office of alumni relations (smu) annual report

8/16/2019 Office of Alumni Relations (SMU) Annual Report

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YEAR IN REVIEW | JAN 2015 - MAR 2016

ALUMNIF O R L I F E

Office of

Alumni Relations


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On the cover:

SMU Alumni Mentors from left to right –

Shrawan Saraogi (BSc (Econ), 2010)

Claire Ariela Shen (BSocSc, 2009)Lester Lim Sen Hong (MAF, 2006)


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CONENSOfce of Alumni Relations (OAR)

OAR's Vision and Mission

Message from SMU President

Message from SMU Provost

Message from OAR Director

Alumni By The Numbers

Deeper Engagement, Stronger Networks

Renewing Ties, Building Connections

Staying Connected

Keeping the SMU Spirit Alive

Alumni Events: The Year in Review

Contact OAR

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4/56SINGAPORE MANAGEMENT UNIVERSITY | OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

2 OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

The role of the Ofce of Alumni Relations (OAR) is to foster greater afnity between our alumni andSMU faculty, staff and students, as well as to build a cohesive alumni community. Having a broad array ofprogrammes and initiatives to reach out to our 17,000 alumni worldwide ensures the building of strongconnections that will last a lifetime. SMU Schools and ofces, alumni and student leaders, also pitch in to raise the level of alumni engagement.

From left to right : Jocelyn Thng, Adeline Bek, Eileen Choo, A/Prof Low Aik Meng, Valerie Koh, Febrita Suwardy, Intan Darvina Bte Rahmat,

Ivan Low, Kase Tan, Berlinda Gooi, Elaine Lim

OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONSabout



3

SINGAPORE MANAGEMENT UNIVERSITY | OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

3OAR'S VISION AND MISSION

A passionate and highly engaged alumnicommunity with lasting ties to SMU

To build and strengthen relationships withalumni and involve them in supporting SMU’saspirations through the giving of their time,talents and resources

vision

mission



4 MESSAGE FROM SMU PRESIDENT

A strong alumni community is integral to any greatuniversity; hence SMU’s 2025 Vision of life-longassociation with alumni. The relationship is symbiotic- with SMU supporting alumni as they venture out to achieve success and recognition, and our alumnicontributing back to bolster the success of theiralma mater. The value of SMU’s degree offerings areinextricably linked to the reputation of SMU.

Building a strong alumni network matters. Alumnican be great role models and mentors to currentstudents. With their skills and experiences, theycan return to counsel and coach students so that

they too can excel and uplift the image of theuniversity. Beyond SMU, our alumni are also ourambassadors, both locally and internationally. With their professional and social networks, as well asexcelling in their careers and various endeavours, they can contribute to building a strong SMU brand.

As we celebrate SMU’s 15 th anniversary in a shortbut remarkable 15 years, I am heartened to see thegrowing involvement of our alumni and encouraged tosee them giving back and returning to serve in myriadways. From my interactions with alumni at manyevents and alumni gatherings, I’m glad to witness theirpassion and enthusiasm for their alma mater.

SMU will continue to maintain and build strongconnections with our alumni through various modes ofengagement. This annual report is one of them. It serves

to keep our alumni updated on past developmentsand make them a part of SMU’s future.

To our alumni, thank you for holding the SMU aghigh, and for upholding the SMU spirit. This report is a testament to your contributions.

Professor Arnoud De Meyer

SMU PRESIDENTmessage from


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5MESSAGE FROM SMU PROVOST

Good alumni relations benet alumni as well as theinstitution.

The role of SMU’s Ofce of Alumni Relations (OAR)is to keep our alumni engaged and connected, and to ensure that the relationship is mutually rewarding.

With a new tagline “Students Today, Alumni For Life”,OAR’s mandate is to conscientiously cultivate andengage alumni and students (our future alumni). To this end, it has installed a wide array of programmesand initiatives, some in collaboration with Schoolsand ofces, so that our alumni have reasons tocome back. I am pleased to note that many have

been returning to assist Schools in student admission,advise on curriculum development, and conductworkshops and seminars. This bodes well for thefuture of SMU. It will ensure that future graduatesare well-prepared for the work place.

To give you another reason to come back, SMU ispleased to support the SMU Alumni Association with

the launch of an alumni cafe, Tonic-X, at the SMUConcourse. It is a space for alumni to network and

interact with the rest of the SMU community. Tonic-Xis the prelude to an Alumni Club House, a “home ofour own” for SMU alumni. With your support, it won’tbe very long before this dream becomes a reality!

I am pleased that more and more of our graduatesare making a positive difference in the community.Your successes align closely with the reputation ofSMU and the quality of our degrees, and enhance the marketability of our graduates. As our graduatescontinue to make an impact on society, it will not be

too long before SMU takes its place as the best in Asiaand the world.

Wherever your paths may take you, you will always bea member of the SMU family. It is a lifelong relationship.You are an Alumnus for Life!

Professor Lily Kong

SMU PROVOSTmessage from


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6 MESSAGE FROM DIRECTOR, ALUMNI RELATIONS

OAR DIRECTOR message from

One of SMU’s strategic thrusts in its 2025 visionis to cultivate lifelong engagement and afliationwith alumni. The Ofce of Alumni Relations (OAR)is tasked with building this strong relationship usingmultiple engagement points.

“Alumni For Life” is our inaugural annual report toour alumni and other stakeholders for the nancialyear 2015/16. It provides an overview of the year’sprogrammes, events, and new initiatives to fostergreater engagement.

The past year had been hectic with a myriad of

events aimed at bringing our alumni home. Theseincluded a series of events named “SMU InteractionNights” targeted at students and alumni from variousinterest groups. The Alumni Mentoring Programmecontinued to attract alumni mentors who returnedregularly to coach their juniors. Other initiatives werenew, such as the SMU Industr y Night series organisedfor alumni in different industries, and the Career

and Professional Development Programme. The yearended with the Alumni Recognition Ceremony toexpress our deep appreciation to the many alumniwho selessly gave back.

