No pun intended, but how time has flown since the first issue of SoAR. And we have used the time well, as you will find from the various articles assembled here.

In 2001, SoA started out with less than twenty faculty and less than 100 students. What a difference the last six years have made!

Our first two batches of graduates are progressing well in the marketplace – learning how to survive and thrive in the working world, using the skills and gung-ho spirit we helped to foster. The third batch is waiting in the wings – they have just finished their last SMU exams, and are getting ready to say their farewells. The undergraduates are busier than ever, reaching out to others through community projects, learning hard from internships and letting their hair down for fun days together. And we have also welcomed our second batch of MPA students, thus establishing our first postgraduate programme further.

It is also heartening to see our faculty further engaging in the network of research, teaching and professional activities that help to establish SoA's and SMU's presence locally and internationally. Within SMU, our faculty has always enjoyed a (well-deserved) reputation for student focus and teaching excellence. I am happy to see that our research efforts are also starting to bear fruit.

We have much to be pleased with and grateful for. Thanks to everyone who has partnered us to make that difference!