The Singapore Management University’s (SMU) Global Summer Programme (GSP) 2019 returned for its fifth edition from 1 to 26 July, enabling participants to gain new insights and perspectives on trends and developments in Asia from SMU faculty; engage industry leaders through dialogue and networking sessions; learn from and get to know students from some 30 countries; and experience the culturally rich and diverse fabric of cosmopolitan Singapore.
Organised by SMU’s International Office, GSP 2019 welcomed some 200 participants of 30 nationalities from 70 universities across the globe. The four-week programme, included 10 curated SMU courses taught by SMU faculty, course field trips, dialogues with government officials and business leaders, networking events and visits to multinational companies and Singaporean companies with interest and operations in Asia.
A highlight of this year’s GSP was a fireside chat on “Asian Insights” and networking reception with the ambassadors of Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines to Singapore. Organised in collaboration with SMU’s Wee Kim Wee Centre, this lively dialogue gave GSP participants a rare opportunity to learn economic strategies and cultural developments of these Asian countries, and to pose questions to the ambassadors.
To promote connection and engagement across SMU community, including our alumni, SMU International Office and the Office of Postgraduate Programmes organised an evening dialogue on “Studying and Working in Singapore”. The panelists shared with GSP participants about how they managed demands of a full-time job with the rigours of a postgraduate programme, and their take on the culture, expectations and norms of working in Singapore. The candid perspectives offered at this session gave GSP participants practical takeaways into what they might expect from working in Singapore and studying at SMU.
The strong linkages and collaborations forged by SMU with the industry and community made it possible for GSP participants to hear firsthand from the management of renowned corporates such as Google, Decathlon, Salesforce, Ascott, DHL, Singapore Airlines, and Fujitsu. These company visits provided GSP participants with the opportunity to interact directly with corporate decision-makers to better understand the business models and blueprint for operating successfully within the Asian region.
Course field trips led by SMU faculty further enhanced the experiential learning element for participants. For instance, participants who had signed up for the course “Innovations for Asia’s Smart Cities” visited the Marina Barrage, with SMU Professor Thomas Menkhoff, where they learnt about Singapore’s water story and sustainability. Participants who had enrolled in “Social Entrepreneurship in Asia” and “Entrepreneurship in Asia” participated in faculty-led (SMU Assistant Professors Kenneth Goh and David Gomulya) visits to two social enterprises ComCrop (sustainable urban rooftop farming) and Bettr Barista (a coffee academy and roaster offering education and certification). Field trips of other GSP courses included visits to Breadtalk Group Limited (multinational food and beverage corporation), Hewlett Packard Enterprise Singapore Innovation Centre, and the Singapore Supreme Court.
In addition, social cultural activities included a tour of Gardens by the Bay (led by tourism expert Kevin Cheong, SMU alumnus, DBA) and a walking tour of the Bugis and Bras Basah areas, where participants navigated the rich cultural, artistic and religious aspects of SMU’s immediate neighborhood and experienced part of SMU’s “University in a City” character.
Comments from GSP 2019 Participants:
“I enjoyed so much as a GSP participant as I had the chance to improve myself interacting with people coming from different backgrounds, different schools, that was something so academically challenging. I received the chance to see what kind of person I am in terms of the worldwide views and diverse perspectives.” Orcun Dogmazer, Koç University
“One of the most valuable things about GSP is that it actually helps prepare students for the future. It's very important for students from various background to learn about Asian insights and how to operate in this more global and diverse setting.” Elisha Mendoza, De La Salle University
“This is my first time in Singapore and the GSP experience was great. I'm even considering working or living here because the experience was just marvelous. The GSP activities were all interesting and well thought through.” Chung Tsai Hsi, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
“I’m now infallibly interested in creating a cool and amazing social enterprise that is both sustainable in its own facilities and operations as well as creating real change in society.” Benjamin Jacob May, University of Pennsylvania
[Featured Photo: Global Summer Programme 2019 participants at the Marina Bay area on orientation day.]
