Remembering Our Founding Dean, Roberto S. Mariano (1944–2025)
I always say that the bottom line of it is that integrity and being true to your principles is the most important guide for whatever decisions you make later and how you cope with the different situations, different problems. Because in the end you’ve got to be satisfied with what you decide to do and the best guide for it is in terms of one’s integrity and values. And SMU talks about this many times in different forms, but to me that’s one of the most important things, just maintaining your set of values and being true to them."
Professor Roberto S. Mariano, Founding Dean of the School of Economics and Social Sciences at SMU, and Professor of Economics (Emeritus) passed away on 17 April 2025.
Professor Roberto S Mariano was appointed as founding dean of the School of Economics and Social Sciences in 2002. He oversaw the intake of the inaugural classes of the economics and social science bachelor’s programmes in 2002 and 2004 respectively and also served as the Vice Provost for research and Deputy Director of the Wharton-SMU Research Centre. He was Dean of the School of Economics (SOE) from 2007 to 2010. During his tenure as Dean, three graduate programmes were also added: the Master of Science in Applied Economics, Master of Science in Economics, and the PhD in Economics.
Prior to joining SMU, Professor Mariano had been with the University of Pennsylvania from 1971. A distinguished economist and econometrician, Professor Mariano's co-development of the Diebold-Mariano test has become a fundamental tool in econometrics, widely used for evaluating forecast accuracy. Professor Mariano was a Fellow of the Econometric Society, served on its Executive Council representing Southeast and South Asia, and held roles on the Governing Council of the International Association for Statistical Computing. His editorial contributions included appointments to leading journals such as the Journal of the American Statistical Association, International Economic Review, and Econometric Theory. Professor Mariano was a consultant on econometric modelling for forecasting and policy analysis for various central banks, government ministries, stock exchanges, and private companies in Asia and the United States. In 2022, Professor Mariano was appointed by Pope Francis to serve as board member of the Supervisory and Financial Information Authority (ASIF), the Holy See’s financial intelligence and anti-money laundering unit.
He was instrumental in shaping the identity and strength of SOE. Under his visionary leadership, SOE grew into a vibrant community of world-class faculty, outstanding students, dedicated alumni, and strong industry partnerships. SMU’s reputation in econometrics today owes much to the strong academic foundations he laid. At the time he stepped off as Dean, SOE made it into the Tilburg University Top 100 Worldwide Economics Research Rankings.
His foresight also led to the establishment of the Sim Kee Boon Institute for Financial Economics (SKBI) in 2008. Under his able leadership as Founding Director of SKBI (2008 to 2010), SOE and SKBI successfully hosted the 2008 Far Eastern and South Asian Meeting of the Econometric Society meeting. In addition, the Institute initiated and spearheaded numerous conferences, seminars and symposiums on REITs and real estate, corporate governance, silver security and longevity risk. SKBI continues to advance multidisciplinary research in financial economics in collaboration with global academic, industry, and public sector partners.
Beyond his scholarly accomplishments and leadership contributions, he will be remembered as a beloved teacher, mentor, and colleague. Generations of students and young scholars at both UPenn and SMU have been inspired by his intellect, generosity, and unwavering dedication to the pursuit of knowledge.
We mourn the loss of a remarkable academic whose career spanned over five decades and who leaves behind an indelible legacy—not just at SMU, but across the global academic community.
At the launch of the Sim Kee Boon Institute for Financial Economics as Founding Director.
Both Bobby and Julie were greatly respected and loved by students, faculty and staff.
With students at the Bukit Timah Campus.
Working with faculty.
Bobby and Julie with SOE staff.
Inspiring students.
Supporting and advising students.
Professor Emeritus, School of Economics, SMU, 2011–2025
Founding Director, Sim Kee Boon Institute for Financial Economics, SMU, 2008-2010
Dean, School of Economics, SMU, 2007–2010
Founding Dean, School of Economics and Social Sciences, SMU, 2002–2007
Roberto S. Mariano
(1944 – 2025)
Professor Emeritus, School of Economics, SMU, 2011-2025
Founding Director, Sim Kee Boon Institute for Financial Economics, SMU, 2008-2010
Dean, School of Economics, SMU, 2007–2010
Founding Dean, School of Economics and Social Sciences, SMU, 2002–2007
Statistics iPad Game: Customer Service Index (CSI): Agent on a Mission
Center for Teaching Excellence and Rosie Ching, Senior Lecturer from the School of Economics, developed a iPad game designed to teach statistics. Students assume the role of a Customer Service Index (CSI) Agent and will "travel around the world" to solve burning statistical mysteries à la SPY CSI in different countries.
The CSI Agent (player) analyzes and tests the data against a benchmark revealed at the start of the game. The Agent will then be tested and scored through their progress in the game where they will be required to perform tests, in which calculations and analysis figure. Knowledge of basic statistics and external access to statistical tables are required.
Click here to download app.
