SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS We invite you to join our growing community of givers through the SMU School of Economics Student Fund, which aims to better support students of promise and potential. Learn more from our Dean, faculty and staff, and alumni who continue the SMU tradition of making a meaningful impact on society and the world. SMU SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS STUDENT FUND Changing Lives for the Better
Laying the Foundation On August 12, 2001, Education Minister Teo Chee Hean announced the establishment of a new School of Economics and Social Sciences on the occasion of SMU’s Convocation ceremony. The decision to establish a new School for Economics and Social Sciences (SESS) was, in the words of Provost Tan Chin Tiong, ‘a natural spin-off for the Business School’. The first intake of students was scheduled to enter SMU in August 2002. For the first intake, the School offered a Bachelor of Science (Economics) (BSc Econs) programme for up to 50 students. The School was to start up with an initial complement of 14 full-time faculty. In March 2002, the University announced that after an intensive international search, Roberto S. Mariano was appointed Dean of the new School. At the first Commencement Ceremony for the Bachelor of Science in Economics programme in 2006, 43 graduands received their degrees. This pioneer batch of students had attended most of their classes at the old Bukit Timah campus before moving to our city campus at Bras Basah in 2005. Growing our Faculty and Programmes In April 2007, SMU announced the separation of the School of Social Sciences from the School of Economics. The restructuring and separation of these two schools would allow both schools, which have been rapidly growing in student enrolment and faculty members, greater focus on their individual strengths and develop distinctive curricula at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. In SMU’s first outing in the annual Graduate Employment Survey in 2005, it was revealed that 100% of SMU graduates found jobs either before they graduated or within six months of graduation. Of these, 60% secured employment prior to graduation while 72% did so within a month of graduation. It was also revealed that the average starting salary for SMU graduates was over $2,500, and that for cum laude students (those who graduated with distinction) it was nearly $3,000. Clearly, delighted by these findings, President Howard Hunter said, ‘The employability of SMU students confirms our strong belief in both our seminar-style pedagogy and flexible but integrated curriculum, which together, foster hands-on, team oriented, project-based learning that is relevant to the marketplace.’ SMU School of Economics
All members of the pioneer class, which graduated in 2011, were able to secure training contracts three months prior to graduation. Over the years, these findings have been consistent, and employers in certain sectors have expressed a distinct preference for SMU graduates over graduates from the other universities. Today, our School of Economics graduates continue to pave the way for existing students in terms of school branding, reputation and employability. Additionally, we continue to prepare our growing numbers of students in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes for the working world. We must grow our faculty and update our curriculum to equip our students to acquire the technical skills to analyse data and grasp the relevant theories to make sense of real world problems. Through problem-solving, we provide the opportunity for them to develop tacit knowledge that will be important to function well in novel situations. Internships offer the opportunity to learn skills in people management. Community service and its many opportunities for reflection allow our students to gradually develop a value system that places people above things. From 2011 up to August 2024, we have a total of: Undergraduates 3,444 Master of Science in Economics (MSE) Master of Science in Financial Economics (MSFE) 628 453 MPhil / PhD 151 Faculty As of June 2025, the School has 53 full-time faculty. Graduates In 2024, the following number of graduates received their degrees: • Undergraduates 237 • MSE 54 • MSFE 42 • MPhil / PhD 8 Student Intake For the academic year beginning August 2024, the following number of new students joined our programmes: • Undergraduates 218 • MSE 48 • MSFE 49 • MPhil / PhD 12 Your Contribution Can Make a Difference We have established the SMU School of Economics Student Fund to support well-deserving students with scholarships, financial grants and academic awards, during the course of their learning journeys. Your generosity to this Fund will ensure that our students have the opportunity to flourish through the diverse experiences that our School offers. Do consider making a gift to our Fund in support of our students. We are proud of our local and international alumni. Keep up with your successes and continue to engage with us! Source: Excerpts from above are taken from Daringly Different: The Making of the Singapore Management University by Kevin YL Tan
