Ceremony Marks Milestone in Asia-Pacific Higher Education Recognition
The vibrant city of Brisbane, Australia, served as the backdrop for a significant moment in higher education on May 8, 2026. At the CASE Asia-Pacific Advancement Conference, Professor Lily Kong, President of Singapore Management University (SMU), was presented with the prestigious 2026 CASE Asia-Pacific Leadership Award by CASE President and CEO Sue Cunningham. This accolade, from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)—a global nonprofit dedicated to elevating educational institutions through philanthropy, alumni relations, and advancement practices—highlights leaders who transform universities into beacons of innovation and community impact. For Professor Kong, the award underscores her transformative tenure at SMU, where she has pioneered strategies that blend academic rigor with real-world societal contributions, particularly in Singapore's dynamic higher education landscape.
The conference itself drew advancement professionals from across the region, fostering discussions on fundraising trends, alumni engagement, and sustainable institutional growth. Professor Kong's recognition stands out as a testament to Singapore's rising influence in Asia-Pacific academia, where universities like SMU are redefining leadership amid rapid digital and social changes.
Professor Lily Kong: A Trailblazing Career in Academia
Professor Lily Kong, BBM, PBM, FBA, brings over three decades of distinguished service in higher education to her role at SMU. A socio-cultural geographer by training, she earned her PhD from the University of London and built an illustrious career at the National University of Singapore (NUS), rising to Vice Provost (Education) and Lee Kong Chian Chair Professor. Her research on religion, migration, and urban multiculturalism has garnered international acclaim, including the Victoria Medal from the Royal Geographical Society and election as a Fellow of the British Academy in 2025.
In 2015, she made history as SMU's Provost—the first woman in that position at any Singapore university. By 2019, she ascended to President, becoming the first Singaporean to lead SMU and the first woman president of a Singaporean university. This milestone reflects her commitment to values-driven leadership, emphasizing ethics, inclusivity, and global-mindedness in education.
Transforming SMU: Vision 2025 and Beyond
Under Professor Kong's stewardship, SMU has executed ambitious strategic plans like Vision 2025 and the forward-looking SMU2030. These initiatives have elevated SMU's global profile through expanded international partnerships and Overseas Priority Centres across Asia. She has embedded human-centred learning at the core, integrating ethics, sustainability, and digital intelligence into curricula to prepare students for a complex world.
A key focus has been fostering interdisciplinary education. Programs now emphasize real-world problem-solving, with students engaging in community projects that address Singapore's urban challenges. This approach aligns with Singapore's Smart Nation vision, positioning SMU as a hub for innovative talent development in business, law, social sciences, and computing.
Building a Philanthropy Ecosystem: Fundraising Triumphs
The CASE award particularly celebrates Professor Kong's role in cultivating a robust philanthropy framework at SMU. By aligning fundraising with the university's mission, she has attracted transformative gifts. Notable examples include a S$15 million donation from philanthropist Dr. Lillyn Teh to bolster finance education and empower low-income students, and a S$5 million alumni gift from Jeff Tung and Benjamin Twoon to fuel entrepreneurship initiatives.
She personally spearheaded the SMOO Challenge, raising nearly 60% of its funds to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds. This has democratized access to SMU's world-class education. In Singapore's higher education sector, where philanthropy is surging—driven by alumni networks and corporate partnerships—SMU's model sets a benchmark. For instance, the university issued a S$150 million sustainability bond, funding green projects while supporting inclusive scholarships. Visit the SMU sustainability update for more on these efforts.
- Key fundraising milestones: Over S$20 million in targeted gifts since 2019.
- Alumni giving rate: Increased by 25% under her leadership.
- Impact: Funded 500+ scholarships annually.
Sustainability as SMU's DNA
Professor Kong's vision extends to environmental stewardship. SMU's entire campus achieved Green Mark Platinum certification—the highest accolade from Singapore's Building and Construction Authority. The Sustainability Blueprint, launched in 2022, integrates eco-practices into operations, pedagogy, and research. This earned her the 2025 Impact Leader of the Year at the Sustainability Impact Awards.
Initiatives include zero-waste events, solar panels generating 10% of campus energy, and curricula embedding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Amid Singapore's push for green economy—targeting net-zero by 2050—SMU's efforts inspire peers like NUS and NTU. Her philosophy: "Sustainability is regenerative and restorative, strengthening human-environment ties."
Photo by Pang Yuhao on Unsplash
Alumni Engagement: Lifelong Connections
Strengthening alumni ties is central to Professor Kong's strategy. SMU's global network now exceeds 100,000, with active chapters in 20+ cities. Events like the SMU25 anniversary celebrations featured alumni awards and philanthropy drives, raising S$500,000 via the SMOO Challenge. These efforts enhance lifelong learning and mentorship, boosting graduate employability in Singapore's competitive job market.
In the broader Singapore context, where universities compete for talent, SMU's alumni loyalty—evidenced by high giving rates—demonstrates the power of personalized engagement.
Influence on Singapore's Higher Education Landscape
Professor Kong's leadership transcends SMU, shaping national discourse. As a key advisor, she champions lifelong learning amid Singapore's upskilling needs. SMU's rise in QS Asia rankings (top 20) reflects her impact. Compared to NUS and NTU, SMU excels in business and social sciences, with philanthropy per student surpassing regional averages. For deeper insights, see the CASE profile on Professor Kong.
Her work addresses challenges like funding diversification, as government grants stabilize but philanthropy grows—projected to hit S$1 billion annually across Singapore unis by 2030.
Reactions from Peers and the Community
The award elicited widespread acclaim. SMU alumni celebrated on social media, with posts highlighting her mentorship. Peers at NUS and NTU congratulated her, noting ripple effects on regional collaboration. CASE lauded her as a "beacon of visionary leadership." In Singapore's tight-knit HE community, this boosts morale amid global pressures like AI disruption.
Future Outlook: SMU2030 and Asia-Pacific Leadership
Looking ahead, SMU2030 emphasizes AI ethics, sustainability, and Asia-centric research. Professor Kong envisions SMU as a "catalyst for positive change," expanding philanthropy to S$1 billion by 2030. For Singapore HE, her model offers actionable insights: align giving with mission, engage alumni early, integrate ESG. Aspiring leaders can draw from her step-by-step approach: Assess needs, build partnerships, measure impact.
Implications for Philanthropy in Singapore Universities
Singapore's HE sector sees philanthropy rise 15% yearly, fueled by high-net-worth alumni. SMU's success—via targeted campaigns—provides a blueprint. Challenges like donor fatigue are met with innovative models like challenge grants. Professor Kong's award signals Asia-Pacific's shift toward mission-aligned giving, influencing NTU's S$1B campaign and NUS endowments. Explore trends in the CASE Global Philanthropy Insights.
Photo by Samuel Quek on Unsplash
| University | Recent Philanthropy (S$M) | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|
| SMU | 20+ | Student aid, sustainability |
| NUS | 500 | Research endowments |
| NTU | 300 | Innovation hubs |
Lessons for Aspiring Higher Education Leaders
Professor Kong's journey offers timeless lessons:
- Prioritize people: Build trust through transparency.
- Innovate boldly: Embed future skills like digital ethics.
- Measure holistically: Track alumni impact, not just dollars.
- Foster inclusivity: Philanthropy for all backgrounds.