A memorandum of understanding has been struck by PropertyGuru Group and Singapore Management University (SMU) to work together on talent development, research, data exchange, and reciprocal resource and information sharing related to Asian urbanisms.
This strategic alliance, which was signed on August 15, 2024, aims to use data to get deeper insights into how Singapore and the rest of Southeast Asia’s cities are changing.
Through joint research, data exchange, and education, including capstone projects and internships for undergraduate and graduate students in Singapore and the region, this partnership will prepare the next generation of talent to handle the intricacies of the rapidly growing cities in the region.
Read also- Saudi Arabia-Based PIF Strategic Partnership with Concacaf
Through the partnership, both sides’ knowledge will be utilized to produce data-driven insights with practical applications.
Read also- Dubai-Based Yuze has Raised $30 Million in Funding
The SMU Urban Institute and the Real Estate Track at the Lee Kong Chian School of Business will collaborate with PropertyGuru to generate new information and enhance student competencies in the fields of real estate and urban development.
“As we navigate the complexities of rapid urban expansion in Asia, the urgency to address the ensuing urban challenges has never been greater. SMU’s partnership with PropertyGuru exemplifies our strategic initiative to harness the full potential of industry collaborations. This MoU is a significant step towards engaging diverse expertise within SMU to address the critical urban challenges of our time,” said Professor Sun Sun Lim, Vice President for Partnerships & Engagement at SMU.
After the MOU was signed, SMU’s IndustryConnect event provided more evidence of the value of connecting education and business. Co-hosted by SMU’s Office of Industry Engagement and Alumni Relations, the panel discussion has as its theme “Redefining Urban Living in Singapore.”
Echoing this sentiment, Ms Shyn Yee Ho-Strangas, Managing Director (Data and Software Solutions) at PropertyGuru and an alumna from SMU’s pioneer batch, emphasised the importance of this partnership. She said, “Beyond landscape and infrastructure challenges, urbanisation is also increasingly influenced by social, climate and demographic dynamics. At the heart of this transformation, PropertyGuru recognises the pivotal role data, sentiments and insights play, and we are excited to be partnering with SMU to advance Asia’s urban aspirations.”
Assistant Professor of Urban Studies (Education) Aidan Wong, PropertyGuru’s Head of Real Estate Intelligence (Data and Software Solutions), Dr. Lee Nai Jia, and Assistant Vice President (Group Investments) Joel Boh of SMU Alumni and City Developments Ltd. moderated the discussion. Li Jing, an associate professor of economics at SMU, served as moderator.
Using personal experiences as a starting point, the panel discussed the difficulties facing Singapore’s “Live, Work, Play, and Learn” urban framework as well as future plans for it. They also looked at striking a balance between community needs and economic viability in urban development.
About SMU
Singapore Management University (SMU) is renowned throughout the world for its exceptional teaching and top-notch research. SMU was founded in 2000 with the goals of producing globally influential cutting-edge research and diverse, innovative, and enterprising leaders for the knowledge-based economy.
About PropertyGuru
PropertyGuru Group, helps over 28 million property seekers locate their perfect home each month. The Group provides property seekers with over 2.1 million listings, in-depth data, and solutions to make confident property decisions in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
