Maximise Your Potential with SMU-X Lifelong Learning
Welcome to SMU-X Lifelong Learning (SMU-XL), an exciting extension of SMU’s Industry Project-Based Experiential Learning (INDEX) programme. By focusing on andragogy, lifelong learning, and industry collaboration, SMU-XL
Lifelong Learning connects adult learners with industry partners for practical, hands-on learning experiences across different stages of their career and education. This initiative leverages the principles of andragogy, emphasizing the unique needs of adult learners and promoting a self-directed, collaborative, and experience-based learning approach.
At SMU-XL, faculty members and industry champions mentor adult learners to innovate solutions to actual business challenges and objectives.
Key Features of SMU-X Lifelong Learning
Lifelong Learning
Focus:
SMU-XL contributes to the continuous learning of working professionals, SMU alumni and mature students by enabling them to bridge the gap between theory and practice effectively.
Collaboration with
Industry Partners:
SMU-XL takes a project-based approach to address real-world challenges faced by industry partners through project collaborations.
Integration with
Graduate Programs:
SMU-XL comprises 60 credit hours and is a graduation requirement embedded in the Industry Practice Master of Digital Economy.
Flexible Learning
Formats:
SMU-XL forms an integral part of Industry Practice Master that offers a flexible, personalised, industry-relevant continuing education pathway, empowering adult learners to pursue their professional goals at their own pace.
SMU-X Lifelong Learning Programme
SMU-XL is offered under SMU's Industry Practice Master of Digital Economy.
Find out more about Industry Practice Master of Digital Economy
SMU-XL involves team projects with 2 to 5 members, including program learners or colleagues. Each project lasts 13 weeks, running from August to November and January to April each year. Evening classes and hybrid delivery benefit professionals, SMU alumni, and mature students working full time.
Experience with SMU-X Lifelong Learning
SMU-XL harnesses SMU’s flagship Industry Project-Based Experiential Learning approach, enabling adult learners to tackle real-world challenges for their employer or industry partners. Through this, adult learners get to showcase their expertise by crafting solution prototypes, enhancing content knowledge and honing critical core skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and decision-making.
The enrolment of SMU-XL opens twice per year: April (for August to November run) and September (for January to April run). Learners are encouraged to form their own project team prior to the enrolment. Each project team shall consist of a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 5 members. Sign-ups post deadline will be dealt with individually.
Below are the key milestones of SMU-XL projects:
Project Kick Off
(Week 1)
Project teams meet faculty and industry partners who will share details of project challenges.
Proposal Presentation
(Week 3)
Project teams present project proposals and agree on the detailed scope and deliverables with faculty and industry partners.
Mid-term Progress Presentation
(Week 8 / 9)
Project teams develop solutions and present project progress to faculty and industry partners for feedback.
Final Presentation
(Week 12 / 13)
Project teams present final solutions and recommendations to industry partners. Faculty grades project team.
Apart from the above touchpoints, the project teams will liaise with industry partners for inquiries, data requests, and clarifications as required for project progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
SMU-XL harnesses SMU's flagship Industry Project-Based Experiential Learning approach, enabling you to tackle real-world challenges for your employer or industry consultancy. Through this, you'll showcase your expertise by crafting solution prototypes, enhancing your content knowledge, and honing critical core skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and decision-making.
SMU-XL comprises 60 CHE, contributing towards the completion of the IPM.
It's advisable to engage in an SMU-XL project after finishing Programme Core and Track Core.
You're encouraged to arrange a project with your employer, showcasing your skills and contributing to your organization. If this isn't feasible, you can request to join another learner's project, subject to instructor and project sponsor approval.
As skillsets and project requirements vary, it's best to actively seek a project. If you encounter difficulties, reach out to the SMU-X Office for assistance.
SMU-XL entails team projects, where members may include learners from the program or colleagues. All team compositions require approval from the overseeing instructor.
You're encouraged to form your project team. If you need assistance, contact the SMU-X Office for support.
Teams can comprise a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 5 members, with the final number determined by the project's overseeing instructor.
Mentors, including the instructor, Adjunct Teaching Mentor (if applicable), and project sponsor, may guide you. Minimum touchpoints include project kick-off, proposal presentation, midterm progress presentation, and final presentation.
Instructors assess your work based on predetermined rubrics.
Regular meetings with your instructor are expected at project checkpoints, with a minimum 75% attendance requirement. Failure to meet this may result in failing SMU-XL.