The accomplishments would not have been possiblewithout the collaboration of SMU Schools and ofces, the SMU Alumni Association, alumni leaders, alumnigroups and class representatives, alumni volunteers,and student clubs and groups. Our thanks to all whoparticipated to make 2015/16 an exhilarating year. This

report captures the highlights.

We look forward to journeying with you as weorganise more activities, and launch new programmesin 2016/17. Do come back to your alma mater, renew ties with your peers, and relive the memories of good times.

Associate Professor Low Aik Meng


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7ALUMNI BY THE NUMBERS

SCHOOL &NUMBER OF

ALUMNI(Undergraduate & Postgraduate)

16,691 ALUMNI POPULAION

Lee Kong ChianSchool of Business

8,883 (53%)

School of Social

Sciences933 (6%)

School of

Accountancy 2,380 (14%)

School ofEconomics

1,819 (11%)

School of

Information Systems2,060 (12%)

School of Law757 (4%)

ALUMNI BY HE NUMBERSas of 31 December 2015

undergraduate alumni

13,502

postgraduate alumni

3,330

OAL NUMBER OF:


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8 DEEPER ENGAGEMENT, STRONGER NETWORKS

STRONGER NETWORKS

deeper engagement,


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9DEEPER ENGAGEMENT, STRONGER NETWORKS

ALUMNI ENGAGEMEN SRAEGIES

Foster meaningful ties between alumni andother SMU stakeholders

Engage students as future alumni

Collaborate with other SMU stakeholdersin engaging alumni and students

Provide life-long learning and careeropportunities for alumni

Create opportunities for alumni to giveback of their time, talents and resources

1

2

3

5

6

Strengthen communications with alumniand other SMU stakeholders4

10 DEEPER ENGAGEMENT STRONGER NETWORKS


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The SMU Alumni Association (SMUAA) partnersOAR to cultivate a mutually rewarding relationshipbetween alumni and their alma mater. It providesprogrammes and services to strengthen alumnibonds and enhance afliation to SMU, and at thesame time, leverages on the resources and talents

of alumni to achieve the aspirations of the university.

Joining the SMUAA as members is one of the bestways for alumni to maintain close ties with their almamater; membership also accords special benets andprivileges.

Membership Benefits & Privileges• Access to Campus buildings and facilities such asgym and swimming pool

• Discounts at SMU Alumni Cafe - Tonic-X• Special rates for Career and Professional

Development Programmes• Access to University Lounge• Walk-in access to Li Ka Shing Library

SMUalumniassociation

11DEEPER ENGAGEMENT STRONGER NETWORKS


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SMUAA 7th Executive Committee

Following the 9 th Annual General Meeting held on5th December 2014, the 7 th Executive Committeewas elected to serve a term of two years untilDecember 2016.

Deborah Wee Shu Zhen BSocSc, 2009President

Aaron Sng Kah Huei BSc (Econ), 2014Allan Tan Tse Chen MAF, 2012Amritpal Singh Sidhu BSc (ISM), 2012Cai Mingyi BAcc, 2008

Chalene Aw Jialing BBM, 2008Elaine Ong BBM, 2006Er Si Yi Cheryl BAcc, 2014 Jean Jaime Chia Qiaoying BBM, 2014 Jose Paolo Boquiren BSc (Econ), 2007Krystal Wang Yang Zhi BBM, 2012Lai Chih Ching, Ford BBM, 2007Mok Zhen Yuan Jezreel BSc (ISM), 2007

See Jingzhong BBM, 2007 MWM, 2013Wong Pui Meng, Nicholas BAcc, 2007

12 DEEPER ENGAGEMENT STRONGER NETWORKS


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Alumni Groups play a crucial role in buildingstrong engagements amongst alumni and with their alma mater. Groups formed are school-based,programme-based, interest-based, and afnity-based, reecting the close ties built by alumniwhilst at university or professionally. Whilst Alumni

Groups are formed under SMUAA, they arestrongly supported by OAR, showing the symbioticrelationship between SMUAA and OAR. Individualalumni groups receive funding from SMUAA toconduct at least two engagement events a year.

Newly minted alumni are automatically admittedinto school-based alumni groups. That way, they stayconnected with their peers and professors beyondgraduation.

School-Based

• Lee Kong Chian School of Business AlumniGroup

• School of Accountancy Alumni Group• School of Economics Alumni Group

• School of Information Systems Alumni Group• School of Law Alumni Group• School of Social Sciences Alumni Group

ALUMNIgroups

Launch of Flare Alumni Group



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13G G , S O G WO S

wo new (one interest-based

and one affinity-based) Alumni Groups were formedlast year.

Alumni can also connect with one another through ourwide-ranging interest-based and afnity alumni groups;providing something for everyone.

Interest-Based

• Flare Alumni Group - New • Football Alumni Group• International Moots Alumni Group• Sailing Club Alumni Group• SINO Alumni Group• Wine and Dine Alumni Group

Affinity-Based

• Business Families Alumni Group• SMUpreneurs (SMU Entrepreneurs Alumni Group)

- New

• Mutual Funds Alumni Group• Real Estate and Alternative Investment Alumni Group

Launch of SMUpreneurs



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SMU has more than 20 postgraduate programmes. Tokeep graduates from these programmes connected,postgraduate Alumni Groups have been established formany of the programmes.

Postgraduate alumni are automatically admitted into these programme-based groups, depending on the

programmes they graduated from. The small classeswhilst in school foster a strong sense of belonging andloyalty amongst members of each alumni group.

