What we do

Vision

To be Asia’s leading centre for teaching innovation, advancing lifelong learning, harnessing AI and technology, and shaping transformative education that empowers learners and educators to thrive in a complex, interconnected world. 

Mission

The Centre for Teaching Excellence strengthens SMU’s distinctive pedagogy and contributes to global educational leadership. 

We do this by:

  1. Empowering faculty to deliver evidence-based, interactive, and impactful teaching across all education segments.
  2. Driving innovation in pedagogy and andragogy, with a special focus on AI in education and lifelong learning.
  3. Supporting educational research that connects classroom practice with global challenges.
  4. Building communities of practice that transcend disciplines and institutions, positioning SMU as a hub for teaching innovation in Asia.
  5. Recognising and celebrating excellence in teaching, inspiring faculty to continually grow and transform student learning. 

How We Create Impact

Empowering educators

We partner with faculty at every stage of their teaching journey.

  • Onboarding programmes that prepare new colleagues for success in the SMU classroom.
  • Regular teaching workshops and events that expand pedagogical knowledge, encourage best practice sharing,  and strengthen teaching skills.
  • FACETS (For Assessment of Continuing Excellence in Teaching) to deepen expertise.
  • Teaching Excellence Awards to recognise and celebrate outstanding educators.

These efforts help faculty thrive in the classroom, strengthen SMU’s distinctive pedagogy, and foster a culture of experimentation, innovation, and collaboration within our teaching community.

Where bold ideas and AI shape the future of learning

We serve as a hub for experimentation and adoption of new teaching approaches. Our work focuses on two priority areas from SMU’s Digital Learning Framework:

  1. Digital Interaction & Collaboration: advancing Blended Learning 2.0, MOOCs, and innovative online models that extend learning beyond the classroom, connecting students with real-world insights through interviews with industry leader and interactive case studies.
  2. AI-based Personalisation: developing tools such as the AI Tutor and intelligent course planning assistants that support flexible, adaptive, and student-centred learning.

To accelerate this work, we have created a dedicated AI Projects subgroup, a cross-functional team advancing SMU’s growing portfolio of AI-enabled teaching initiatives. 

Grounding innovation in evidence

Innovation must be grounded in evidence. This pillar strengthens the connection between educational research and technology-enhanced learning. 

  • The Educational Research group supports faculty-led inquiry into teaching and learning.
  • The EdTech group  collaborates with instructors on creative projects, from learning apps to educational games, and ensures digital innovations are rigorously tested and effectively scaled for impact. 

Together, these teams build a cycle of research, experimentation, and adoption that shapes both SMU’s pedagogy and broader educational practice. 

Our Commitment to SMU's Strategy 2025-2030

CTE advances SMU’s Education Strategy by:

  • Sharpening graduate distinctiveness: equipping faculty to nurture Changemakers, Practice-Oriented Leaders, Knowledge Creators, and Lifelong Learners.
  • Driving innovation in pedagogy and andragogy: piloting AI-powered tools, blended learning models, and interdisciplinary approaches that prepare learners for future challenges.
  • Strengthening lifelong learning: ensuring that SMU faculty and students are part of a culture of continuous growth and renewal.