Public universities in Singapore, including SMU, have embraced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to enhance teaching methodologies, foster innovation and address the diverse learning needs of students. The integration of AI into coursework at SMU has yielded tangible benefits, said SMU Professor of Communication Management (Practice) Mark Chong. He added that his students have become “far more efficient and productive in creating preliminary ideas for their video script”.
Prices are increasing at a slower pace in Singapore, with both headline and core figures coming down in March. Headline inflation eased to 2.7%, its lowest in two and a half years. Core inflation, which excludes accommodation and private transport, is down to 3.1%. In an interview, SMU Assistant Professor of Finance (Education) Aurobindo Ghosh discussed the Consumer Price Index and the effects of Singapore’s easing core inflation, as well as the influence of geopolitics on inflation.
Commenting on Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's use of social media, SMU Senior Lecturer of Communication Management Tracy Loh said while traditional media remained an important platform for politicians, social media was necessary to “complement” their communications strategy. She noted that Mr Wong’s digital persona was very indicative of the type of leader he appeared to aspire to be – more approachable and relatable.
Commenting on Boeing's safety standards, SMU Assistant Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship (Education) Terence Fan said that the crisis over Boeing’s narrow body aircraft comes only a few years after the one it faced in 2019. He explained how this sequence of events could be symptomatic of “a deeper malaise”. Asst Prof Fan said that while Boeing had traditionally featured engineers in its leadership, this approach had changed recently. He added that supply chain issues have also plagued Boeing ever since the start of the pandemic in 2020.
SMU participated in the Sustainability Week Asia 2024 Forum in Bangkok organised by Economist Impact, where it shared insights on sustainability issues. Nikki Kemp, Director of the Singapore Green Finance Centre (SGFC), SMU Associate Professor of Finance and Co-Director at SGFC Hao Liang, and SMU Professor of Urban Climate and Pillar Lead (Urban Infrastructure) Winston Chow, were speakers at discussion panel sessions.
A new work-study elective, which matches SMU students with family offices for internships, has attracted considerable attention, reflecting the increasing appeal of wealth management as a career path for recent graduates. A surge in single family offices in Singapore has caught the attention of not just industry insiders, but also students like Justin Lew, who are interested in a career in wealth management. Singapore has solidified its position as a wealth management hub and demand for family offices is on the rise.
Commenting on the dwindling number of street-hail trips, SMU Assistant Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship (Education) Terence Fan said having taxis roam busy locations is a form of “soft power” that puts Singapore on a par with other cosmopolitan cities such as London and New York City.
In an interview, SMU Assistant Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship (Education) Terence Fan shares his insights on the latest Certificate of Entitlement (COE) bidding exercise, where COE prices have risen across the board, with the exception of commercial vehicles.
Commenting on the Chinese reducing their spending on luxury goods, SMU Lee Kong Chian Professor of Marketing Kapil Tuli pointed out that Chinese consumers form a very big part of the luxury market in Singapore, so their lower spending here will cause some turbulence. Looking at the Singapore market, Prof Tuli says those with massive flagships offering an immersive, luxury experience are “more protected”, as consumers are not going there just to pick up a bag.
Staging the 2026 Commonwealth Games may not make sense for Singapore, experts said, citing reasons such as high costs and a tight timeline. SMU Associate Professor of Marketing (Education) Seshan Ramaswami noted the short runway. He pointed out that Birmingham had 4½ years of preparation for the 2022 edition, but also highlighted that Singapore has the infrastructure and logistical know-how to pull off such an event.