Programme-Based (Postgraduate)

• Executive Master of Business Administration Alumni

Group - New • Juris Doctor Alumni Group - New • Master of Business Administration Alumni Group• Master of Science in Communication Management Alumni Group - New • Master of IT in Business Alumni Group• Master of Laws Alumni Group - New • Master of Professional Accounting Alumni Group

• Master of Science in Applied Finance Alumni Group• Master of Science in Management Alumni Group - New • Master of Science in Wealth Management Alumni Group - New

o-date there are tenpostgraduate AlumniGroups, with six new groupsformed in the last one year.

Launch of EMBA Alumni Group

Launch of MCM Alumni Group



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ALUMNIchapters

SMU alumni have marked their footprints all over the world! Overseas alumni play an important rolein strengthening SMU’s presence globally. They areour advocates and they advance the SMU brand. Asour alumni mature and go places, Alumni Chaptershave sprouted in several overseas cities to keep our

global alumni community connected. They play animportant part in supporting SMU’s initiatives andprogrammes and growing our international network.

Each chapter is led by an executive committeeof alumni volunteers. Tere are currently 10 Alumni Chapters in 11 cities.

Alumni Chapter Presidents with SMU President Arnoud De Meyer (third from left)



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ALUMNI CHAPERS

Shanghai, China

Jakarta, Indonesia

Beijing, China New York, USA

Mumbai andKolkata, India

Yangon,Myanmar

Xiamen,China

London,UK

Hong KongSAR, China

Dubai,UAE


17RENEWING TIES, BUILDING CONNECTIONS


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BUILDING CONNECTIONS

renewing ties,


18 RENEWING TIES, BUILDING CONNECTIONS


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ALUMNIHOMECOMING@patron's day 2016

SMU celebrated its 16 th Patron's Day on 5 th February2016. The event was graced by SMU Patron,President of Singapore Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, and joined by SMU Board of Trustees, staff, faculty, donorsand current students.

In conjunction with the auspicious occasion, OARorganised “Alumni Homecoming @ Patron’s Day”so that our alumni can return back to celebrate thesuccesses of the last 16 years, and reect on theprogress that has made SMU a force to be reckonedwith in the years ahead.

Alumni Homecoming @ Patron's Day 2016



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More than 200 alumni, from the 'Bukit Timah' years to the 2015 cohort, rekindled their friendships andmade new friends, as they relived their studentexperiences and network over drinks whilst takingin the views of Campus Green. Memories werecaptured on instant printouts, as alumni hashtagged

their photos #sgSMUalumni on Instagram.

Alumni at the homecoming event held at 7KickStart

Alumni Homecoming @ Patron's Day 2016 on 5th February



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CLASSreunions

Class Reunions offer alumni an opportunity to comeback to campus to relive the memories of studentexperiences, and to reconnect with their peers and the SMU community. OAR organises milestonereunions every ve years for each graduating cohort.The rst reunion was held in 2014 for the pioneer

cohort. Now that SMU has reached its 16 th year,future years will see three or more class reunionsevery year. In 2015, celebrations were held on 10 th October for the Class of 2005 and the Class of 2010.

10th Year Reunion on 10 October 2015



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10th Year Reunion on 10 October 2015

10th Year Reunion

More than 110 alumni from the Class of 2005, manyfrom overseas, gathered at the SMU UniversityLounge for the 10 th Year reunion with the theme“Strung Together for Good Times”. Guest of Honour

and Chairman of SMU Board of Trustees, Mr HoKwon Ping exhorted alumni to be courageous indoing what was right. Chairperson of the OrganisingCommittee alumna Lim Kexin (BAcc, 2005) whowas stationed overseas, travelled home regularly toplan the successful event with members. Her teammembers were Wong Hur Ming (BBM, 2005), LorettaChen (BBM, 2005), Ben See Toh (BAcc, 2005), and

Michelle Loh (BBM, 2005).


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PG ALUMNInetworkingeventsCollaborations with PostgraduateProgramme Offices

OAR is not an island and believes that thekey to effective engagement is collaboration. Thiscollaboration is particularly crucial for postgraduatestudents as their tenure of studies is much shorter than that of undergraduate students.

The ofce has been collaborating closely withSMU’s postgraduate programme ofces in engagingstudents as future alumni and reinforcing the SMUidentity. This engagement commences from their

enrolment orientation to various touch points throughout the year till their graduation. OARstaff participate in orientation events, networkingevents involving students and alumni events, andgraduation celebrations. This smoothens the transition of postgraduate students to alumni, andcontributes to the building of a strong postgraduatealumni community. Currently OAR collaborateswith postgraduate ofces for 21 postgraduateprogrammes.

LLM Alumni Gathering

MWM Alumni Dinner


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In the period between March 2015 to March 2016,OAR organised several Interaction Nights, with thesupport of schools and ofces, (such as the Ofceof Student Life and the Mrs Wong Kwok LeongWellnessCentre), SMUAA, student clubs and alumnigroups.

• 19 March 2015 This event was aimed at connecting alumni leaders

and student leaders since SMU's inception in

2000. More than 110 alumni and student leaderswho served or are serving in the SMU StudentsAdvisory Council, the SMU Alumni Association,and CCA clubs were present. It was a night ofnostalgia, as alumni reminisced about the goodold times, and shared wise words with their juniors.

• 29 May 2015 The SMU Sports Union, a constituent body,

is possibly the largest student group in SMU.

Participation and competition in sports createstrong bonds. It was a night of camaraderie, as the more than 80 alumni and students presentreected on the high points in their sportingendeavors.

• 17 June 2015

The Freshmen Teambuilding (FTB) Camp is a riteof passage for all SMU students. FTB facilitatorsand leaders used these camps to inculcate theSMU CIRCLE values in freshmen. The weeks of training to be facilitators closely bonded thesespecial individuals, so it wasn’t surprising whensome 140 alumni and students returned toshare memories on how their contributions had

impacted the lives of their juniors.

