What does it take to reimagine a university for the future? For Professor Lily Kong, BBM, PBM, FBA, President of Singapore Management University (SMU), the answer lies in challenging conventions, nurturing changemakers, and ensuring that research truly makes a difference in people’s lives.

As the first Singaporean to lead SMU, Prof Kong has broken new ground throughout her career. Yet, for her, the real reward is not in the prestigious accolades she has received, but in the opportunity to create impact by shaping generations of students and driving knowledge that advances society.

Championing research with real-world impact

No two universities are the same. Each reflects a unique community, research intention, and role in society. For Prof Kong, the responsibility of higher education is clear: universities must prepare students to thrive in and improve a changing world while also producing knowledge that serves the greater good.

As an urban geographer and interdisciplinary scholar, her research has examined themes central to Asia’s urban future—from inter-communal relations, religion, and social cohesion to national identity, cultural policy, the creative economy, heritage, and education. Across these areas, she has consistently highlighted how culture, identity, and policy shape urban life and community resilience.  

Building on this foundation, her more recent work extends these concerns into the digital age, exploring with colleagues at SMU how technology is reshaping communities in Southeast Asia’s emerging smart cities.

These studies highlight different approaches: in Jakarta, citizens are mobilised as active participants in co-creating urban infrastructure through digital platforms, while in Singapore, the Smart Nation initiative reflects a government-led model where public agencies build technological capabilities from within to drive innovation.

Prof Kong has long championed a shift in how research is valued: not just by technical metrics or superficial rankings, but by the real difference it makes to society. This conviction has shaped SMU’s research culture.  

“Lily’s leadership reminds us that research must not only be rigorous, but also relevant to the communities we serve.”  

– Professor Orlando Woods, Director, SMU Urban Institute

It is a conviction she has also carried into dialogues and broader discussions on the future of higher education. In her S R Nathan Fellow lecture series on the future of universities, and in her book Universities Reinvented: Shaping Legacy and Impact for a New World (2025), she reflected on the evolving role of universities—examining how they have historically mirrored changing societal contexts, considering what it means to be a university in an age where a 100-year life is possible, and inviting discussion on their responsibility as a “brain trust” to the world beyond their walls.

Prof Kong at the launch of Universities Reinvented: Shaping Legacy and Impact for a New World.

Nurturing the next generation of changemakers

Education has always been central to Prof Kong’s vision. At just 35, she became Dean of the National University of Singapore’s Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, navigating challenges with confidence and resilience. These early experiences shaped her belief in the importance of nurturing both intellect and character.

At SMU, education is designed to shape thinkers, leaders, and changemakers who go beyond the classroom. Students learn to question deeply, serve meaningfully, and embrace opportunities to engage with communities at home and abroad. Through initiatives such as compulsory community service, global exposure, and innovative experiential learning platforms like SMU-X, every student graduates with the values, skills, and perspectives needed to make a responsible impact on the world.

“SMU-X really brought me outside the classroom into real-world projects, where I learnt how to manage client expectations and deliver tangible outcomes.”  

– Chriscavin Wijaya, Year 3 Student, SMU College of Integrative Studies

Her leadership has also expanded SMU’s academic offerings with pioneering cross-disciplinary programmes such as Politics, Law and Economics, and Computing and Law—the first of their kind in Singapore. These initiatives reflect her conviction that the future belongs to graduates who can connect ideas across disciplines and cultures.

Prof Kong has been a steadfast advocate for the humanities and social sciences, emphasising their vital role in preparing the next generation to address society’s most pressing challenges—from social cohesion and healthcare to policy and technology. She believes that the humanities and social sciences must be studied alongside engineering and the hard sciences, so that graduates can bring both technical expertise and human understanding to their work.  

At SMU, initiatives such as the Centre for Research on Successful Ageing (ROSA) have attracted strong governmental support and corresponding research grants, as it demonstrates how rigorous social science can inform policy.

Leading with purpose

What does it take to reimagine a university for the future? For Professor Lily Kong, it is the belief that education and research must serve society—and under her leadership, SMU demonstrates how universities can remain at the forefront of change, bridging Singapore with the world and shaping generations of changemakers.

This feature is part of SMU Impact Stories, a series spotlighting the individuals and initiatives driving impact on society. Discover more stories of changemakers, leaders, and innovators from our community—and see how together, we are shaping a university for the future.