Randy WEINBERG
Carnegie Mellon IS Programme Director & SMU-Carnegie Mellon Fast Track Programme Director

"SMU SIS is delighted to welcome the SMU fast-track scholars to Carnegie Mellon. The first groups of SMU fast-trackers have thrived in the CMU environment. Their wonderful skills, 'can-do' positive outlooks, and their passion for learning make them naturals for full participation in the many exciting opportunities CMU can offer. The students have been lively, interesting and fun — it's been great to get to know them. They challenge themselves and they push the limits. Not only do they get a great education at CMU, but they contribute in many ways to the fabric of our community, participating in a wide range of academic and non-academic pursuits. The fast-track programme has been a wonderful success. I look forward to seeing future fast-trackers in Pittsburgh."

Kevin STEPPE
SMU SIS Lecturer & SMU-Carnegie Mellon Fast Track Programme Director

"The programme gives our scholars a great opportunity to expand their horizons. The time at CMU allows them to try new fields and work at one of the finest universities in the world. With the unique SMU curriculum for undergraduate and the rigor of the CMU masters programmes, our scholars will be incredibly well prepared."

Aditya LESMANA
Masters of Information Technology in E-Business Technology, 2010
BSc (IS Management)
2006 entry batch

"As I am sitting here reflecting on what has passed, I am glad I have embarked on this life-transforming journey of the SMU-CMU Fast Track programme. Over the past three years, be it in Singapore or Pittsburgh, the SMU-CMU Fast Track programme has allowed me to interact with probably some of the most brilliant minds from diverse fields and backgrounds. Indeed, learning from an animated professor who loves to climb up on the table or from one who can deliver real world cases about monopoly and subsidy with unmatched passion and zeal are not something you can experience everywhere. Working hand in hand with wonderful people from the four corners of the world — whether to develop a piece of IT system or to prepare three course meals for one to ten and more people--has endowed me with a much broader perspective of things (and probably few extra kilograms of body mass). To my delight, in addition to the holistic knowledge I have gained through the academic rigor of two of the arguably finest universities in the field of IS, I have made many good friends and memories which I believe, despite its ups and down, I will cherish for many years to come."

NG Yao Wee
Masters in Information Systems Management, 2011
BSc (IS Management)
2006 entry batch

"I've spent two great semesters in CMU thus far. During my exchange semester, I took a variety of language, business and public policy courses from different colleges here. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and interacting with faculty and fellow students. Currently, I am pursuing the Master of Information Systems Program offered by Heinz College in CMU. I have just finished the first semester. The workload has been heavy. However, SMU has prepared me well for this. The data mining class I took this semester has definitely been an eye-opener. I am looking forward to my next few semesters here. As for life here, I took some time to get used to the freezing cold weather in Pittsburgh. Other than that, the university is always full of interesting events. The annual Spring Carnival held here has been great fun."

Aaron TAN
Masters of Information Technology in E-Business Technology, 2010
BSc (IS Management)
2006 entry batch

"CMU truly deserves its reputation as a world class institute for computer science. Over my two year stint in CMU, I have been involved with several interesting research projects in the field of virtualisation, bluetooth and human-computer interaction. I found CMU's rigorous but flexible curriculum a perfect match for me. I was allowed to pursue my interest in various research projects and startups while handling the vigorous curriculum — something I found really different from the rigid education system back home. Going into my final semester in CMU, I asked myself, what would be my greatest takeaway from CMU? One of the things other than knowledge would be the comradeship amongst the people here. The chance to meet like-minded people and stay under one roof. The countless times during dinner when we'd bounce ideas off each other and discuss issues ranging from computer science, to economics, to the world around us. This is what the SMU-CMU experience is about: exchanging ideas, cultures and knowledge, making every one of us a better person for society and beyond."