DS Lee Foundation Award
The award was established in Year 2012 by Dr Della Suantio Lee and DS Lee Foundation. It is given to support junior faculty members for conducting academic and industry relevant research and to participate in international research programs that are crucial to improving the understanding of business.
Year 2013
Associate Professor Fali Huang
Fellow of Society of Actuaries
In order to earn an actuarial professional designation throught the Society of Actuaries (SOA) is USA, a candidate needs to pass a particular series of examinations depending on which track he/she chooses.
Year 2013
Lee Foundation Fellowship Award
The Lee Foundation Fellowship for Research Excellence was established with a donation made to Singapore Management University (SMU) to enable the recipients to participate in international research programs.
FY 2009/10
Assistant Professor Do Quoc-Anh
FY 2006/07
Assistant Professor Brishti Guha
Assistant Professor Tomoki Fujii
FY 2004/05
Assistant Professor Huang Fali
FY 2002/03
MOE Academic Research Fund (AcRF Tier 2)
The MOE Academic Research Fund (AcRF) Tier 2 funds research projects on a competitive basis across Singapore-based universities. The AcRF supports research in Singapore based universities that have academic significance and a good potential for creating new knowledge that will benefit the larger academic community. The research outcomes should also drive future research, potentially leading to innovations and discoveries.
Year 2013
Associate Professor Jin Sainan
Professor Su Liangjun
Year 2012
Year 2007
Lee Kuan Yew Fellowship for Research Excellence
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew made a donation to Singapore Management University (SMU) to promote research and help SMU build up its international standing. The focus of research will be on business/economics/law topics and the research generated should be publishable in top-tier journals or as books published by reputable academic publishers.
Every year, outstanding SMU faculty will be chosen by the SMU Research Committee as Lee Kuan Yew Fellows for Research Excellence based on their completed research project funded in the calendar year.
Year 2011
Associate Professor Su Liangjun
Year 2010
Year 2006
Professor Tse Yiu Kuen
Associate Professor Yang Zhenlin
Year 2005
Year 2004
Associate Professor Denis Leung
Honourable Mention
Year 2003
Associate Professor Winston T. H. Koh
Year 2002
Sing Lun Fellowship Award
The Sing Lun Fellowship provides up to $30,000 of research grants each year in perpetuity for young SMU faculty members to tap into. Besides according porfessional recognition to promising faculty, the Fellowship will also support successful Fellows in a diverse range of studies and to produce industry-relevant research crucial to improving the understanding of business and the global economy.
Besides helping to create an intellectually stimulating and vibrant environment for students, faculty and the wider community, the Fellowship accelerates SMU's efforts in building knowledge leadership in the areas of business, finance, accounting, economics, information systems, social sciences and law in Singapore.
Year 2011
Assistant Professor Davin Chor
Society of Actuaries Educational Institution Grant
SOA Educational Institution Grant (FSA Grant) is a recognition of designation attainment by full-time academic faculty.
Year 2013
SOE Teaching Excellence Award
The SOE Teaching Excellence Award is to honour the top teaching staff whose abilities and efforts in teaching excellence are recognised by the School of Economics. Award winners are selected based on their outstanding teaching performance evaluation, methodology and inspirational teaching. The recipients of this award are nominated for SMU's Annual Teaching Excellence Awards.
Year 2013
Professor Kwong Koon Shing
Assistant Professor Zhang Haiping
Year 2012
Year 2011
SOE Research Excellence Award
The SOE Research Excellence Award is given to a faculty member to recognize his or her outstanding contribution to research excellence in SOE.
Year 2013
Professor Shurojit Chatterji
Associate Professor Jin Sainan
Year 2012
Associate Professor Chang Pao-Li
Associate Professor Huang Fali
Year 2011
Assistant Professor Davin Chor
Year 2010
Associate Professor Su Liangjun
SMU Teaching Excellence Award
The award recipients were selected by the Faculty Advisory Committee for Teaching and Learning, after reviewing evidences of their teaching effectiveness and contributions to the scholarship of teaching and learning. Pleace click here to learn more about the categories and nominations for the SMU Teaching Excellence Awards.
Innovative Teacher Award
Year 2011
Year 2008
Excellent Teacher Award
Year 2013
Most Promising Teacher Award
Year 2013
Assistant Professor Christine Ho
Distinguished Educator
Year 2014
Professor Augustine H H Tan
SMU Teaching and Research Excellence in Management Practice, Postgraduate Professional Programmes and Executive Development Programmes
The recipients of the awards were selected by the Evaluation Committee after reviewing their teaching performances and contributions to scholarship of teaching and learning.
Teaching Excellence in SMU Executive Development Award
Year 2014
Professor Augustine H H Tan
The ability to guide and facilitate the learning process of students lies in the skills, knowledge and practical experience of our professors. The School has successfully attracted bright academics with extensive experience in research, teaching, and consultancy from around the world to join our faculty, building an exciting diversity of talent. A number of faculty members serve as members on national councils, editors or editorial board members of prestigious scholarly journals, and are recipients of international scholarly awards. As of September 2024, the School of Economics has a total of 51 full-time faculty.
