Singapore Institute of Management partners with Indonesian schools to offer pathways for global education opportunities on their 60th anniversary

24 July 2024

Jakarta was the second stop on the Singapore Institute of Management’s (SIM) 60th anniversary celebrations in the region. Held at Pullman Hotel, Thamrin, the event saw SIM double down on its commitment within a key regional market by signing three Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with Indonesian schools.

Graced by Guest-of-Honour Mr Kwok Fook Seng, Singapore’s Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia, the event was attended by close to 80 guests including educators, corporate partners, alumni, and members of the media.

(From left to right) Professor Wei Kwok Kee, Provost, SIM Global Education; Ms Euleen Goh, Chairman, SIM; and Guest-of-Honour, Mr Kwok Fook Seng, Singapore’s Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia, during the traditional Nasi Tumpeng celebration.

In her welcome address, SIM Chairman Ms Euleen Goh reaffirmed SIM’s social purpose and noted education’s capacity to be a powerful equaliser, saying, “It has the power to change lives and the social economic status of individuals. It provides everyone, regardless of their background, the opportunity to improve their circumstances.”

“At SIM, we help level the playing field, giving everyone the opportunity to succeed and maximise their potential through scholarships, bursaries, and various pathways to achieve their academic aspirations.”

Reflecting SIM’s commitment to Indonesia and its promise to nurture responsible, resilient and resourceful learners, MOUs were signed with Yayasan Haluan Abadi, SMA Ignatius Global School, and SMA Elyon Christian Senior High School at the event.

(From left to right) Professor Wei Kwok Kee, Provost, SIM Global Education, and Ms Augustina, Chairman, Yayasan Haluan Abadi Sejahtera, signing a Memorandum of Understanding appointing SIM’s new Overseas Teaching Centre in Batam.

Yayasan Haluan Abadi was appointed as SIM’s second Overseas Teaching Centre (OTC) in Indonesia. Through the appointment, SIM will offer students at the school its Foundation in Management Studies programme, opening opportunities for them to pursue a further course of study at SIM in Singapore upon graduation.

Through MOUs with SMA Elyon Christian Senior High School and SMA Ignatius Global School, SIM will forge collaborations to promote, explore and provide scholarships and study tours to Singapore. This will increase SIM’s capacity to engage students, allowing for a better understanding of their learning needs to enhance overall access to higher education.

Speaking at the event, His Excellency, Mr Kwok, remarked on SIM’s impact on Indonesian-Singaporean ties, “SIM’s opportunities for scholarships and student exchanges also strengthen our people-to-people ties, which is the foundation of our relationship as close friends and neighbours. Your 6,000 Indonesian alumni play an important part in that.”

Beyond the time spent pursuing their degrees, SIM has sought to extend support for alumni by continuously prioritising their growth and professional development. This commitment was signalled with the announcement that all current learners and alumni will have access to complimentary and subsidised micro-credential courses from October 2024 to March 2025. These courses cover career-ready skills to secure dream jobs, essential core skills to enhance work performance, and cutting-edge digital modules. Upon completion, learners will earn digital badges which enhance their employability.

The 60th anniversary celebrations also gave SIM a chance to recognise the contributions of recruitment agents. Conferring the SIM Milestone Partnership Award in recognition of eight agents for more than a decade of support, SIM acknowledged the critical role agents play in advancing SIM’s mission to increase accessibility to education and champion lifelong learning.

Commenting on the latest announcements, Provost, SIM Global Education, Professor Wei Kwok Kee, said: “These initiatives support SIM’s purpose; to nurture minds for lifelong learning. By providing pathways for learners from all backgrounds, such as our scholarships and bursaries, we also create social impact by contributing towards a more equitable society through access to quality education.”