Alumni Stories

A game changer in the university education sector in Singapore, SMU’s distinctive education has produced many graduates across generations, many of whom belonging to the same families. We take a look at how SMU has made a transformative impact on a father-son duo who both graduated from the university.

It is easy to feel overwhelmed just listening to Nadir Zafar (BBM 2004) share his many roles. The list of roles and achievements is rather impressive, perhaps made more so by the humility he exudes as he openly admits that he has not fully mastered this balancing act.

The Karim family is a family of entrepreneurs. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, one could say it was a matter of time before Chayadi Karim (BBM 2015) would become one himself. After climbing the corporate ladder for four years as a research analyst for tourism-related industries, while working on a travel-tech start-up on the side, Chayadi took the plunge and founded KINN in late 2019.

Lim Teck Yang (BAcc 2015 and BBM 2015) and Travis Ng (BBM 2016) may not have been in the same graduating class in SMU, but they bonded over their mutual passion for custom menswear. In November 2018, they opened Collaro Classic Menswear, a direct-to-consumer menswear brand that offers customised clothes to men of all shapes and sizes.

SMU holds a special place in Teo Hong Han’s (BAcc 2005, BBM 2005 and MWM 2015) heart. Not only did he graduate twice from SMU, but he also met his soulmate and life partner, Louisa Tan (BBM 2005 and BAcc 2005), at the University.

Not many can claim that they were in the Theatre Management and Producing programme at Columbia University. The programme only takes in 10 people at a time, and Serene Lim (BSocSc 2011) was one of the few in her year – and the only Singaporean at that time – to secure the golden opportunity.

Debbie Middendorp (MCM 2014) is nothing if not ambitious. She has a strong vision – to provide societal and cultural empowerment services to women, allowing them to gain financial independence. As the co-Founder of 6 Degrees Academy for Women, she helps many women to find jobs through vocational skills training programmes, job matches, and in setting up small businesses.

Harresh Krishnan (BSocSc 2017) is a big man. And within his physical frame is the very embodiment of perseverance, the perfect example of a ‘can-do’ attitude. That he was also a former national rugby player is testimony to the grit and gumption he carries both on and off the field, something he continues to do in a tech firm where he now works as a Recruiter.  

Seven years have elapsed since Heng Xiangle’s (BSc (Econ) 2013 and BBM 2013) graduation but he remains very much involved in the SMU arts scene. His passion in the arts began when he was just seven years old, when he started playing various musical instruments. It was only a matter of time before he found himself being drawn to the Chinese orchestra and its grand allure, and has since performed at numerous events.