The university that’s impossible to enter

The university that�s impossible to enter

…because its main entrance can’t be found! This school is supposedly conducive to female students’ learning…

SMU_ntu-gateway_WON“Every time I pass by Jurong West Street 93, I can’t help but notice the old Nanyang University memorial arch at Yunnan Park.” This arch apparently stands at what was once the main entrance of the old Nanyang University. “Nantah” was founded in 1955 and this arch marked its place. Did you know that an entrance sign holds great meaning for the place, organization or institution it represents? The direction of a sign is also pivotal to the feng shui condition of a place. However, there’s a renowned university in Singapore that lacks such a sign; nor does it have any outstanding entrance.

Yes, we’re referring to Singapore Management University (SMU) and its city campus.  Established in 2000, it is Singapore’s third public university. Unlike the other universities here, its six schools are distributed across various buildings in the city centre. Hence, it doesn’t have a distinct entrance or signage to mark its presence.

SMU’s six schools are located around Mount Emily and Fort Canning Hill. If you’re familiar with the “Five Feng Shui Dragons of Singapore”, you’ll know that Fort Canning Hill and Mount Emily are the heads of the “Central Dragon” and “Southern Dragon” respectively. This area is imposing and apart from Orchard Road, the Istana is also located here. Will SMU’s position between these two “dragon heads”  give it brighter prospects?

SMU_Map-001

We certainly believe so! In just 15 years, SMU has already become one of the top universities in Asia and the world. The Lee Kong Chian School of Business and Finance is ranked third in Asia;  its accounting faculty is top in Asia and 10th in the world; its finance faculty is second in Asia and 25th in world rankings.

What’s more, most of SMU’s campus (including the Kwa Geok Choo Law Library under construction) are near Fort Canning Hill, which is the head of the “Central Dragon” as well as a “female tiger” that helps stengthen the authority of women. SMU might just be the best place for female university students – we wouldn’t be surprised if we one day had a female Prime Minister who graduated from SMU!

The study of feng shui places great importance on the direction of buildings and organisations. So how should we determine the direction of this university without a main entrance? Dear readers, what do you think?