The College provides a holistic experience in postgraduate research that is based on interdisciplinary programmes, courses and events. This cross-school experience is a significant shift from the traditional school-based experience.

The College does this through the Graduate Research Professional Development (GRPD) programme. The GRPD aims to bring together students from different Academic Research PhD Programmes, in a series of courses, seminars and workshops, to develop the students’ interdisciplinary knowledge, as well as intellectual and interpersonal skills in various professional areas. These areas have been identified as part of the SMU’s Graduate Learning Outcomes, defining SMU’s holistic education approach.

The table below shows an overview of GRPD’s 1.0 Course Unit (CU), which will be introduced to Academic Research PhD students from AY2022 onwards, who are in the disciplines of Accounting, Asian Urbanisms, Business, Economics, Psychology, and Law, Commerce & Technology.

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
5 Pillars - GPRD
Component Details
Core
(0.5 CU)
Graduate Instructor Foundations in Teaching (GIFT)
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI)
Elective
(0.5 CU)
At least 20 hours
PGR Events (minimum 5 hours)
Brown-bag Seminars
Interdisciplinary Seminars
Faculty Talks

Skills-based Workshops/Seminars/Courses (minimum 5 hours)
Library Research Seminars
Scientific Presentation & Writing Skills Workshops
English Communication Courses
Postgraduate Professional Development Workshops
Career Development Training Workshops