The 2nd ACEM Asia-Pacific Forum, with the theme of “Design and Human Spirit”, took place in the afternoon of December 16 at the China Cultural Center in Singapore. The event was jointly organized by the Antai College of Economics & Management (ACEM) , the Asia-Pacific Graduate Institute, and the School of Design of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). The forum touched on how individuals and groups can raise their spirit to embrace the new era in the face of geopolitical evolution, global pandemic, climate change, resource shortage, economic downturn and other crises, bringing nearly 200 live audience members and was simultaneously broadcasted live on multiple new media platforms.

The forum invited nearly 10 speakers from prominent enterprises and schools worldwide. Mr. Kang Kai, the counsellor for education at the Chinese embassy in Singapore, Prof. Ruan Xin, Dean of the School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dr. Liu Thai Ker, MORROW’s Founding Chairman who is widely recognized as the “Architect of Modern Singapore”, Mr. Tan Zhiyong, Chief Executive Officer at MCC Land (S) Pte Ltd, Mr. Wu Jiong (John Wu), SJTU 1985 graduate, Founding Chairman of F&H Fund Management made their speeches at the event, shedding light on the theme from academic, industry and social perspectives. 

Prof. Xi Junfang, Asia-Pacific chief representative of ACEM, SJTU indicated that Antai Asia-Pacific Center will adhere to the college’s strategy of “Two types of scholarships, horizontal (academic) and vertical (industry), reinforcing each other and connecting theory with practice”, integrate the characteristics of science and engineering of SJTU into the development of business discipline, deepen the construction of ASEAN MBA program, and invite well-known experts from SJTU and its collaborative schools to share outstanding experience in the fields of economy, finance, science & innovation, and global governance, to bring the most valuable and cutting-edge information to students and alumni.

Prof. Xi Junfang introduces the background of the forum.

Mr. Kang Kai said in his opening speech that design has unlimited development possibilities and pursues the integration of beauty and utility, and the greatest design at present is the “community with a shared future for mankind”. Meanwhile, design has great creativity and innovation. From individuals to countries, it can not only help create a better and livable urban life, but also promote the communication and exchange of civilizations and cultures between countries and the partnership in various fields.

Counsellor Kang Kai delivers the opening speech.

Prof. Ruan Xin said during his keynote speech that while focusing on practicality, an excellent design should also focus on echoing people’s perception, so as to raise users’ spirit. Taking the renovation project of the teaching building of the School of Design, SJTU as an example, he specifically explained how to integrate Chinese and Western design philosophy so that the teaching building can not only meet the needs of teaching, but also bring spiritual enlightenment and care to teachers and students.

Prof. Ruan Xin delivers the keynote speech.

Dr. Liu Thai Ker emphasized that architecture and planning are functional arts. “If you want to do better, you need human spirit. Liu said that design itself has different functions, and designers need the brains of scientists, the hearts of humanists and the eyes of artists when transforming ideas into practical designs. Urban planning is a systematic project. It is necessary to make comprehensive use of modern science and technology, local characteristics and national style, so that the design and planning can meet the needs of use and at the same time enhance the aesthetics of the building, and cause users to resonate at the spiritual level.”

Mr. Liu Thai Ker makes comments during the speech.

During the Round-table discussion, Mr. Tan Zhiyong pointed out that excellent and reasonable design can improve the productivity, reputation and competitiveness of enterprises, thus reflecting the spirit of enterprises. When talking about the experience of public residential design in Singapore, Dr. Liu Thai Ker shared his view that residential design should not only enable citizens to afford the rent and price, but also reach the world’s top level, so it is particularly important for designers to balance the style of buildings with local characteristics.

Speakers talks at the Round-table discussion.

Mr. Wu Jiong stressed at the concluding speech that SJTU is one of the fastest growing universities in China since the reform and opening up. As a pioneer representative of Chinese universities in running schools overseas, the rapid development of SJTU Asia-Pacific Graduate Institute is not only a continuation of the past successful work of ACEM in Singapore, but also a new journey of partnership between the University and Singapore. He hoped that with the support of numerous alumni and the management team of SJTU Asia-Pacific Graduate Institute, the partnership between Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Singapore could cultivate elite talents suitable for future development of Southeast Asia and even the world.

Mr. Wu Jiong delivers the concluding speech.

The same blood is shared, like mountains and rivers that are connected together. We should create the future with pragmatic development. "Go global" is one of the school running philosophies of ACEM. With the Asia-Pacific Center as the link, ACEM closely follows the development strategies of China and Singapore, opens up a cooperative path that keeps pace with the times, and contributes SJTU's wisdom in talent training, scientific research, and serving the society.