• 25 June 2015 Alumni Mentors are a seless breed who

volunteer year after year in the SMU AlumniMentoring Programme so that their studentmentees can achieve success in their lives and

career. Some 90 mentors and mentees met toshare their experiences on how to be even moreeffective mentors.Past and Present Student Leaders



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• 14 August 2015 Academic studies in SMU can be immensely

stressful, and some may have difculties coping.Each year since 2005, a special group of individuals

volunteered to undergo training with professionalSMU counsellors, so that they can effectively lenda listening ear to their peers. About 100 alumniand student Peer Helpers came together basedon their shared interest in helping others.

• 4 September 2015 Five years is too long a time for alumni to be away

from their alma mater ; so with effect from 2015, acombination of Interaction Nights and Reunionswill be organised, so that each class will returnevery two to three years. More than 30 alumnifrom the Class of 2006 returned on 4 September to renew old ties.

• 9 September 2015 The SMU Arts and Culture Fraternity (ACF)

comprising numerous student clubs plays animportant role in the life of the university. Eachyear, these clubs will perform at signicant eventssuch as Convocation, Patron’s Day, etc. Their lovefor arts and culture glues them together, so on9 th September more than 90 alumni and studentscame together to share their common interests.

• 27 October 2015 SMU Extremists (SMUX), a constituent student

body, brings together students with a passion forextreme sports. Long after graduation, alumnicontinue to return to engage in outdoor sportsand adventure with students. Some 80 alumniand students met on 27 th October to share futureendeavors.

• 11 February 2016 Interaction Nights have gone through one cycle

since the start in March 2015. For the rst in the2016 series, some 120 past and present leaderswere present for the event including seven pastpresidents of the SMU Student Association,including its rst President Mahesh Primalani whomade an address exhorting alumni to return back to support their alma mater.

SMU Alumni Mentors and Student Mentees



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The SMU Industry Night series is a new initiativeaimed at providing SMU alumni with a platform tomeet their peers in the same industry, and to expand their professional network of contacts. At these events,alumni also get to meet industry professionals and gainaccess to career oppor tunities.

As our alumni are busy professionals, events are usuallyheld in the Central Business District with proximity to their workplace. Four events were held in 2015 targeting different industries.

• 28 April Industry Night for the Public Sector, Non-

Governmental Organisation and Social Servicessectors was attended by some 70 alumni. MsDenise Phua, Mayor of Central Singapore District,was the guest speaker. She regaled the audiencewith a touching story of how she left her job tovolunteer in the special needs/disability sector.

• 14 May Industry Night for the Banking and Finance industry

saw good response with more than 140 alumniattending. The keynote speaker was Mr HengKoon How (MWM, 2010), Director and Senior FXStrategist of Asia Pacic at Credit Suisse. He shared

his insights on currency movements and the impactof FX risks on investments.

• 27 August More than 130 alumni attended the Industry Night

for the Information Technology sector. Dean ofSMU School of Information Systems ProfessorSteven Miller interacted with alumni, and used theoccasion to brief his alumni on developments in theSchool of Information Systems.

• 19 November The last Industry Night for the year was for alumni

in the accounting, audit, tax and consulting sectors.As new Dean, Professor Cheng Qiang shared his

vision for the School of Accountancy with some 80alumni attending the event. Faculty showed up inforce to meet their alumni.

SMUindustrynights

SMU Industry Night for the Banking and Finance Industry



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This new initiative is aimed at providing ouralumni with opportunities to meet their career andprofessional development needs, in collaborationwith SMU Schools and ofces, the SMUAA, andindustry partners.

The newly launched Alumni ProfessionalDevelopment Series under this Programmecomprises talks and workshops to equip alumni withindustry knowledge and “soft” skills. Two workshopsorganised were:

• 20 August Understanding one’s thinking and behavioural

preferences to enhance the effectivenessof personal and professional relationships(organised in collaboration with EmergeneticsInternational Asia-Pacic)

• 28 OctoberThe importance of building a strong professional

presence online (in partnership with LinkedIn).

ALUMNI CAREER & professional development

Talk on the Importance of Building A Strong ProfessionalPresence Online

Workshop on Understanding One's Thinking andBehavioural Preferences



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SMUAAindustry talks

2015 saw two new series organised by SMUAA.Fireside Chats provided a platform to encourageintellectual debate and discourse amongst alumnion a variety of topics. Conversations@SMU broughtalumni from different industries back to campus toshare their real-world experiences with students and

other alumni.

• 28 January Fireside Chat with speaker Mr Ivan Heng, CulturalMedallion 2013 winner. He shared his views on theatre, politics and other aspects of Singapore.

• 30 September Fireside Chat with speakers Mr Viswa Sadasivan,

CEO of Strategic Moves and founder and Editor-in-Chief of IQ [Inconvenient Questions], andProfessor David Chan, Director of the BehaviouralSciences Institute (BSI) at SMU, togetherwith moderator Mr Terence Quek, Presidentof the Master of Science in Communication

Management (MCM) Alumni Group and CEOof Emergenetics International - Asia Pacic. The

session focused on the socio-political landscapeof Singapore in the next 50 years.

• 26 August Conversation on Private Equity by three alumni

speakers; Tee Yock Siong (BBM, 2006) from Afnity

Equity Partners, Tong Junjie (BAcc, 2009) fromHeadland Capital Partners, and Vorapol “Brook”Supanusonti (BBM, 2009) from General Atlantic.The three speakers candidly engaged with alumniand students on their daily lives, challenges, andrewards, as private equity investors.

