# SMU opens first China centre in Shenzhen

> Singapore Management University launches SMU China to build bridges between Greater Bay Area enterprises and Southeast Asia through research, talent and business.
- Title: SMU opens first China centre in Shenzhen · Antara News
- Summary: Singapore Management University launches SMU China to build bridges between Greater Bay Area enterprises and Southeast Asia through research, talent and…
- Keywords: singapore management university, smu china, shenzhen, greater bay area, southeast asia, enterprise, talent development, indonesia, Antara News
- Source: Antara News — https://en.antaranews.com/news/440983/smu-launches-smu-china-in-shenzhen-to-develop-asia-ready-talent
- Published: 2026-11-07T10:35:37+00:00
- Read time: 3 min
- Topics: singapore management university, smu china, shenzhen, greater bay area, southeast asia, education, enterprise, talent development, indonesia, news
## SMU launches first China centre
Singapore Management University opened SMU China in Shenzhen on twenty-two October, extending its regional presence beyond Southeast Asia into mainland China for the first time.
## Guest of honour and partners attend
The launch ceremony at Raffles Shenzhen Hotel was attended by Ms Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State, and Ms Cindy Wee, Consul-General of Singapore in Guangzhou, alongside university and industry partners.
## Four partnerships announced
SMU signed memoranda of understanding with Go Global Global Service Centre, Shenzhen Foundation for International Exchange and Cooperation, CIIC International Business Development Co. Ltd., and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen.
## Why Shenzhen matters now
SMU Chairman Piyush Gupta said Asia is shaping global growth and universities must be present where change happens. Shenzhen brings together technology companies, research institutions and entrepreneurs connected to the Greater Bay Area.

> Physical presence matters. Universities cannot fully understand changing economies and evolving societies from a distance.
## Gateway and bridge role
Gupta said SMU China will be a gateway into China and a bridge to Southeast Asia. Being on the ground allows the university to listen closely, learn deeply and contribute meaningfully.

> SMU China will be a gateway into China and a bridge to Southeast Asia.
## Two-way business interest growing
More Chinese enterprises are looking to Southeast Asia while Southeast Asian businesses seek China and the Greater Bay Area. SMU China will help organisations on both sides understand each other's markets and systems.
## Long-standing China relationships
SMU collaborates with sixty universities in China and has seven thousand alumni there.Fudan University and Zhejiang University are strategic partners.
## Student internships and research
Since two thousand eleven, more than eight hundred fifty SMU students have interned with over three hundred fifty companies in China. About a fifth of SMU's Asia-focused research focuses on China.
## Victor Huang leads the centre
SMU China is helmed by Mr Victor Huang as Country Director. It is part of SMU's network of overseas centres alongside SMU Indonesia, SMU Thailand and SMU Vietnam, delivering on SMU2030 strategic plan.
## Three pillars: connect, create, contribute
SMU President Professor Lily Kong said the centre will connect organisations in China and Southeast Asia, create opportunities for students to understand China from within, and contribute by bringing learning back into classrooms and research.
## Preparing Asia-ready talent
Kong said SMU prepares people who are Asia-ready: who understand Asian markets, systems and people, not simply know about Asia. The Greater Bay Area and Southeast Asia both need such talent.

> We care about most is preparing people who are Asia-ready: who do not simply know about Asia, but can work across it.
## Panel explores China-ASEAN bridge
The launch featured a panel discussion themed Connecting China and ASEAN: Building a Double Gateway for Innovation, Talent and Opportunity with Ms Low, Dr Xu Zhihao of Geely Technology Group, and SMU Provost Professor Alan…
## Location in Nanshan District
SMU China is located in China Resources Tower in Nanshan District, also known as Spring Bamboo or Chunsun, Shenzhen's hub for technology and enterprise. It will be SMU's principal contact point in China.
## Gateway between Asia and world
The centre will introduce businesses expanding into Southeast Asia to SMU's centres in Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. This strengthens SMU's role as a gateway between Asia and the world for the long term.
## Key takeaway

Singapore Management University opened SMU China in Shenzhen on October twenty-second to deepen education ties and help enterprises expand across China and Southeast Asia.