Over 150 SMU alumni, students, staff, industry partners and professionals attended the SMU Industry Night for the Travel and Hospitality Industry on 23rd August 2017. Supported by SMU’s Office of Alumni Relations (OAR), the event was organised by the Executive Committee of the SMU Travel and Hospitality (SMUTH) Alumni Group and marked the first anniversary of the Group’s establishment in 2016.
The SMU Alumni Groups are niche communities for alumni formed under the SMU Alumni Association (SMUAA) and supported by OAR. The groups are formed under school-based, interest-based, programme-based (or postgraduate) and affinity alumni groups. These individual alumni groups receive funding from SMUAA to conduct at least two engagement events a year. Alumni are encouraged to join Alumni Groups as they offer a plethora of networking opportunities with fellow alumni and corporate partners, keeps one updated with industry intelligence and the University’s latest developments.
Held at Smoke and Mirrors in the National Gallery Singapore, alumni networked with corporate partners from Expedia, Banyan Tree, Changi Airport Group, Far East Hospitality, Frasers Hospitality, Google Travel, Hilton, Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium, JAL, Marriott International, Trip Advisor etc.
Emcee for the evening and SMUTH Alumni Group’s Vice President Raymond Theodore Raphael Tan (BBM, 2009) welcomed the crowd and introduced the Executive Committee. The SMUTH Alumni Group aims to attract and retain talent in Travel by creating a platform to inspire students and Alumni to explore and build careers in Travel and Hospitality.
President of SMUTH Alumni Group Ho Shyn Yee (BBM 2004) reiterated the Group’s mission, “Our main objective still remains unchanged and that is to provide opportunities for alumni and the industry to connect and to drive thought leadership in travel and hospitality, in the region.” She also highlighted the activities that took place in the past year which included the launch of the SMUTH Leadership Series, travel conferences, hotel tours, and group gatherings.
OAR Director Associate Professor Low Aik Meng was also present to express his appreciation to the Executive Committee for their hard work and commitment in bringing like-minded alumni together. The networking continued throughout the night after a lucky draw was held where lucky winners went home with complimentary stays sponsored by Frasers Hospitality.
For more photos from the event, view the Alumni Facebook album. Visit the Group's webpage to find out more about the SMUTH Alumni Group.