• 22 SeptemberConversation on Food and Beverage with SMUalumni, Chung Deming (BBM, 2006) and JeremyNguee (BAcc, 2006). They shared about theirlove for food, challenges and rewards faced aschefs and business owners.

SMU Fireside Chat



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SENIOR YEAR experience

Initiated in 2014, the Senior Year Experience seriesis aimed at deepening connections and engagementwith graduating students before they leave theiralma mater. In collaboration with School Clubs and the participation of faculty and staff, the eventsalso provide the opportunity for SMU to bid our

graduating students farewell as they venture towardsnew endeavors. The initiative allows OAR to get toknow the students better before they transition intoalumni life. For students, the events are a reminder to look back and reect on their academic journey,celebrate their achievements, and prepare them for the future ahead.

SMU Graduates' Night 2015



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January 2015 to March 2016 list of SYE events:

• 27 January

SYE'15: Senior Kickoff • 12 March SYE'15: Senior Disorientation

• 8 April SYE'15: Senior Supper Run

• 6 April & 5 November SYE'15: New Graduate’s Guide to Personal Finance Talk

• 3 & 4 July SYE'15: Cap & Gown Day

• 11 July

SYE'15: Photo Day 2015

• 16 July SYE'15: Graduates' Night 2015

• 8 September SYE'16: New Graduate's Guide to Personal Finance Talk

• 10 March SYE'16: Can YOU Afford It? Basic Financial Planning

Series for Graduating Students

• 24 MarchSYE'16: Bondue Graduates' Night

• 31 MarchSYE'16: ASOC Seniors' Night

SYE 2015 provided the platform for2,342 seniors from the GraduatingClass of 2015 to remember theirstudent journey, celebrate theirachievements, and bring theiruniversity experience to a successfulclose.

www.facebook.com/groups/sgSMU.GraduatingClass2015

www.facebook.com/groups/sgSMU.GraduatingClass2016

Photo Day 2015



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The reputation of universities depend on theiralumni and students. The success of graduates impact their alma mater. Top universities also depend on thecontributions of their alumni. Despite SMU’s relativeyouth, many alumni have been giving back throughdonations and volunteerism. Active participation by

alumni such as mentoring students, coaching their juniors in co-curricular activities and for competitions,assisting schools in the student admission process,

ALUMNIrecognitionceremony

indicates to students that our alumni had very positivestudent experiences. It inspires students (our futurealumni) to continue their involvement after graduation, thus perpetuating the cycle. Many have also returned

to serve as alumni leaders to engage alumni and built astrong alumni community.

To recognise these special individuals who continue to exemplify the SMU spirit, an Alumni RecognitionCeremony was held on 23rd October 2015.Nominations were received from SMU schools, ofces,student clubs, and alumni. We salute the more than

250 alumni, who received commendation for theirseless contributions (including alumni mentors andalumni leaders).



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alumni

alumni

RISINGSAR

PRIDE

15 alumni wereacknowledged forachievements in theircareers, and impactful

community involvement.

16 alumni who hadrendered exceptionalleadership and service toSMU were recognised.

CAEGORIES:

alumniSPIRI 15 alumni who had

contributed to enhancingSMU student life wererecognised.

Alumni Rising Star 2015 Recipients

Alumni Pride 2015 Recipients

Alumni Spirit 2015 Recipients



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SMU also showed its appreciation to the many alumni

volunteers who dedicated their efforts to building avibrant alumni community. These volunteers assistedin deepening connections between students andalumni, alumni and alumni, and alumni and their almamater. They are integral to SMU’s future success as they raise the prole of SMU.

PG Alumni Representativeswere recognised for their role inmaintaining the bonds amongst their cohort and with SMU.

alumni

GROUPS Executive committee members in Alumni Groups wererecognised for providing leadership in steering theirrespective groups. These groups provide opportunitiesfor both undergraduate and postgraduate alumni toconnect in niche networks based on afnity to schools,interests, industry, or academic programmes.

postgraduate alumnirepresentatives

SIS Alumni Group



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alumni

SMU alumni

MENORS

ambassadors

Alumni mentorscontribute to thesuccess of theirmentees both in lifeand career. Alumniwho regularly returned to mentor studentswere honoured at theceremony.

This new group comprising both postgraduate and undergraduatealumni was launched at the Ceremony. The role of the 24ambassadors is to advise OAR on strategies for more effectivealumni engagement, and to assist in fostering connections with the

alumni community.

alumni overseaschapter leaders Executive committee members of chapters wereacknowledged at the ceremony. They play an impor tant rolein building cohesive alumni communities overseas, and inextending SMU’s global footprints. Some ew home for theevent.

SMU Alumni Mentors



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The SMU alumni community has come of age! Witha 17,000-strong community, it was deemed that the time was ripe for alumni to have a dedicated venuewhere they could meet and network.Thanks to thededication of the SMUAA Executive Committee,Tonic-X spearheaded by Vice-President Nicholas

Wong was launched on 4 th

March 2016. It is locatedat the SMU Concourse, a “home of our own” forSMU alumni. Its ambience is evocative of chic cafeswhich will appeal to our youthful alumni.

Some 140 alumni, faculty, and staff attended thelaunch ceremony by SMU President ProfessorArnoud De Meyer. After a resounding lion dance

performance to usher in a successful beginning forTonic-X, President Arnoud gave a toast to all thosewho had contributed in making Tonic-X a reality foralumni. In his speech, he said “Tonic-X represents theX-factor of SMU - of excellence, experiment andexcitement. This is a major milestone for SMUAA. It takes a great university with great alumni to come up

with an initiative like this. You are indeed alumni whomake a difference.” He continued, “This is the start to

ALUMNI CAFÉtonic-x

SMU President Arnoud De Meyer addressing the crowd atthe launch of Tonic X



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the building of even stronger relationships amongstalumni. The success of this cafe is the prelude to analumni clubhouse for our great University."

