SMU Interaction Night with Mentors and Mentees

Over 90 student-mentees and alumni-mentors, staff and faculty attended the SMU Interaction Night on 25 June. Current and past Mentors and Mentees from the SMU Alumni Mentoring Programme interacted and networked with each other at the University Lounge.

Opening the evening's programme was Director of Alumni Relations, and former Dean of Students, Assoc Prof Low Aik Meng.  He was overjoyed at the response from our mentors and mentees, and elaborated on his rationale behind the Interaction Nights.  Relating the last event a week ago with the FTB facilitators, he remarked that this event is fast becoming a platform to build enduring student-alumni connections.  

Next, the SMU Alumni Association (SMUAA) exco member, Mr Jose Paolo Boquiren (BSc Econs, 2007), took the floor and extended his warm welcome to all.  A former SMU Ambassador and founding member of SMU Symphonia, Paolo shared the new programmes and activities of SMUAA, and reiterated the vision of their alumni club-house - a place to call their own.  He made a call for all alumni to join the association as members to hep further the alumni cause.
 

The impassionate speeches were soon followed by two personal sharings - from a mentor and a mentee.  Ms Elfarina Zaid(BBM, 2004) took to the stage and related her journey as a mentor.  While helping a junior grow professionally was rewarding, the unexpected benefit was that she also learnt a lot from her mentee, in more ways than one.  This powerful insight lives on in her, and opens her mind as a professional executive coach.  

Mr Benjamin Loh (BAcc, 2012) wrapped up the programme by giving a glimpse into his journey as a mentee while in SMU.  He returned no less than 4 times as a mentor, and is one of the most sough-after individuals.  "The SMU Interaction Night was a well-curated one. Connecting with former professors, rekindling connections with your university mates and also meeting bright-eyed and earnest freshmen .... it was an event worth attending and remembering!" said Benjamin.

With dinner served, an ice-breaker helped to get conversations going between students and alumni.  Staff and faculty also stayed on to re-connect with their 'old students' and current ones.

About the SMU Interaction Nights

The fundamental belief, that bonds forged during student experience in SMU are enduring, form the basis of SMU Interaction Nights.  A new initiative designed to facilitate meaningful interactions, these monthly community events will feature different themes and aim to connect two important SMU constituents – students and alumni - with faculty and staff by bringing them together through a platform of collegial sharing and camaraderie.  

Keen to be part of the SMU Interaction Nights?  
Please contact Ivan Low at ivanlow@smu.edu.sg or call us on 6828 0797.