Sustainable Leadership for Sustainable Enterprises
Hear from our graduates from the SMU-SID Directorship Programme
Our graduates from the SMU-SID Directorship Programme share their experiences after completing the programme.
First launched in 2007, the SMU-SID Directorship Programme was the first local director training programme with formal certification. The partnership brings together Singapore Management University’s academic excellence and strength in delivering executive programmes with the Singapore Institute of Directors’ strong network of business leaders in the corporate sector.
Set within an Asian context, this unique modular programme provides a 360-degree board-level view of key strategic areas and issues faced by company directors. It aims to enhance participants’ boardroom skills and update their knowledge and ability to lead in challenging times.
Participants have the option to choose to attend the other modules to be awarded the SMU-SID Directorship Programme certification*:
- A Board Executive Certificate in Directorship* will be awarded upon successful completion of Modules 1 to 3.
- An Accredited Diploma in Directorship* will be awarded upon successful completion of Modules 1 to 6.
Terence Quek
Chief Executive Officer
Singapore Institute of Director (SID)
Board Member
Health Sciences Authority (HSA)
Member of the Implementation Committee on Accountancy Workforce Development
Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA)
Tell us what sustainability means to you.
Sustainability isn't just about "doing good", but also "being good". It is not about making donations to support environment causes or doing corporate volunteering, like a beach clean-up. These are well and good, and should continue, but it is more important that the organisation is run well, with good governance, ethical standards, ad practices responsible resource management, and more.
This is the only way that organisations can continue to add value to its ecosystem and enjoy legitimacy to operate for a long time to come. Leaders—especially Directors—should not only feel responsible for sustainability, but should take a proactive approach in charting the direction and modelling the way."
How did the programme help you to become a better Director?
Being a Director of a company without formal grounding is akin to driving a car without learning the highway code. You may be able to get the car moving on the road, but you never know when you will get into serious trouble.
The programme is a good platform for executives learners to learn from and network with directors of diverse backgrounds, companies and industries. Through class discussions and interactions with my classmates, I was able to enrich my learning."
Daniel Soh
Sector Leader, Asian Conglomerates
Korn Ferry
Who should champion sustainability in a business?
The success of business sustainability cannot be solely dependable on just 'sustainability specialists'. The initiative must be drive at the top, i.e. CEO and endorsed by the Board, and facilitated by the senior management team and business sustainability specialists within the firm.
The line managers and the 'larger work force' must also buy-in. Otherwise, business sustainability initiatives will not succeed."
How did the programme help you to become a better Director?
SMU-SID Directorship programme struck a perfect balance between breadth and depth. Apart from having an outstanding faculty that consisted of high-profile practitioners and world class SMU academics, I was also surrounded by an exceptional cohort of senior executives and very experienced board members.
Hence, the diversity of the group led to a lot of sharing of valuable insights, and I was truly impressed with the class engagement and discussion. The learnings were not just theoretical but based on many real-life examples.
Overall, the programme had certainly made a lasting impression and exceeded my expectations in every aspect!"
Edwin Chong
Senior Vice President (Financial Securities Trading / Dealing and Capital Markets)
UOB Kay Hian
What can business leaders do for the environment?
Being in the community of business leaders, business leaders understand and are aware that the responsibilities are immense and demanding.
Sometimes, however, this may not be so apparent. We can't see the effect straight away as it's long-term effort and through the top-down approach.
Our decisions can have profound and uneven impact on our various stakeholders, and leaders are essential in the process of making a sustainable environment within an organisation.
Every leader can use better business approaches, such as using less paper, use less material for day-to-day running of the business, or use recyclable materials to be a better sustainable leader within the industry"
How did the programme help you to become a better Director?
The modules of the programme were structured in a manner where participation was multi-pronged. The classroom interactions have been exceptionally useful as it has given participants the opportunity to think-outof-the-box and enable us to have a positive and can-do mindset whilst solving real business issues."
About the SMU-SID Directorship Programme
The programme is a collaboration between Singapore Management University and Singapore Institute of Directors to empower board directors to be champions of good governance. The programme offers an ideal opportunity to strengthen your understanding of a director’s role and duties, and how you can serve your firm more effectively.