OAR Director, Associate Professor Low Aik Mengencouraged all alumni present to come back toSMU often, especially to Tonic-X. He said, “This is theplace for you to network, to spend evenings withfamily and friends. Make this place a real home ofyour own.”

A highlight of the evening was the performances by analumni band from the SoundFoundry Alumni Group- Trella Trio. It was cer tainly a night to remember!

The next step? The broader vision of an Alumni ClubHouse!

www.thetonicx.com

Opening Ceremony at the Launch of Tonic X

Celebrating the Ofcial Launch of Tonic X

38 STAYING CONNECTED


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CONNECTED

staying


39STAYING CONNECTED


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SMUCIRCLE

From SMU Encore! to SMU CIRCLE – A New Name and a New Look!

SMU Encore! the alumni e-newsletter, previouslyserved only the alumni community. On 15 th August2015, the e-newsletter acquired a new name and

a new look, and became more inclusive. It is nowcirculated to the entire SMU family, so that everyonein our circle – alumni, students, faculty, and staff -can connect; hence the new name SMU CIRCLE.The name also depicts the SMU CIRCLE values ofCommitment, Integrity, Responsibility, Collegiality,Leadership, and Excellence embraced by the SMU

community.With the new name, the e-newsletter was alsorefreshed with a new design and layout. It continues to be distributed on the 15 th of each month. SMUCIRCLE aims to keep our alumni engaged andconnected to SMU as a close-knit community.

40 STAYING CONNECTED


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SOCIALmedia

The SMU alumni community is young and vibrant.The bonds of our alumni whilst they were studentsextend beyond the classrooms. Bonds forged whilstworking in project groups, at the Freshmen TeamBuilding Camps, participating in co-curricular activities,serving as student leaders and in student groups, and

staying in SMU hostel are enduring and continuelong after graduation. To perpetuate the connections,OAR has introduced social media platforms to allowour alumni to maintain and expand their networks.

fb.com/sgSMU.alumni

@sgsmualumni

smu.sg/alumni-linkedin

41STAYING CONNECTED


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phonathon

The Phonathon programme was launched in mid-2015, with the aim of keeping in touch with alumni.Staff and students are trained to engage them through telephone calls, provide them with updateson campus news, encourage them to participate involunteering or philanthropic initiatives and alumni

events, or to obtain their latest contact details.

42 KEEPING THE SMU SPIRIT ALIVE


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SINGAPORE MANAGEMENT UNIVERSITY | OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONSSINGAPORE MANAGEMENT UNIVERSITY | OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

SMU SPIRIT ALIVE

keeping the

43KEEPING THE SMU SPIRIT ALIVE


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The Alumni Mentoring Programme, started in 2010,has seen over 700 alumni volunteering as mentors.The participation of alumni in the programmeis crucial in helping to shape the future of SMUstudents through sharing of experiences and insights.Alumni can encourage their juniors to reach their

fullest potential, and to achieve their career anddevelopment goals.

2015 saw two mentoring runs (10 th and 11 th inseries), each lasting a period of ve months.

SMU ALUMNImentoring programme



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220 alumni mentors were paired with 150 students in the 10 th run starting March 2015. The 11 th run whichstarted in October 2015 attracted about 250 alumni.

The programme which, in addition to making adifference to the lives of students, also contributes tobuilding a nurturing relationship between alumni and

students, and fostering a sense of pride and belonging towards SMU.

Conscientious alumni mentors who volunteered more than three times were recognised during the AlumniRecognition Ceremony 2015.



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ALUMNIleaders

The SMU Alumni Association (SMUAA) andAlumni Groups play a signicant part in the buildingof a vibrant alumni community. Their role in fosteringdeeper alumni engagement is critical to the successof SMU in the long term. SMU alumni, bothpostgraduate and undergraduate, can contribute to this success by volunteering as alumni leaders. SMUAA will be electing new leaders in December2016. SMUAA needs committed leaders to bringSMUAA to the next level.

Alumni Groups are niche communities based onSchools, academic programmes, interests, and

industries. Group leaders play a critical role inspearheading initiatives for their groups.

Make a difference by volunteering your time and talents as leaders or to star t new groups!

Left to Right: EMBA Alumni Group President Allan Foo (EMBA, 2012), MWM Alumni Group President Fong Wai Sun (MWM, 2007), and

MAF Alumni Group President Adeline Loh (MAF, 2014)


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PG ALUMNIrepresentatives

The Postgraduate Alumni Representatives initiativewas established in 2015, with alumni representativesappointed for each graduating cohort. Their role is to connect SMU with alumni from the respectivepostgraduate programmes.

Tere are currently 43 Representatives fromthe following postgraduate programmes:

• Executive Master of Business Administration• Global Master of Finance• Master of Business Administration• Master of Laws• Master of Professional Accounting

• Master of Science in Applied Finance• Master of Science in Communication Management• Master of Science in Innovation• Master of Science in Management• Master of Science in Quantitative Finance• Master of Science in Wealth Management

• Master of Tri-Sector Collaboration MWM Alumni Representatives



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gifts

The relationship between alumni and their almamater is symbiotic. The success of our alumniimpacts the reputation of SMU, our ability to attract top students, and the career prospects of graduates.Similarly SMU’s stature will impact the value of SMUdegrees. The process is self-feeding. Alumni cancontribute in terms of time, talents, and resources tosustain and increase the standing of SMU.

Philanthropy provides the building blocks for ourfuture and is pivotal in keeping SMU on the cuttingedge of international tertiary education. Every gifthelps SMU to do something that might not otherwisebe possible, from supporting student scholarships

and awards, to innovation in our educationalprogrammes and pathbreaking faculty research.

