Singapore Institute of Management launches overseas alumni chapter in Hanoi

The Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) launched an Overseas Alumni Chapter (OAC) in Hanoi on Friday on the occasion of the education institution’s 60th anniversary.

The Hanoi chapter is the second in Vietnam, following the well-established chapter in Ho Chi Minh City.

Ian Tan, deputy chief of mission and counsellor of the Singapore Embassy in Hanoi, launched the refreshed brand at an event attended by around 60 guests, made up of SIM’s corporate partners, alumni, and members of the Vietnamese media.

The new look comes as many industries have undergone a well-documented rapid transformation brought about by accelerated technological innovation, increased automation, and a heightened need to be agile and adapt to the external environment.

"SIM has been at the forefront of encouraging lifelong learning and upskilling Singapore and the region’s workforce since its inception 60 years ago. Our mission is to foster resilient, resourceful, and responsible individuals who are highly employable," said director of brand, marketing and communications Gerald Lum.

"By maximizing human capital potential, we create a positive multiplier effect when they enrich the communities and organisations they serve, and in turn, shaping a brighter future for society," he added.

According to SIM, Vietnamese learners make up 15% of the overall foreign students from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. There are currently more than 1,400 Vietnamese alumni. All current learners and alumni will have access to complimentary and subsidized micro-credential courses from October 2024 to March 2025.

These courses cover career-ready skills to secure dream jobs, essential core skills to enhance work performance, and cutting-edge digital modules. Upon completion, learners will earn digital badges which enhance their employability.

SIM’s refreshed identity is timely as Vietnam implements a movement to promote lifelong learning from 2023-2030. Vietnam’s constantly evolving economy will require its workforce to be equipped with lifelong skills, as they need to be both agile and resilient – a vision shared by SIM’s refreshed identity to ensure that learners are primed for the future.

The country’s young population underscores its importance as a key growth market for SIM, with its rapidly developing higher education landscape, technological advancements, economic growth, and dynamic job market.

SIM also symbolically launched its new representative office in Hanoi at the event, transitioning from its previous location in HCMC. The move aims to provide consolidated support for learners in Vietnam, helping them make informed decisions about transnational education. Established in 2019, the representative office has been dedicated to delivering positive outcomes for the community in Vietnam.

In a show of its commitment, SIM also signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with Duy Tan University, FPT Schools, the Olympia Schools and Ispace Cyber Security College.