Driven By Purpose: Anson Koh’s Journey to Leadership and Social Impact
For Anson Koh, an undergraduate from the SMU School of Computing and Information Systems, SMU is a place of growth and connection. Beyond taking on leadership roles in student clubs, he co-founded Savvy Savers, a start-up that promotes financial literacy among youths. Looking ahead, Anson hopes to harness technology to drive social impact.
Choosing a university that Inspires growth
When Anson Koh first stepped onto Singapore Management University’s (SMU) campus, he wasn’t just choosing a place to study. He was looking for an environment where learning felt alive—shaped by conversations, collaboration, and a close-knit community.
“I was looking at which school’s teaching pedagogy aligns better with me. I prefer more personal interactions, and I wanted a smaller class size,” he recalls. That clarity gave him the confidence to join the School of Computing and Information Systems (SCIS) as a Global Impact Scholar, ready to stretch his potential.
Belonging in a vibrant community
The transition to university life often comes with uncertainty, but for Anson, SMU’s city-centre campus quickly became a source of connection.
“Even though they’re from different faculties, I still get to see a lot of my friends around,” he says. The energy of a campus buzzing with student-led clubs and societies encouraged him to dive right in.
By his first year, he was taking on leadership roles in several clubs, managing a full course load, and even experiencing his first full-time internship. It was a demanding pace, but also one that taught him the value of leaning on others.
“What kept me grounded was a supportive group of friends who encouraged me and helped me stay organised,” he shares. Professors, too, made a difference.
“Every professor here is willing to really care about students on a personal level.”
For Anson, those moments of encouragement transformed SMU from just a place of study into a genuine community.
Creating a start-up with heart
Growing up in a lower-income household shaped Anson’s perspective on money. He noticed that financial literacy was often learned only when people faced big life milestones—paying university tuition, buying a home, or managing debt.
“I realised that the people who really care about their own finances and manage them actively are often from lower-income families. They also need the skills most,” he explains.
From that realisation, Anson and a few peers created Savvy Savers: a start-up that uses game-based simulations to help young people practise everyday money decisions. What began as sketches on paper soon evolved into workshops, supported by encouragement from SMU’s Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE) and guidance from mentors.
The path was anything but straightforward: cold calls went unanswered, and partnerships took time to build. But persistence, coupled with advice from more experienced founders, gave Savvy Savers the momentum it needed to grow.
Lessons in leadership and service
Leadership, for Anson, has never been about titles. It is about stepping up when something matters.
He began with casual volunteering, before realising he could do more to raise awareness of causes close to his heart. While still in junior college, he founded the Interact Club of Sembawang, Singapore’s first health-focused Interact Club tackling issues from mental health to migrant worker well-being.
At SMU, he continued this commitment, serving as a peer supporter for at-risk youth and a facilitator with Youth Corps Singapore. “One important thing is to be shameless—don’t be afraid to reach out to people and take the initiative,” he says with a laugh.
Looking ahead: technology for social good
Still in the early years of his SMU journey, Anson is already thinking about how his computer science training can be used for broader impact. In October 2025, he was selected as SMU’s representative for an exclusive Talent Exchange session at the 12th Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC), where he pitched himself to C-suite leaders and global start-up founders.
“I realised that computer science is all-encompassing. We can use it to create accessible technologies for people, whether it’s the elderly or underserved,” he explains.
In the near term, he hopes to gain experience in big tech or start-ups before building ventures of his own. His advice to peers is simple: stay true to yourself.
“You shouldn’t force yourself to do something just for your portfolio. Instead, find an area of interest and then build towards that. If you are passionate about mental health, for example, participate in initiatives around that.”
A launchpad for changemakers
Anson’s story is still unfolding, but it already reflects what happens when passion finds the right environment. For him, SMU is more than a university—it is a launchpad for changemakers.
Ready to chart your own path and make an impact? Explore SMU’s undergraduate programmes and scholarships and discover how you can turn passion into purpose.