In 2015, two alumni Jeff Tung Chi Fung (BBM, 2013)and Benjamin Twoon Wai Mun (BBM, 2013) came together to set up a $1 million P.A.K. EntrepreneurshipFund at LKCSB. This is the largest gift to SMU by ouralumni to date. With 1-to-1 government matching, the total sum of $2 million will support a LKCSB

Students' Entrepreneurship Club, called EaglesIncubator, and an annual business plan competition.

Senior Class Gift

The Senior Class Gift was initiated by the pioneeringclass who decided that the best legacy they could leave

behind was to encourage the graduating class to giveback. Graduating students contribute towards the giftupon the completion of their education. The gift goes towards the Graduating Class Scholarship to help lessfortunate undergraduates.

The Class of 2015’s Senior Class Gift amounted to$29,348.

SMU Alumni Graduation Lion 2015

49ALUMNI EVENTS: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

Alumni Events: Te Year in Review


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JANUARY 2015

JANUARY 24 - Kickstart your Career 2015 JANUARY 27 - SYE’15: Senior Kickoff

JANUARY 28 - SMUAA: Theatre vs Politics? Art and Life, Singapore JANUARY 30 - Alumni Homecoming @ Patron’s Day 2015

FEBRUARY 2015

FEBRUARY 25 - MWM Alumni-Students CNY Lohei Dinner FEBRUARY 26 - SMUAA: An Evening of High Quality Men’s Shoes

MARCH 2015

MARCH 4 - Alumni Mentoring, Session 1, 2015 (Alumni)MARCH 4 - Alumni Mentoring, Session 1, 2015 (Students)MARCH 4 - Alumni Mentoring Session 2, 2014 - Closing Cermony MARCH 6 - SYE’15: New Graduates Guide to Personal FinanceMARCH 12 - SYE’15: Senior Dis’Orientation 2015MARCH 13 - MM Welcome TeaMARCH 14 - MPA Alumni Group Community Service EventMARCH 19 - SMU Interaction Night 2015 - SMUSA and SMUAAMARCH 28 - SMU Inaugural LLM Alumni Group Event

APRIL 2015

APRIL 6 - SYE'15: New Graduate’s Guide to Personal FinanceAPRIL 8 - SYE’15: Senior Supper Run 2015APRIL 10 - SMU-Fudan Global Forum in ShanghaiAPRIL 11 - MCM Graduation LunchAPRIL 13 - SMUAA Pilates ClassAPRIL 15 - Real Estate and Alternative Investment Alumni Group –

An Evening with Teo Yung FungAPRIL 17 - Alumni Socials: Summer BashAPRIL 21 - SMU PG Alumni Networking EventAPRIL 23 - SMU Alumni Spring Social & Wine AppreciationAPRIL 28 - SMU Industry Night 2015 - Public Sector, NGO & Social ServicesAPRIL 30 - JD Alumni Group Students-Alumni Event

MAY 2015

MAY 4 - MAF & GMF Graduation Dinner MAY 5 - Cambridge Judge Business School Alumni Event

MAY 5 - EMBA OrientationMAY 5 - EMBA 5 th Year Celebration Dinner MAY 8 - MPA OrientationMAY 8 - MPA Welcome Dinner MAY 9 - EMBA Graduation Dinner MAY 14 - SMU Industry Night 2015 - Banking & FinanceMAY 14 - PhD(GM) Welcome LunchMAY 15 - MTSC Graduation Dinner MAY 21 - SMUAA: CDC In Search of Purpose Talk

MAY 29 - SMU Interaction Night 2015 – SSU

JUNE 2015

JUNE 5 - Alumni Library Open House 2015 JUNE 11 - MITB Alumni Group Gathering JUNE 17 - SMU Interaction Night 2015 - FTB Facilitators JUNE 22 - MCM-PAA The Urban Gather ing & Launch of MCM

Alumni Group JUNE 25 - SMU Interaction Night 2015 - Mentors & Mentees

JULY 2015

JULY 3 - LLM Graduation Dinner JULY 3 & 4 - SYE'15: Cap & Gown Day 2015 JULY 11 - MAF Welcome Dinner JULY 11 - SYE'15: Photo Day 2015 JULY 14 - MPA Graduation Dinner JULY 14 - MI Graduation Dinner

JULY 15 - SMU-SAF Warriors Programme Graduation Lunch JULY 16 - SYE'15: Class of 2015 Graduates' Night JULY 16 - MSFE Graduation Dinner JULY 18 - SMU Hong Kong Alumni Chapter Boat Trip JULY 18 - MQF Graduation Dinner JULY 20 - MWM Orientation JULY 20 - MWM Welcome Dinner JULY 24 - SOA Anniversary Event & "True and Fair" Book Launch JULY 24 - SMU International Summer Programme Students Dinner

JULY 27 - SMU Inaugural EMBA Alumni Gathering

50 ALUMNI EVENTS: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

AUGUST 2015 OCTOBER 27 SMU I i Ni h SMUX



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AUGUST 2015

AUGUST 6 - SMUAA Basic Mandarin Language Course Level 2AUGUST 14 - GMF / MQF Welcome Dinner

AUGUST 17 - SMUAA Spanish Language CourseAUGUST 20 - Alumni Professional Development Workshop with

EmergeneticsAUGUST 24 - LLM OrientationAUGUST 24 - MITB OrientationAUGUST 26 - SMUAA Conversations@SMU: F&B Industry AUGUST 27 - SMU Industry Night 2015 – Information Technology AUGUST 28 - MPA Students Welcome Dinner

SEPTEMBER 2015

SEPTEMBER 4 - SMU Interaction Night 2015 - Class of 2006SEPTEMBER 5 - LLM Alumni Group Gathering & Students

