Community
SMU strives to build a resilient community - one where everyone is empowered to not only manage and recover from, but also thrive in the wake of life's stresses and crises. To succeed and flourish together, we also recognise the critical importance of having a culture that values diverse views, perspectives and backgrounds, and which provides each individual with the opportunities to succeed.
SMU Resilience Framework
Through the SMU Resilience Framework, SMU aims to provide students and employees with the necessary knowledge, encouragement and experiences to develop their physical, intellectual, financial, career, social and emotional resilience. The Framework reinforces our multi-pronged approach to empowering the SMU community to make choices towards a more fulfilling life, even when faced with difficult and stressful situations.
As part of ongoing efforts at evaluating our progress and to make continuous improvements, listening strategies such as pulse surveys and focus groups, as well as validated indicators such as ROSA's 7-item Resilience Index and benchmarking surveys such as the Employee Engagement Survey will be used to track the resilience of students, faculty, and staff over time and identify areas for actions.
Community Service
Community Service has been an integral part of SMU's DNA since our university's inception in 2000. All undergraduates are required to complete a minimum of 80 hours of community service while our faculty and staff have also undertaken community service within their departments and schools throughout the years.
We are developing an Employee Volunteer (EV) framework to formalise community service learning for employees and to harness the University's strengths and expertise to deliver greater impact locally. Our EV framework will guide the development of flagship volunteer activities across several focus areas in collaboration with local communities and relevant organisations. Since January 2024, all SMU employees are eligible for paid leave to engage in volunteer work.
International Women's Day
SMU celebrates International Women's Day annually with a series of events and activities that give recognition to the social, cultural, economic and political achievements and contributions of women to society.
Mental Health Week
SMU Mental Health Week is held annually, in conjuction with World Mental Health Day to raise awareness about the importance of mental wellness and educate the SMU community on small habits that everyone can cultivate and incorporate in their daily routines to boost mental health.
Diverse-City
Diverse-City is an annual fiesta that celebrates cultural diversity and harmony, and raises awareness of the importance of cultural diversity for the SMU community.
Amazing Race
Held biennially, the event includes fun physical challenges and teamwork activities for the SMU community. Teams race to complete fun physical challenges and various activities designed to embody SMU's CIRCLE values - Commitment, Integrity, Responsibility, Collegiality, Leadership, and Excellence, and which challenge them to embrace diversity and inclusion.
SMOO Challenge
The SMOO Challenge is a biennial fundraising event to support financially challenged students. Open to , participants boost their mental and physical wellness by walking, running or cycling, regardless of where they are in the world, while supporting a good cause.
Sign up for an event
Whether you are just starting on your sustainability journey or ready to dive deep into specific topics, we have something for everyone in our exciting line-up of sustainability events. Many of them are open to the public too!