Starting from the coming academic year in August, Singapore Management University (SMU) will require its newly enrolled students to attain overseas exposure as a prerequisite to graduation.
This is in view of the “strong competitive edge” that undergraduates can stand to gain from global exposure, the university said in a press statement on Mar 22.
“Global traction and understanding underpins success in careers in today’s globally connected environment,” explained SMU’s vice provost (Undergraduate Matters) Professor Lim Kian Guan.
Besides expanding its repertoire of existing global opportunities, SMU will also enhance its support for students on the compulsory overseas experience, to make that no student misses out due to financial difficulties.
Currently, SMU partners with 255 universities in more than 170 cities for semester exchanges and short-term study programmes, according to a report by Todayonline.
With Singapore will taking over as chair of the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) later this year, “we are looking to increase the number of such study missions, particularly to Asia,” said Prof Lim.
SMU also intends to offer SMU-X Overseas modules in Laos, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines within the next two years. These modules allow students to work with SMU’s partner companies overseas, and gain experience “managing regional and global projects in the future workplace,” SMU added.
This is in addition to cultural exchanges and immersion programme such as overseas expedition trips by its student clubs.