SMU takes pride in preparing students to be responsible citizens who demonstrate leadership and integrity where they live and work. Community Service has been an integral part of SMU's DNA since our university's inception in 2000 and is a graduation requirement. All undergraduates are required to complete a minimum of 80 hours of community service.
Students matriculated in AY2020-21 (excluding students in the Bachelor of Laws programme) will be awarded one course unit (1 CU), upon successful completion of the Community Service requirements. For students in the Bachelor of Laws programme and for all students in earlier academic cohorts, Community Service will continue to be a non-credit bearing graduation requirement.
In 2016, SMU was the inaugural winner of the President's Volunteerism and Philanthropy Awards for the educational institutions category, for its efforts and resolve to nurture graduates with a strong community service ethos.
In reality, the graduation requirements belie the true passion of our students who, on average, contribute well over 135 community service hours throughout their years at SMU. As the first university in Singapore to make community service a graduation requirement for all students, SMU has devoted more than 2.9 million hours in service towards the community.
The Centre for Social Responsibility (C4SR) provide students with many opportunities to work with beneficiaries and non-profit organisations supporting various causes. These include local and overseas community service projects. C4SR also works with external enterprises to impart leadership skills and encourage volunteerism among students through talks and other initiatives. It has established many awards and grants to recognise outstanding student achievements.
Students can join a number of Community Service CCAs which reside under the Special Interest and Community Service Sodality.