As a nation celebrates 50 years of successful evolution from third world to first, Singapore is in transition once again. What are the critical success factors for Singapore in the next 50 years? How is the socio-political space evolving? How does this impact Singapore’s economy, policies, and you? Is there a new normal? And if so, what does it look like?
With "Society in Transition - A New Normal?" as a forum topic and with questions that can open up and lead to more in-depth conversations, it is no wonder that alumni who attended the SMU Fireside Chat on 30 September wanted more when the dialogue ended.
Held at the SMU University Lounge, the event was opened by SMUAA Vice President, Ford Lai (BBM, Class of 2008) and handed over to the moderator, Asia Pacific CEO of Emergenetics International, Terence Quek (MCM, Class of 2013).
Focusing on the socio-political landscape of Singapore in the next 50 years, the two panel speakers for the night were:Viswa Sadasivan, CEO of Strategic Moves and founder and Editor-in-Chief of IQ [Inconvenient Questions], and Professor David Chan, Lee Kuan Yew Fellow, Professor of Psychology and Director of the Behavioural Sciences Institute at Singapore Management University (SMU).
Both Viswa and Professor Chan are very well-versed in the political landscape and extremely knowledgable with the economic issues in SIngapore. Questions were raised and frank answers were given as the speakers dialogued with over 70 alumni in attendance."I think it is a very candid session by both speakers and the ground is very responsive. I think the others raised very good questions as well. General sentiments about the political scene in Singapore and the outcome of the elections differ for both speakers. Very interesting talk and I hope that the Alumni Office organises more of such events moving forward." Goh Jia Yong (MBA, Class of 2014)
Throughout the session, there were laughter and some times, nods of approval when the alumni concurred with what the speakers said. Issues that were brought up include corporate governance, importance of a civil society that includes compassion in addition to politics, creating an inclusive society, perception vs reality of today's social-political landscape, popular vs populist theory, OB markers and the effect of the intelligentsia.
"The event has been really interesting and I thought it was really good. The speakers obviously know their content very well and it was very interesting because they brought out different perspectives from what I hear in the news. It was very interesting to hear the diverse views because the two speakers obviously don't see eye to eye on certain things. Even the questions that came from the audience show diverse standpoints." said Cheryl Er (BAcc, Class of 2014). As a member of SMUAA Exco (Membership), Cheryl continued, "It is great for SMU alumni to connect with each other intellectually in terms of politics or social-economics and we hope to organise more of such events in the future."
For more photos, go to the event album on our Facebook page.
About SMU Fireside Chat
The SMU Fireside Chat is a series of talks and dialogues organised by the SMU Alumni Association with the support of the SMU Office of Alumni Relations to encourage intellectual debate and discourse amongst alumni on a variety of topics.