- Project Initiation
- Research and Planning
- Midpoint Review
- Final Review and Refinement
- Presentation and Completion
Projects must be completed within a term.
Unless otherwise stated in writing, the project sponsor owns the IP.
Confidentiality is crucial, and you're expected to uphold it. You may be asked to sign a Confidentiality Undertaking before starting your project.
Your instructor is your primary contact. For SMU-XL inquiries, contact the SMU-X office at smux@smu.edu.sg.
SMU-X Lifelong Learning (SMU-XL) is an exciting initiative launched with SMU’s new Industry Practice Master (IPM) of Digital Economy. It provides industry project-based experiential learning to adult learners who will translate their classroom knowledge into solving real-world challenges for our industry partners.
The Industry Practice Master (IPM) of Digital Economy is Singapore’s first stackable applied postgraduate degree. Offering a flexible, personalized, industry-relevant continuing education pathway for adult learners, the IPM provides them with the opportunity to stack certificate courses, engage in work-based learning, earn industry certifications and access personalized learning.
There are currently 3 specialized tracks under IPM: Data Protection and Data Governance, Digital Supply Chain and Intelligence, and Digital Procurement.
SMU-XL project teams bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions, addressing real-world challenges. They offer consultancy resources for exploratory or pilot projects, guided by faculty to ensure quality outcomes. Additionally, it offers a potential talent pool for sponsors.
The SMU-XL projects span 13 weeks, typically taking place from August to November, and January to April annually.
A project team consists of at least 2 members and no more than 5 members.
The adult learners have at least 5 years of professional experience and are typically employed in jobs relevant to their specialization. They have mostly completed the Program Core and Track Core modules before starting SMU-XL projects.
It is likely a combination. Some may be working full-time while undertaking IPM, whereas others might be in the midst of transitioning careers.
Register your interest with the SMU-X Office. They will collaborate with you, along with input from faculty, to define a project tailored to your business needs and goals. At the project kick-off, you will meet the designated project team for comprehensive discussions. By week 3, the project team will present the final proposal, which includes the detailed project scope and deliverables, for your approval.
SMU-XL projects are based on your real business needs and objectives. If you already have a problem statement, you may share it. Otherwise, the SMU-X Office will assist you in defining the project scope.
Yes, you can sponsor multiple SMU-XL projects simultaneously or have several project teams working on the same SMU-XL project to obtain different perspectives. Please be aware that this may increase the time required for activities such as project communication and addressing context enquiries.
No. SMU-XL projects are designed to address your real business needs. The SMU-X Office will work with you to define project topics that would gain significant benefits from the specialized tracks under IPM. Currently, there are three specialized tracks under IPM: Data Protection and Data Governance, Digital Supply Chain and Intelligence and Digital Procurement.
SMU-XL projects run twice a year, from August to November, and January to April. Please express your interest to the SMU-X Office so they can reach out to you for future opportunities.
No, sponsoring an SMU-XL project does not involve any cost to your organization.
As a project sponsor, you must have a vested interest in the project's success and appoint a Project Champion who will provide project-related data/materials and serve as a context mentor. You need to engage with the project team at least four times throughout the project lifecycle: during the project kickoff, proposal presentation, mid-term progress presentation, and final presentation. The estimated total time commitment is roughly 13 hours over a span of 13 weeks.
Project Champions must participate in the following key milestones:
- Week 1: Kick-off (~45 minutes)
- Week 3: Proposal presentation (~20 to 25 minutes)
- Week 8 or 9: Midterm progress presentation (~60 minutes)
- Week 12 or 13: Final presentation (~60 minutes)
The assigned Project Champion from your organization should have at least four touchpoints with the project team during the project: kickoff, proposal presentation, mid-term progress presentation, and final presentation. Additionally, project teams will liaise with the Project Champion for inquiries, data requests, and clarifications. You can discuss the preferred communication frequency with the assigned project team.
Given the course schedule, key project milestones take place in the evenings. We encourage Project Champions to attend either in person or online to facilitate project progress. If you are unable to attend, you may send a delegate in your place or make separate arrangements, subject to the availability of the faculty and project team.
Communication can occur via emails, messages, online meetings, in-person meetings, or site visits. Discuss with the project team to determine the communication mode that works best for both parties.
Unless otherwise stated in writing, the project sponsor retains ownership of the IP.
All project members and faculty must sign a Confidentiality Undertaking before the project's kick-off. Please inform the SMU-X Office of any additional requirements from your organization to ensure compliance.
ou can contact the SMU-X Office at smux@smu.edu.sg.