Welcome SessionSEPTEMBER 8 - SMU Interaction Night 2015 - ACFSEPTEMBER 8 - SYE'16: New Graduate's Guide to Personal FinanceSEPTEMBER 17 - ASOC Day - SUMMEREDSEPTEMBER 22 - SMUAA Conversations@SMU: F&B Industry SEPTEMBER 24 - Global Day of Action 2015SEPTEMBER 30 - SMU Fireside Chat: Singapore’s socio-political

Landscape in the next 50 years

OCTOBER 2015

OCTOBER 2 - SMU Meeting with alumni in ManilaOCTOBER 8 - MPA Alumni Group Wine AppreciationOCTOBER 8 - IE-SMU MBA Welcome DinnerOCTOBER 9 - MWM Anniversary Dinner & Launch of MWM

Alumni GroupOCTOBER 10 - Class of 2010 - 5 th Year ReunionOCTOBER 10 - Class of 2005 - 10 th Year ReunionOCTOBER 14 - Alumni Mentoring , Session 2, 2015OCTOBER 15 - Bondue Alumni Networking Night 2015OCTOBER 19 - SMUAA Spanish Language Course Level 2OCTOBER 22 - SIS Day 2015OCTOBER 22 - Oikos Connections 2015OCTOBER 23 - The Bar Day 2015

OCTOBER 23 - SMU Alumni Recognition Ceremony 2015

OCTOBER 27 - SMU Interaction Night - SMUXOCTOBER 28 - Alumni Professional Development Talk with LinkedInOCTOBER 29 - SMUAA AG-Get-Together Meeting

NOVEMBER 2015

NOVEMBER 5 - MAF/GMF Alumni Group Chill Out SessionNOVEMBER 5 - New Graduate's Guide to Personal FinanceNOVEMBER 6 - MCM Alumni Group GatheringNOVEMBER 9 - Launch of Flare Alumni GroupNOVEMBER 13 - SMU International Students Farewell Dinner NOVEMBER 16 - Inaugural Alumni Gathering for Travel & Hospitality NOVEMBER 19 - SMU Industry Night 2015 - Accounting, Audit, Tax &

ConsultingNOVEMBER 23 - Real Estate and Alternative Investment Alumni Group

- An Evening with Chris MarriotNOVEMBER 26 - SMU Alumni Entrepreneurs GatheringNOVEMBER 26 - MM Graduation Dinner NOVEMBER 28 - MBA Alumni Group HomecomingNOVEMBER 30 - MAF (Part-time) Graduation Dinner

DECEMBER 2015DECEMBER 4 - SMUAA AGM 2015DECEMBER 5 - SMU Back to School Analytics WorkshopDECEMBER 10 - MBA Graduation LunchDECEMBER 11 - SMU Business Families Alumni Group EventDECEMBER 17 - SMU Alumni Mutual Funds Interest Group Gathering

JANUARY 2016

JANUARY 8 - MWM Class of 2013 Reunion & Student-Alumni Gathering JANUARY 8 - Welcome Dinner for MWM Students JANUARY 8 - Welcome Dinner for MM Students JANUARY 14 - Launch of the EMBA Alumni Group JANUARY 15 - ASOC AlumNight 2016 JANUARY 22 - MWM Alumni Group’s Lunar New Year Lohei Dinner JANUARY 28 - Launch of SMUpreneurs JANUARY 29 - MAF Alumni Group’s Career Networking Event

51

FEBRUARY 2016


ALUMNI EVENTS: THE YEAR IN REVIEW


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FEBRUARY 2016

FEBRUARY 5 - Alumni Homecoming @ Patrons Day 2016FEBRUARY 11 - SMU Interaction Night 2016 – Past and Present

Students and Alumni LeadersFEBRUARY 12 - SIS Alumni CNY Networking Night 2016FEBRUARY 13 - Alumni Socials: Ice Cream SocialFEBRUARY 16 - Alumni Mentoring Programme: Discover the Power

of MentoringFEBRUARY 18 - SMUpreneurs Alumni Group’s Lunch event in

collaboration with SPH Plug and Play FEBRUARY 15 - MBA Alumni Group Entrepreneurs Event in

collaboration with DBS

FEBRUARY 26 - SINO Alumni Group CNY Celebration

MARCH 2016

MARCH 3 - Alumni Mentoring, Session 1, 2016 – Opening Ceremony MARCH 4 - Ofcial Opening of TONIC-XMARCH 10 - SYE’16: Can You Afford It – Basic Financial Planning Talk

for New GraduatesMARCH 12 - LLM Alumni Group Student-Alumni EventMARCH 13 - MPA Alumni Group Community Service EventMARCH 14 - MCM Alumni Group Launch of the COMMotion

speaker seriesMARCH 17 - Alumni Professional Development Workshop on

Innovation and EntrepreneurshipMARCH 18 - MAF Alumni Group Industry Talk MARCH 24 - SYE'16: Bondue Graduates' Night 2016MARCH 28 - MWM Alumni Group Student-Alumni EventMARCH 30 - SOSS Class of 2015 Alumni GatheringMARCH 31 - SYE'16: ASOC Seniors' Night 2016

52 OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS


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OFFICE OFalumni relations

+65 6828 0797 fb.com/sgSMU.alumni

Singapore Management University

Level 6, Administration Building

81 Victoria Street, Singapore 188065

alumni.smu.edu.sg

+65 6828 0799 smu.sg/alumni-linkedin

[email protected] @sgSMUalumni


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SMU OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

Level 6, SMU Administration Building

81 Victoria Street, Singapore 188065

Tel: +65 6828 0797 | Fax: +65 6828 0799

E-mail: [email protected]: fb.com/sgSMU.alumni | LinkedIn: smu.sg/alumni-linkedin

office of alumni relations (smu) annual report

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