Senior leaders from Singapore Institute of Management (SIM)visited the University of Birmingham to mark this summer’s 15th anniversary of the partnership between the two institutions.
The University of Birmingham’s impact in Singapore includes the School of Engineering’s work with SMRT (Singapore Mass Rapid Transit), and the ongoing commercialisation of research from Birmingham Business School’s Centre for Responsible Business.
Experts at Centre for Responsible Business have developed a sustainability measuring platform mapped to the UN’s 17 goals for sustainability. The platform has been adopted by Singapore’s Stock Exchange (SGX) and is used by over 200 companies in Singapore, assisting their journeys to net zero.
The delegation was welcomed by Professor Nick Vaughan-Williams, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Director of the College of Social Sciences, who commented: “The strength of the University’s Global Engagement has become immediately obvious to me since starting my new role, and our Partnership with Singapore Institute of Management is a valued part of that. I look forward to seeing the partnership continuing to grow in future.”
The University’s close partnership with SIM includes a portfolio of business programmes delivered in Singapore, serving students who are unable to base themselves in Birmingham or Dubai. For example, the Business School’s redesigned MBA programme will launch at SIM in January 2025, enabling, through blended learning, working professionals to join the Birmingham MBA. Together with its delivery in Edgbaston and Dubai, the Business School’s redesigned MBA will be truly global.
Hazel Westwood, Director, International Education (Singapore), Birmingham Business School, commented: “We’re proud of the strong partnership we’ve built with SIM. There are currently 700 undergraduate and postgraduate students studying for University of Birmingham business-related degrees in Singapore”.
“As well as the education opportunities created by our partnership, thousands of active alumni meet in Singapore bringing further value to the University’s strong links with business and industry in south-east Asia.”
Professor Wei Kwok Kee, Provost of SIM praised the partnership during his visit, stating the importance of the University of Birmingham to SIM’s expanding operations in Singapore and the wider region.
The SIM delegation comprised: Professor Kwok Kee Wei, Provost, Singapore Institute of Management, Kuan Meng Lim, Director, Academic Partners Development and Management, SIM, Dr Zhang Jianlin, Associate Dean, SIM, and Denise Mok, Assistant Director, Higher Education, SIM.