learning, and growth together. 📈✨

Heartiest congratulations to Shanti (BAcc 2021) and Zong Yang (LLB 2019)! 🎊🎉 And Happy Birthday 🎂 to Zong Yang!

Wishing Shanti all the best for the Paris Olympics! We are cheering you on.

https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/shanti-pereira-and-former-national-sprinter-tan-zong-yang-announce-their-engagement

🌟 Trip to Beijing! 🌟

Our OARsome team was in Beijing last week and here are some incredible highlights:

📅 June 5th: We kicked off the trip with a delightful dinner bringing together 10 alumni from the Beijing Alumni Chapter and the Exco of School of Accountancy (SOA) Beijing Alumni Group. This first face-to-face meetup was an amazing opportunity to deepen connections and share insights. Big thanks to OARsome Director Florence Neo who shared important updates and insights, and SOA Beijing Alumni Group Chairperson, Xie Guomin (MCFO, 2020) who introduced the groups and their future plans.

🎉 June 6th: The excitement continued as we inaugurated the SOA Beijing Alumni Group in conjunction with the IAC Industry Leaders Dialogue! The alumni group was officially launched by SMU President Prof Lily Kong, Professor of Accountancy Prof Yue Heng, OAR Director Florence Neo, and Chairperson of SOA Beijing Alumni Group Xie Guomin. The ceremony was witnessed by Singapore Ambassador to PRC, H.E. Peter Tan, IAC members and alumni. This new group aims to foster connections among SOA alumni in Beijing, providing support and opportunities for growth. We are eager to witness the accomplishments of this vibrant community.

🤝 June 7th: Our journey took us to the prestigious Peking University where we engaged in enriching discussions with their Alumni Office team, exchanging ideas and best practices to enhance alumni engagement efforts. Additionally, we had the opportunity to explore the campus building and grounds, that harmoniously blended traditional Chinese architecture with modern facilities.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this trip. We are thrilled about the potential opportunities for SMU and our alumni as well as the enduring bonds within our global alumni community. 💼🌏

Big thank you to our incredible alumni who have and transformed the education journey for students. Your support shapes future leaders and fosters excellence. We're immensely grateful! 🙌🎓

Our universities and our workplaces tend to be where indelible memories are made. On 30 May 2024, both alma mater and work organisation came together for the donors of the SMU Alumni @ GIC Scholarship, which was established in 2020 – the first of its kind where SMU alumni working in GIC rallied to support talented but financially challenged students through collective giving. To date, 6 SMU students have benefited through the financial support and mentorship from the group. The efforts of the donors are further enhanced by corporate support from "With Love, from GIC," which provided educational grants to an additional 12 students, enriching their learning journey.

On this evening, 12 proud recipients of the scholarship and grant had the opportunity to meet 9 of the alumni donors at GIC’s office for the Scholars-Donors Evening. The group was joined by Dr Jeffrey Jaensubhakij, Group Chief Investment Officer at GIC and member of the SMU Board of Trustees, Assoc Prof Hu Jian Feng, Associate Professor of Finance, Lee Kong Chian School of Business. It was a special evening of hearty conversations, including the recipients’ heartfelt sharing and the exchange of industry knowledge from seniors to juniors.

Inspired by the life experiences of and impact on the initial recipients, as well as a commitment to sustaining the culture of giving, the SMU Alumni @ GIC recently expanded the scholarship in 2024 to increase the award quantum and double the number of scholarships given annually. We extend our deepest gratitude to our alumni who have created this exemplary circle of paying it forward. ❤️


Singapore Management University | SMU Alumni | SMU Masters | SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business | SMU School of Computing and Information Systems | SMU School of Economics | SMU School of Social Sciences (SOSS)

🚀 Dive into Asia's thriving entrepreneurial landscape with us! 🚀

Join our event where innovation meets risk-taking and market expertise. Keynote speaker Associate Professor 𝐄𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐓𝐚𝐲 will kick off the discussion on the latest trends and strategies in venture capital. Following his keynote, our expert panel, will delve into the intricacies of the venture capital ecosystem, sharing valuable lessons and best practices.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to network with professionals, entrepreneurs and investors, and gain exclusive knowledge that will elevate your venture capital journey!

Secure your spot now and seize unparalleled growth potential - https://smu.sg/ok6e

📅 20 June 2024, Thursday
🕖 7:00pm - 9:00pm (SGT)
📍 SMU University Lounge, Level 6, SMU Administration Building

𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬:
𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐠 - Executive Director, SG Tech
𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐨 (BAcc 2015) - Finance Specialist, Trinity Innovation BioVentures
𝐒𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐚 - Senior Consultant, Sumitomo Corporation
𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐢𝐬 𝐓𝐚𝐧 - Commercial & Investment Manager, Innovate360

𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫:
𝐖𝐨𝐞𝐢 𝐘𝐮𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐠 - Director, Technology Cluster, MP International

This event is organised by SMU Office of Alumni Relations and SMU Academy for SMU alumni, students and staff.

🌟 Great Interaction and Learning Sessions at The Mentoring Navigator 2024! 🌟

Last week, nearly 100 alumni mentors and students gathered over two evenings filled with vibrant conversations and delicious Thai cuisine.

The Mentoring Navigator connects students with alumni mentors, to pick up invaluable industry knowledge, learn about available career opportunities, and build professional networks. The face-to-face Mentoring Evenings facilitated interactions between mentors and mentees. A huge thank you to our alumni mentors for their dedication in helping students prepare themselves for their future careers, through your selfless sharing and guidance.

