‘Daringly Different: The Making of the Singapore Management University’ by Dr Kevin YL Tan
Singapore’s educational landscape was transformed with the introduction of a third university in 2000. ‘Daringly Different: The Making of the Singapore Management University’ was published that details the events leading to the University’s formation and charts the first 15 years of its growth.
Written by Dr Kevin YL Tan, a prominent Singapore author and law academic as Writer-in-Residence, the book also commemorates the Singapore Management University (SMU)’s 15th anniversary in 2015.
In writing the book, Dr Tan made use of the series of interviews commissioned by the Li Ka Shing Library for its Oral History project, where a collection of interviews with its pioneers as well as those who helped build the university over the years in recent times was created. Interviews with past and current members of faculty, staff, students and others involved in making and growing SMU also feature as the basis of the book.
‘Daringly Different: The Making of the Singapore Management University’ looks at the early history of university education in Singapore and covers the period between 1905 and 1991 in its first chapter. The author then discusses the changing landscape of tertiary education and the emergence of SMU during the late 1990s. Extracts from interviews with the pioneers and architects of SMU are included to illustrate the original envisioning, planning, detailed discussions with other universities and educational institutions during this period.
The book includes interesting viewpoints and stories provided by its current and former Presidents, Provosts, Deans of Schools, faculty, senior staff, students and others who have contributed not only to the establishment and creation of SMU and its various Schools and programs, but also helped it grow and become what it is today, with its global reputation, well-known for its innovative pedagogy, excellent research track and its close collaboration with the business world.
SMU today boasts of more than 14,000 alumni. It has six Schools and more than 8,000 students. It has a growing post-graduate student population. SMU students are well known for being articulate, pro-active and community-minded with a global outlook.
So, this book is a timely newcomer to repertoire of new books in the area of higher education in Singapore. It will be sought after by anyone who is interested in learning about the evolution of SMU as well as secrets of its success as a new kid on the block amongst new universities globally.
‘Daringly Different: The Making of the Singapore Management University’ was launched at SMU’s Patron’s Day event on the 30th January 2015. Copies of the book were presented to Dr Tony Tan, President of Singapore, Mr Ho Kwon Ping, Chairman, Board of Trustees, SMU and other guests attending the 2015 Patron’s day dinner.
The book is available for purchase at the SMU Shop. It is available for loan from SMU Libraries by members of the SMU community.