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
Dear Alumnus, Allow me to share our plans to grow our programme and intake for the School of Economics at the Singapore Management University (SMU). Laying the Foundation Back in 2002, when Founding Dean Roberto S. Mariano assumed leadership, he laid the foundation for a new School at SMU, with just 11 faculty members. I was among this group of pioneers. We set out to create an environment where faculty would be actively engaged in pushing the frontiers of research and bringing these insights into the classroom. Unlike the traditional lecture-tutorial system, this seminar-room mode of pedagogy enabled us to engage students in active debate and discussion on current issues. 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 As of mid-2021, the School of Economics has 57 fulltime faculty. The Commencement Ceremony in 2021 will see 232 undergraduates receive their degrees. For the new academic year beginning August 2021, we have seven new PhD candidates joining the present cohort of 28 doctoral students, 43 new students joining our Master of Science in Economics programme, and another 37 new students entering our Master of Science in Financial Economics programme. 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 realworld 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. 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. I hope that you will consider making a gift to our Fund in support of our students. Thank you. Sincerely, Professor Hoon Hian Teck Dean, School of Economics DEAN’S MESSAGE
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. SMU School of Economics Student Fund 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 “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, Associate Dean (Research) 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 Year 4 student 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 2023. 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
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