A Vibrant Welcome: Stepping into SMU Vivace 2025:
As Singapore Management University celebrates a milestone 25 years of bold ideas and vibrant communities, Vivace 2025 invites students on a nostalgic journey through time — where vintage charm meets the timeless energy of student life.
About Vivace:
Vivace is SMU's annual Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) fair organised by the SMU Students' Association (SMUSA), showcasing over 150 student clubs across diverse interests spanning arts, sports, community service, special interests, and academic pursuits. Whether you're an incoming freshman or a current student, this two-day extravaganza held on August 14-15, 2025, from 10AM to 5PM daily, offers the perfect opportunity to explore the vibrant student life that SMU has to offer.
Experiencing Vivace 2025:
Walking through Vivace is like exploring a live directory of SMU student life. You wander past tents, meet student leaders, see performances, pick up flyers, and perhaps hear a live dance-orchestra mashup at ICON or SMUX stages. The fair isn’t just for freshmen — returning students (including postgraduates) often drop by to catch up on new clubs or see what changed. The layout is intuitive: booths are grouped under umbrella categories (Academic Clubs, Sports Union, Arts & Culture Fraternity, Special Interest & Service, ICON / International Connections, and Governance / Registered & Independent).
What in it for YOU?
You might grab a goodie bag at LKS Level 1 or at Big Steps, get your Bingo card stamped at club booths, try an interactive sponsor booth challenge, enjoy a short showcase performance during the programme schedule, or simply mingle with other students and club members.
Vivace doubles as orientation and as ongoing CCA discovery. It’s convenient, lively, and structured to encourage hands-on engagement (make-a-friend-at-the-booth kind of engagement, not just reading posters alone).
It also feeds into SMU’s Co-Curricular Transcript (CCT) / Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) pathway — meaning CCAs aren’t just extracurricular fluff, but contribute to your holistic development.
Postgraduate-Friendly Clubs at Vivace: Finding Your Place:
While many CCAs At SMU traditionally cater to undergraduates, several clubs and constituent bodies welcome postgraduate students with open arms. For Masters and Doctoral Students seeking meaningful engagement beyond the classroom, here are key options to consider:
| Club / Category | Why It Might Suit Postgraduates |
|---|---|
| ICON – SMU International Connections | ICON includes many cultural / international-student-oriented clubs. For example, SMU Connect China is listed under ICON and notes that it is open to all SMU students and that career talks are held that include postgraduate students. (Vivace SMU) |
| Governance, Registered & Independent (GRI) | This umbrella includes Functional Student Bodies (FSBs), Registered Societies (ROS), and some institutional clubs. While much is undergraduate-focused, GRI includes university-level governance bodies (e.g. SMUSA) that may offer opportunities for postgraduate involvement, or at least for collaboration / outreach. |
| Academic-based Clubs | Though details vary, many academic-based and institute/centre-affiliated clubs may accept postgraduate student membership (or allow involvement in events). It’s worth exploring your department’s academic-club listing under Vivace’s “Academic Clubs” section. |
| ICON Cultural / International Student Clubs | Because ICON’s portfolio is geared toward international connections and cultural exchange, PG students (especially international ones) may find their niche here (language & cultural clubs, multicultural events, and social networks). |
| Special Interest & Community Service Sodality (SICS) | Clubs under SICS (community, social causes, debating, Toastmasters, etc.) may offer flexible membership / event participation that PG students can join. For example — Toastmasters, debating, social causes tend to be more inclusive. |
Tips to make the best of your time at Vivace:
- Before committing, check the individual club’s webpage to see if they list “open to postgraduate students / SMU students beyond undergraduates.”
- Attend the Vivace booths and speak to the club’s EXCO (Executive Committee) to double-check commitment level, meeting frequency, and whether PG-friendly.
- Some clubs may have social media or email contact (often listed on their “Explore” page under Vivace).
Vivace: Where it all comes TOGETHER:
Vivace 2025 makes orientation feel less like an administrative task and more like a festival of possibilities.
Whether you’re a fresher or a postgraduate student looking to connect beyond your academic work, it’s an invitation to step into SMU’s community. Use it to sample cultures, interests, and communities you didn’t know you needed.
For postgraduate students especially, Vivace is your chance to meet kindred spirits, get involved in culture / interest / service-oriented clubs, and—to the extent permitted—take on responsibilities within student groups.
Important Contact Information:
- General Inquiries: vivace@sa.smu.edu.sg
- Instagram: @smuvivace
