The SMU experience in a pandemic: hear it from real students
Covid-19 has changed the way we live and learn. When the pandemic hit in 2020, institutes of higher education were forced to move classes online and adopt safety measures on campus. This entailed upheaval and uncertainty for students, especially international students. Fortunately, students in Singapore realised that they were based in one of the safest countries in the world.
Why? Singapore is widely considered a model for managing Covid-19. The country has had great success in keeping infection rates low, which created a safe environment for students to study. In addition, universities here have been quick to adapt to the new reality of blended learning. SMU, for example, has introduced a pedagogy that combines online educational materials and opportunities for interaction online with traditional place-based classroom methods — even before Covid-19.
With further easing of community measures in place — such as the lifting of restrictions on group sizes and event capacity limits, the city-state is gradually returning to its culturally-rich, vibrant self.
We chat with SMU School of Accountancy (SOA) postgraduate students Chen Pingzhen and Xia Jiawen to get the low-down on why being a student in Singapore can be a positive experience during a pandemic, and beyond:
Strong safety infrastructure
It’s no secret that Singapore's healthcare system is excellent — it ranked first in Asia-Pacific for healthcare readiness, according to a 2021 index. The country displayed remarkable resilience across all sectors during the outbreak, especially in the realm of higher education. Universities here showed great agility in adapting the learning experience, including the need to pivot to online platforms and blended models when required by the prevailing governmental measures at the time.
“What impressed me most was the support provided by SMU for international students,” recalls Chen Pingzhen, who graduated from the Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) programme in 2021, in the height of the pandemic.
The University had ensured that she received detailed pre-arrival notifications, a reimbursement for quarantine costs (as quarantines were required at that time — a measure that has since been lifted for all international travellers), as well as prepared her for blended learning in the first semester.
“When the pandemic first emerged in 2020, the vaccine was not yet widely available. While I considered postponing enrolment for another year, I also wanted to complete the MPA programme as soon as possible, so as to fuel my career progression.”
Opportunities abound in an economic hotspot
While global markets have taken a hard hit during the pandemic, Singapore’s status as an economic hub has remained intact. In fact, it drew $11.8 billion in fixed asset investments in 2021. This translated to multiple opportunities for internships, jobs and learning opportunities across various industries for students.
Xia Jiawen, who graduated from the Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) programme in 2021, experienced Singapore’s education and professional opportunities first-hand. The Senior Data Analyst at Singhealth Community Hospitals first moved to Singapore from China for her undergraduate studies at the age of 18. Specialising in machine learning, she has been working at Singhealth since 2019.
“I appreciate the equal opportunity employment practices adopted here, which allowed me to secure my first job and apply what I’ve learned from my degree,” shares Jiawen.
“I was also attracted to the MSA programme as I am assured that companies in Singapore recognise its value, and I am confident I can find a job related to the competencies I’ve gained.”
An inclusive melting pot for global talents
With its multicultural and international workforce, there is no doubt that Singapore is a culturally accessible, familiar and welcoming place for global talents.
The country has been purposeful in its efforts to attract top talent from around the world. This deliberate push to become a melting pot has reaped multiple benefits. First, it has injected new perspectives and skillsets into the local workforce, making it more dynamic and innovative. The open-door policy has also contributed to making Singapore a truly cosmopolitan city that can compete on the global stage.
“The government's overall policy is to attract and retain talents, which is very friendly to those who hope to pursue a long-term career in Singapore,” notes Pingzhen.
“SMU graduates are also highly employable, in part due to Singapore’s status as one of the largest financial centres in the world. The MPA degree is highly recognised by most companies; and there’s almost no language barrier — the official language is English, but my native language, Chinese, is also widely spoken here.”
As the University is located in the city centre, Pingzhen frequented surrounding eateries and sampled familiar comfort food in Chinatown. She even reveals that she starts her day, Singaporean-style, with a local Nanyang coffee and toast.
Compared to Jiawen’s hometown of Shanghai, the Singaporean lifestyle and work culture is also less stressful, with food and housing being more affordable in comparison.
Moreover, international students get to appreciate various cultural festivals and local celebrations while they are here, such as the exchange of oranges during Chinese New Year, the colourful decorations that adorn Little India during Deepavali, and firework displays during the country’s National Day.
SMU: a home away from home
The most significant factor that helped students optimise their pandemic university experience? A multi-pronged approach by SMU to ensure the safety of its people and elevate the campus experience.
For example, large-scale campus activities such as the annual SMU Arts Festival were transformed into experiential online events. Small class sizes encouraged participation and ensured the safety of students, as various restrictions were more easily enforced. Furthermore, the University rolled out a strategy to combine digital components meaningfully with the existing interactive pedagogy.
“I was concerned about the impact of Covid-19 on the campus atmosphere,” admits Pingzhen.
“But the learning experience exceeded my expectations. Every professor I met was conscientious and spurred us to push our limits. Although it was their first time conducting online classes, they went the extra mile to ensure we understood the course materials.”
Before the pandemic, SMU had been transitioning to blended learning to nurture graduates ready for the digital economy.
“The School quickly adapted to new teaching methods,” shares Jiawen.
“I would especially like to thank our professors, who quickly mastered online learning tools to ensure they deliver lessons that are of the same standard as in-person classes.”
Over the past two years, the School of Accountancy was nimble to pivot to the dynamic realities of a post-Covid world, making the smooth transition to online learning. By remaining calm and confident, SMU stayed ever vigilant to support its students, faculty and staff. Now that students have made a full return to campus, SOA continues to demonstrate resilience and a commitment to protecting its community. As such, it has emerged stronger and more united, dedicated to nurturing future generations of graduates.