SMU School of Economics Student Fund CHANGE LIVES FOR THE BETTER. The School of Economics Scholarship (SOE Scholarship) and the School of Economics Academic Award (SOE Academic Award) are made possible by the SMU School of Economics Student Fund (SMU SOE Student Fund). Supported by the generous contribution from our alumni, faculty, staff and SMU community, the SMU SOE Student Fund was established in 2021 to provide financial support and emergency aid to students in need so that they can focus on their academic studies and fully experience the opportunities that an SMU education offers. CREATE A LASTING IMPACT. BE PART OF OUR GIVING COMMUNITY. • Offer pathways that could change society for the better • Create opportunities for learning • Support a student of promise and potential • Alleviate financial stress for disadvantaged students • Build a world of inclusion and diversity We need your support to continue this tradition of giving to our students. We hope that you will give generously to the SMU SOE Student Fund. Give Now: https://smu.sg/SOE
“As a researcher and educator, I am heartened that my students can secure jobs that enable them to impact public good. This gives me a great sense of achievement as a Professor of Economics. I remember the students who had embarked on careers in the Singapore government agencies or those who followed their hearts and minds to pursue PhD programmes elsewhere. I marvel at the good character of some of my students and admire their wonderful upbringing. Smart, articulate, and positive, with these attributes, these students can help to shape the lives of others for the better. I believe that our alumni who help students by contributing to the SMU School of Economics Student Fund will benefit from the joy of giving.” – Chang Pao-Li, Associate Professor Associate Dean (Research and Industry Engagement) “The energy and spirit of the School of Economics are incredible. Our students are young and full of passion and dreams to impact the world. Seeing them thrive is an indescribable joy. I hope the School’s alumni can join us on this journey. Your help can encourage students to take a step forward and inspire them to serve the larger community.” – Lee Gea Myoung, Associate Professor Be part of our community of givers today “Since 2011, the School of Economics has been my “family” – first as a PhD candidate and now as a faculty member. This 10-year journey continues to be intellectually rewarding, and I am deeply appreciative of the funding support from the MOE Research Scholarship during my time as a PhD candidate. This support gave me peace of mind to focus on my dissertation without worrying about tuition fees or living expenses in Singapore. For students who come to SMU from developing nations like myself, financial consideration is a burden. We worry about the need to secure alternative work arrangements to make ends meet. Your contribution to the SMU School of Economics Student Fund will make a real difference to many deserving students with financial difficulties.” – Liu Shew Fan, Senior Lecturer of Statistics, PhD (Economics) 2016 OUR FACULTY
“I have benefitted greatly from my SMU education – countless opportunities, holistic education, wonderful friendships. My hope is that more students can benefit from an SMU education. I contribute to the SMU School of Economics Student Fund to encourage students to strive for excellence and help the School attract the brightest minds. Your gift can inspire others and contribute to our collective impact.” – Heng Xiangle, Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, UBS AG OUR ALUMNI “In 2003, I took the leap of faith to join SMU’s School of Economics, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I had ever made. The inaugural batch at SOE had only 50 students in the old Bukit Timah campus, and SMU felt like a community college. More importantly, SMU prepared me academically and practically for a career in the real world. Its international exchange programme was a perspective-changing immersion into other cultures. My wife, whom I met in SMU, and I strongly feel that no deserving student should be deprived of opportunities due to financial constraints. Therefore, since 2016, we have been contributing a modest gift of scholarship to empower these students. We truly enjoy the gift of giving to our KMVLC scholarship and are always keen to help spread the word. No gift is too small. A touch of kindness or a donation may have a lasting impact on someone else.” – Kenny Mah, Chief Executive Officer, BPI Financial Group Limited
“Your contribution can impact a student positively, financially, emotionally and mentally, giving them motivation and resilience to complete their SMU journey.” – Ivan Chin Graduated in 2022 OUR RECIPIENTS “I urge all alumni to contribute so that more deserving students can be recognised for their hard work and be spurred to strive even harder.” – Sanaya Mahajan Graduated in 2021 “Let’s reduce the financial burden on students so that they can enjoy the process of learning.” – Sydney Seah Graduated in 2021 Please join us in building a supportive and caring community today. Every contribution that you make is tax-deductible. Singapore individuals and corporate tax residents will enjoy 2.5 times tax deductions for approved donations to SMU made from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2026. Thank you for your kind support! Give Now: https://smu.sg/SOE SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS Singapore Management University 90 Stamford Road, Singapore 178903 Email: alumni_econs@smu.edu.sg Website: http://www.economics.smu.edu.sg Information is correct as of August 2025.
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