Over 360 Class of 2017 graduates, alumni leaders, faculty and staff attended the inaugural SMU Alumni Welcome Night 2017. Held on 14th July at Suntec Convention Centre’s Nicoll Room 1 and 2, the event marked the culmination of the graduates’ student journey in SMU and rounded off the four-day Commencement ceremonies which were held in the same week. The SMU Office of Alumni Relations (OAR), SMU Alumni Association (SMUAA), faculty, staff and alumni leaders were present to welcome the newly minted alumni to the SMU alumni community.
Opening the event with a Hip-Hop dance performance, 20 dancers from the SMU Eluminix Alumni Group performed with much energy and gusto. Eluminix is the official Alumni Group of the Hip-Hop dance club SMU Eurhythmix. Established in June 2013, Eluminix is an avenue for SMU alumni to dance and perform, even as working adults. In preparation for their dance performance and at the event itself, these alumni dancers were able to perform alongside and re-connect with some of their closest friends made during their undergraduate days.
OAR Director Associate Professor Low Aik Meng welcomed the crowd and encouraged the graduates to stay connected with OAR’s hundreds of events and initiatives. With SMUAA, 33 Alumni Groups, 11 Overseas Alumni Chapters, International Advisory Councils, there are many avenues for alumni to connect with one another. Alumni can also contribute back to their alma mater by volunteering as mentors or alumni leaders. There are also opportunities for continuing education and lifelong learning through SMU’s postgraduate programmes or courses provided by SMU Academy.
Guest-of-Honour SMU President Arnoud De Meyer reminded the Class of 2017 that they were students for four years but they are alumni for life. He reinforced the SMU CIRCLE values in his speech and encouraged the graduates, “Your Values will continue to keep you rooted and give you an identity. So in your workplace and in life, do continue to uphold the values of Commitment, Integrity, Responsibility, Collegiality, Leadership and Excellence.”
Ending off his congratulatory speech with a toast, SMU President said, “You have journeyed well in your studies, and are now graduates. Tonight the SMU community is here to welcome you as you join the alumni body. We are sure that you will continue to do us proud in the next phase of your journey as SMU alumni.”
Following the speech, Class Alumni Representatives from the six Schools received the Graduation Class Plaque from SMU President. Class Alumni Representatives are graduating students from SMU’s undergraduate programmes appointed by OAR in collaboration with the school deans and / or administrative staff. The role of Class Representatives is to create greater awareness of alumni engagement opportunities within their respective school alumni communities. The Class Plaque is presented to the Class Alumni Representatives as a tradition that honours each graduating class and celebrates their outstanding contributions to the SMU community. Thereafter, the class plaque would be installed at the SMU Campus Green together with the other class plaques of the previous batches.
In conjunction with the Alumni Welcome Night, SMU President, OAR Director together with Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Integrated Information Technology Services Mr Lau Kai Cheong officiated the launch of the SMU Alumni Mobile App. With the Mobile App, alumni can access their own personalised virtual Alumni Card - fostering the alumni identity of SMU graduates. Alumni can present the virtual card to enjoy exclusive discounts under the SMU Alumni Privilege Programme and for easy registration at events onsite. Other features in the app include updating of alumni profiles, viewing upcoming events, accessing the network of alumni businesses and alumni directory and, searching for career opportunities on the alumni job board. All alumni can download the app - SMU Mobile at the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Besides the host of alumni privileges, events and services offered by OAR, SMUAA also took the platform and promoted their membership benefits. President of SMUAA’s 8th Executive Committee Ms Deborah Wee (BSocSc 2009) made a call to the graduates to join the Association and to continue to forge bonds with their peers and network with alumni through the many events organised.
A sumptuous buffet dinner was served as the crowd continued to mingle and network with one another. The Class of 2017 alumni commemorated the event with group pictures taken at the photo booth and many of them seized the opportunity to have a picture taken with SMU President. To entertain the crowd with live music, SMU SoundFoundry Alumni Group’s band “Shikaye and the Bunny” performed with current hit songs and took in song requests from the audience.
A lucky draw concluded the event with 10 lucky winners who went home with prizes sponsored by Fraser Hospitality, Alumni Bistro B3 and OAR. The top two prizes were complimentary stays at Fraser Residence, Kuala Lumpur and Capri by Fraser Changi City, Singapore.
For more photos, view the Alumni Facebook album.