Fudan University in Shanghai and Singapore Management University (SMU) have stepped up a decade‑long relationship to a new strategic partnership that will let them tackle big problems of the digital era. The move was announced on October 6 when the two university presidents signed a Memorandum of Agreement at the 2025 Fudan‑SMU Forum on Artificial Intelligence, Digital Governance and Sustainable Societies.
The agreement focuses on joint research and teaching in AI governance, computational social science, urban sustainability and healthy ageing—areas that both universities say will help people live better in smart cities.
### A long history of teamwork
The collaboration began with an undergraduate exchange program in 2008. Since then, SMU and Fudan have co‑hosted high‑profile meetings, shared faculty, and offered joint courses, including a double master’s degree in law. The universities have also conducted many research projects that span law, economics, and information systems.
Because of this shared foundation, the new partnership will launch a new Joint Programme in Digital Technology and Society. That program will blend classrooms, research labs and community projects to create practical solutions at the crossroads of management, social sciences and technology.
### Why it matters
“Fudan’s partnership with SMU is part of China’s National Digital China strategy and our commitment to sustainable development,” said Fudan President Jin Li. “We’ll combine our strengths to develop new knowledge that can bring real‑world impact.”
SMU President Lily Kong added that the partnership reflects both schools’ shared vision of delivering meaningful results for their communities. “Our two cities—Shanghai and Singapore—are leaders in progressive urban planning. Together, we can share insights that make our cities more sustainable, inclusive and resilient,” she said.
The two universities also plan to use the partnership to train future leaders, explore how AI can support elderly care, and support cities and businesses that are looking for innovative ways to adapt to a rapidly changing world.
### Forum highlights and key talks
The 2025 forum, held before the Memorandum signing, covered challenges and opportunities in AI, digital governance and sustainability. SMU’s Lily Kong and Fudan’s Vice President Chen Zhimin opened the event, outlining future plans.
Several international scholars gave keynotes:
* Prof. Fu Xiaoming (University of Göttingen) examined how AI can change social mobility from ancient times to today.
* Prof. Zhu Feida (SMU School of Computing) spoke about tokenised economies and how collaborative intelligence can power a green digital future.
* Prof. Gilad Abiri (Peking University) discussed legal frameworks that make AI trustworthy.
* Prof. Li Qiang (Fudan) explored how digital tools can support China’s ageing population.
Roundtable sessions saw academics and industry leaders debate three main topics:
1. How AI governance can balance public good with fairness.
2. The value of AI for business transformation and talent growth.
3. Strategies for creating a sustainable digital ecosystem.
The sessions highlighted that technology must serve society, not just profits, and called for closer academics‑industry ties to turn ideas into action.
### About SMU
Founded in 2000, SMU is an internationally recognised research university in Singapore. With over 13,000 students, the university offers bachelor, master and PhD programmes across eight schools, including Business, Law, Economics, Computing and Social Sciences. SMU is known for its collaborative, project‑based learning and its emphasis on research that tackles Asian and global challenges.
The partnership between Fudan and SMU signals a new era of cross‑border higher‑education collaboration, setting the stage for breakthroughs in AI, urban policy and social care. Both institutions remain committed to producing knowledge that can improve lives and shape a more sustainable, inclusive future.
For more information, visit www.smu.edu.sg.
Source: aninews
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