At OAR, we are proud to foster our Mentoring culture and continuously raise the bar for our programmes. Stay tuned for further enhancements to enrich the mentoring experience! 💼

Congratulations to our alumnae, Easy Arisarwindha (MAF 2010), who is also an Exco member of SMU Indonesia Alumni Chapter, and Vivien Yao (BAcc 2010) for earning their places in Aspire’s 2024.

We look forward to further innovative transformations and refinement to the financial landscape.

Check out the other honorees too ➡️ https://bit.ly/4aKgP9A

CFOXchange - A community for finance leaders at the forefront of Asia’s New Economy Your gateway to leaders who are actively shaping the next wave of tech-enabled finance transformation in Asia

🎉 Yesterday marked the 4th installment of Connecting Talents networking event, organised in partnership with SMU Career Centre and SMU Masters, with an energetic community of 45 alumni and 95 students in attendance.

This event aims to bridge postgraduate students with alumni, to learn about their work experiences, and gain career tips and industry insights, while providing an opportunity for networking.

We are exhilarated to see robust sharing from both the roundtable discussions and free-form networking, and witness the forging of many meaningful conversations and connections.

A huge shout-out to our alumni volunteers who served as roundtable facilitators and engagement delegates. Your dedication and support in strengthening our SMU community are truly commendable. Thank you for your unwavering commitment!

Here's to more fruitful connections and inspiring conversations in the future. Let's continue to build bridges and empower each other along the way! 🌟

🚀 Dive into Asia's thriving entrepreneurial landscape with us! 🚀

Join our event where innovation meets risk-taking and market expertise. Keynote speaker Associate Professor Edward Tay will kick off the discussion on the latest trends and strategies in venture capital. Following his keynote, our expert panel will delve into the intricacies of the venture capital ecosystem, sharing valuable lessons and best practices.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to network with professionals, entrepreneurs and investors, and gain exclusive knowledge that will elevate your venture capital journey!
Secure your spot now and seize unparalleled growth potential - https://smu.sg/ok6e

📅 20 June 2024, Thursday
🕖 7:00pm - 9:00pm (SGT)
📍 SMU University Lounge, Level 6, SMU Administration Building

𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬:
Yean Cheong 张苑青 - Executive Director, SG Tech
Carter Ho (BAcc 2015) - Finance Specialist, Trinity Innovation BioVentures
Sahan Udana - Senior Consultant, Sumitomo Corporation

𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫:
Woei Yuan Seng - Director, Technology Cluster, MP International

This event is organised by SMU Office of Alumni Relations and SMU Academy for SMU alumni, students and staff.

SMU Academy

🌟 Last week, two insightful panel sessions and a delightful alumni networking dinner were organised by the College of Graduate Research Studies (CGRS) and the Graduate Research Alumni Chapter (GRAC), supported by OAR.

The first panel, "Life after a PhD or Doctoral Programme: What’s Next?", provided invaluable insights from esteemed panelists Ramesh Ramachandra, Peter Tay, and Rosalia Da Garcia. Their personal journeys and postgraduate experiences shed light on the diverse paths available after completing advanced studies.

The second panel, "Emergent Real-world Research Topics: An Opportunity for Academia-Practitioner Research Collaboration", further ignited discussions on cutting-edge research topics and the potential for collaboration between academia and practitioners. Ajay Makhija, Amy Lim, and Koh Chaik Ming shared their perspectives, inspiring attendees with their research motivations and collaborative approaches.

The networking dinner that ensued offered a platform for deeper interactions, fostering connections among participants and panellists. It was a truly memorable evening of learning, sharing, and networking.

Kudos to CGRS and GRAC for organising such a thought-provoking and engaging event! Looking forward to more opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration in the future. 🌐💬

🎓 Celebrating Success and Building Bridges! 🌟

The College of Graduate Research Studies (CGRS) hosted a heartwarming Graduation Lunch this afternoon to honour our graduating students and wish them the very best in their future endeavours.

At CGRS, we pride ourselves on offering a holistic learning experience and a well-grounded approach to research. The interdisciplinary programmes, shared courses, and professional training workshops empower students to excel in their academic pursuits.

Kicking off the event, we were privileged to hear inspiring speeches from distinguished individuals, including Prof Wang Heli, Dean of CGRS, Dr Kevin Cheong, President of the Graduate Research Alumni Chapter (GRAC), and Jocelyn Thng, Assistant Director of OAR. Their words of wisdom and support resonated deeply with our graduating cohort.

Following the speeches, attendees were treated to a delectable buffet spread accompanied by fine wine, creating the perfect ambience for networking and mingling. Graduates had the opportunity to connect not only with their peers but also with faculty members and staff, fostering meaningful connections and lasting memories.

As we bid farewell to our graduates, we also encourage them to stay connected with SMU through GRAC. Let's continue to build bridges and support each other in our professional journeys. 🎉🥂

with your alumni community 🌐

🔗 Update now: https://bit.ly/SMUKeepUp

📋 Updating your particulars is easy, and it helps us keep you informed about:

🎉 Exciting alumni events
🌐 Networking and learning opportunities
🎓 Job and career resources
📚 Educational advancements
🌟 Alumni success stories and achievements

Share this with your classmates, and let us all . 🥳👏