Mr and Mrs Shimomura and their 8-member delegation received a warm welcome by Professor Arnoud De Meyer SMU President along with Vice President for Business Development and External Relations, Annie Koh, who is also the Associate Professor at the University with the other members of SMU management.
Purpose of Visit
The Japanese delegates visited SMU on recommendation of Genting Singapore – that is in discussions with CPS (Centre for Professional Studies) for a possible cross-cultural collaboration entailing students training workshops and related on-site learning programs for Japanese and Singaporean students together, who are on an exchange program at SMU. Minister Shimomura’s visit gave him a better understanding of the university and was therefore timely.
A Learning Experience beyond Classrooms
Professor De Meyer stated that every year thirty Japanese students come to SMU with respect to their exchange program as equal number of SMU students visit Japan the same time. He also added that their University provides a holistic education to its students which offers a learning experience beyond classrooms and includes an overseas exposure. To this, Minister Shimomura happily noted that both Japan and SMU expect the total number of students going abroad will increase in near future.
Notably, tuition in Singapore form an integral part of the highly developed and evolved education system of the country, and private tuition in Singapore play vital role in helping the industry to boost their standards and elevate to the best in the world.
Admission Process
During his discussion with Professor Meyer, Minister Shimomura showed his interest to learn about the admission procedure of SMU.
Professor Meyer explained that each year the University shortlists about six thousand applicants who undergo a rigorous interview process; the goal is to check if the prospective students, beyond their academic abilities, would be able to adjust well into the interactive pedagogy being adopted at SMU.
Mr and Mrs Shimomura also interacted with the students who had been on an exchange program to Japan and also with the Japanese faculty and SMU staff.
An Opportunity to Showcase Unique Style of Education
Ken Yamada, Assistant Professor of Economics, who has been associated with SMU since 2008 said that as an SMU faculty from Japan, he was happy to note that Minister Shimomura’s visit to SMU was a great opportunity for them to showcase the unique style of imparting education that is practiced by the University.
A style that is focused on holistic development of a student along with interactive pedagogy and global exposure, Ken hopes that Minister Shimomura’s visit will set a platform for more exchanges, both academic and cultural.
About Singapore Management University
A top notch educational institute in Asia, the Singapore Management University is internationally recognized for its high end research and unique teaching practices.
With a mission to generate leading edge research and produce creative entrepreneurial leaders, SMU is renowned for its interactive and technologically enabled pedagogy.