As higher education across the Asia-Pacific grows more interconnected, universities are increasingly building cross-border alliances to prepare students for a globalised economy. On March 13, 2026, National Taiwan University (NTU) welcomed a delegation from Singapore Management University (SMU) led by President Lily Kong—her first official visit to NTU since assuming leadership. Received by NTU President Wen-Chang Chen, the two sides discussed business education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and expanded international academic exchange, underscoring a partnership rooted in a shared commitment to cultivating globally competent talent.
Founded in 2000 and modelled on the American university system, SMU is widely regarded as one of Asia's leading institutions in business and management education, known for interdisciplinary learning, research excellence, and close engagement with industry and the public sector. During the visit, representatives explored deeper collaboration between SMU's business school and NTU's College of Management, focusing on curriculum innovation, joint research, student mobility, and the potential expansion of dual-degree and collaborative academic programs.
The two universities also reflected on existing cooperation, including SMU students' participation in NTU's International Internship Program, with placements at organisations such as STMicroelectronics, the State of Montana Asia Trade Office–Taiwan, and Impact Hub Taipei that offer cross-cultural professional experience. Looking ahead, NTU expressed interest in deepening ties with SMU's Global Summer Program to create reciprocal pathways for its own students in Singapore. University leaders described the partnership as part of a broader Asia-Pacific vision for higher education—one that integrates business, innovation, and international collaboration to equip students for an increasingly interconnected world.