New SMU students need overseas stint to graduate

Recently, the Singapore Management University (SMU) joined the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), in making overseas experience a graduation requirement. Students joining the SMU from August will need overseas experience to graduate, announced the university. This could include exchange programmes, internships, cultural exchanges and immersions, among other kinds of programmes.

Professor Lim Kian Guan, SMU’s Vice-Provost for undergraduate matters said that “global traction and understanding underpins career success in today’s globally connected environment”. He also shared how a global exposure is invaluable for international networking and global vision.

Singapore Human Resources Institute president Erman Tan, agreed with Professor Lim’s views and shared how overseas experience could help students learn to be independent, proactive in problem-solving, and more adept at communicating with different people – all traits that employers will value, especially in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing economy.

To ensure that none of its students miss out on overseas opportunities due to financial constraints, SMU said that it has a range of university-funded and donor-supported assistance schemes that needy students can tap.

In my opinion, this is a very good initiative by SMU. The world is getting smaller with globalisation and the advent of technology. Our students must have global exposure and develop a cosmopolitan mindset to be successful in the future.

If you want to read more about SMU’s new initiative, click the following link:

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/new-smu- students-need-overseas-stint-to-graduate

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