Commenting on Chinese students' shift to manufacturing and energy roles, SMU Associate Professor of Finance Fu Fangjian said that China's industrial sectors, especially semiconductors, electric vehicles, batteries, and renewable energy, have become "highly technology-intensive and now demand top engineering talent. Assoc Prof Fu said many young graduates now see them as "opportunities to work on cutting-edge technologies rather than traditional factory work," adding that these jobs can offer "very competitive" salaries.
SMU Associate Professor of Marketing Thomas Allard said the disappearance of the five-cent coin would have little impact on most consumers, noting Singapore’s continued shift towards cashless payments. He also anticipates that the financial impact of its disappearance will average out over time as costs are rounded both up and down. Additionally, Assoc Prof Allard said that cash is unlikely to become obsolete soon, as elderly customers, small hawker businesses, and some tourists still rely on it.
SMU Assistant Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship (Education) Terence Fan noted that Asia-Pacific airlines with significant services to Europe, such as Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific, could benefit in the short term from the recent flight disruptions in the Middle East. These disruptions, caused by a four-day closure of major Middle Eastern airports – including Dubai International – due to conflict involving Iran, the US, and Israel, have led to increased airfares between Asia and Europe.
Commenting on flight disruptions in the Middle East, SMU Assistant Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship (Education) Terence Fan said that with Middle East air hubs closed, Asia-Pacific carriers with many flights to Europe, like Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific, could benefit in the short run because they have more Asia-to-Europe flights than competing carriers such as Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways.
Commenting on authenticity in food, SMU Associate Professor of Marketing (Education) Seshan Ramaswami said that to understand its enduring appeal, one needs to look at food as a cultural product. Assoc Prof Ramaswami added that in partaking of that food, the consumer is experiencing a slice of history, which is always valuable for cultural products such as clothes, food, and the arts. He noted that claims of authenticity will always be resonant in this category, not just as a temporary fad.
Commenting on the English Premier League (EPL) launch of its direct-to-consumer streaming, SMU Associate Professor of Marketing (Education) Seshan Ramaswami said that the streaming service announced by EPL is a continuation of the phenomenon of entertainment brands moving to direct-to-consumer services. Assoc Prof Ramaswami added that having its own platform will enable the EPL to understand its customers directly and collect plenty of data at the individual fan level.
A hospital management case co-authored by SMU Associate Professor of Operations Management Daniel Zheng and Fuzhou University Professor Li Debiao has been included in the Harvard Business School case library. It is the first Harvard case on research organisational management involving a Chinese public hospital. The case highlights innovative reforms at Fujian Provincial Hospital and will be taught globally alongside leading international healthcare institutions.
The Editorialge featured SMU Assistant Professor of Finance (Education) Aurobindo Ghosh, whose work over the past two decades has helped strengthen Singapore’s financial literacy landscape. After moving to Singapore 23 years ago, he joined SMU, bringing along a global perspective and a deep desire to give back, focusing on the human impact of financial literacy in Singapore.
Commenting on Deliveroo’s exit from Singapore, SMU Associate Professor of Marketing (Education) Seshan Ramaswami said that the exit could lead to lower prices initially. Assoc Prof Ramaswami noted that the industry could be entering a slower growth phase following the pandemic-era surge in demand, and may even decline. He also raised the possibility of new entrants who may see an opportunity to differentiate themselves from the two remaining players.
SMU's Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme strengthened its global standing in the latest Financial Times (FT) Global MBA Rankings, with notable gains across key indicators including sustainability-focused teaching, alumni salary outcomes, value for money and career progression. The programme’s strong showing reflects SMU’s deliberate integration of ESG and sustainability across the curriculum, aligned with evolving business expectations and the growing demand for responsible leadership.