Kevin CHIA
Masters in Information Systems Management, 2009
BSc (IS Management)
2005 entry batch

"I entered the SMU-CMU Fast Track program under the IDA National Infocomm Scholarship in 2005/6, and recently graduated from Carnegie Mellon's Heinz College Master of Information Systems programme in December 2009. During my two years of living in the USA and four semesters in CMU (one undergraduate exchange semester, three graduate semesters), I gained many experiences I otherwise would not have had the chance to if I have stayed in Singapore. The courses in CMU were challenging and were of much more technical depth then what I experienced in SMU. I also took many other interesting classes outside my major, including What Philosophy Is, History of Special Effects in Films, and Introduction to Professional Baking. I enjoyed learning from my peers — many of whom I found to be well rounded and extremely intelligent, from all parts of the world — and made many friends. In fact, I went on to do the MISM capstone project with one of my teammates from the IS junior year project course. Smart.Mirror, our capstone project, has appeared in the local press and we will be turning it into an entrepreneurial venture. Over the summer, I did an internship with IBM in New York and had a blast living there. I found that MISM students are well regarded by the industry and seldom have trouble finding employment opportunities. This is because the coursework in the MISM program is extremely up to date and relevant to what is required by employers. For example, I took courses in Global IT Sourcing, Product Management in IT and Interactive Marketing." Bauknecht S, "Smart.Mirror matches fashion rather than reflect", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 14 Dec 2009

CHOI Ming Hang, Andy
Masters in Information Security Policy and Management, 2010
BSc (IS Management)
2005 entry batch

"I look back at the two years spent in CMU, both as an undergraduate as well as a Masters student in Information Security Policy and Management, and I am grateful for this enriching experience. The diversity that CMU offers is unbelievable; Carnegie Mellon has outstanding courses in very diverse fields of study, from fine arts and psychology, to robotics and computer sciences. The freedom that I had as a Masters student in taking different electives deepened my respect for the other fields of studies, and my experience in fine arts and psychology made me realise the interconnectivity between different industries in this age of advanced connectivity. Pittsburgh might not be as lively and warm as Singapore, but it sure has its charms. The historical architecture of some university buildings in both CMU and University of Pittsburgh (check out the Cathedral of Learning, which was the inspiration for Gotham City in Batman), as well as the numerous museums (such as Andy Warhol's Museum) formed a great introduction to Western culture, particularly the industrial age that Pittsburgh was famous for. The area around CMU is friendly to students, both Asian and local, so no one ever feels left out here. SMU has prepared us well for our next level of education in Carnegie Mellon University. The Masters program reinforced what we have learnt, and strengthened it with corporate exposure and project experiences. I completed a project for a consultancy firm, and the project exposed me to some challenging, real-world problems that were invaluable to my growth."

DROLIA Vidit
BSc (IS Management)
2005 entry batch

"In my first semester, I decided I should do something which I would remember for a long time to come, something that would help me think in a different way. So I took up Algorithms and decided to stop worrying about the grade for a while and focus more on developing a broader perspective of things. Working with arguably the best computer science students makes you think about work and how to go about it in a different way. Did I have to work a lot - Yes, Am I learning a lot - Yes. This is how I look at it, sure I have to work harder for a semester or two, but what I can learn now, I would probably not be able to for the rest of my life!"

Anand Sujith HENRY
BSc (IS Management)
2005 entry batch

"CMU is a wonderful place — a world class university which covers all major areas of college education. You get to interact with some of the best, I mean, probably the world's finest, faculty and students here. I am glad to be part of such a great experience and all thanks goes to SMU. SMU has prepared me well to take heavy workloads and manage my time efficiently and effectively. I am sure that the next few semesters I am going to spend here will be even more promising and would give me a better head-start for my career when I graduate from the fastrack program."

HUANG Liang
BSc (IS Management)
2005 entry batch

"Here are some heartfelt comments from me:

1. The weather is freezing cold in winter at Pittsburgh, but the professors and students here make me feel really warm.
2. Our SMU experience has prepared us well enough to sit in the US classrooms. However, if you think you are real smart there, you've got to be smarter at CMU, because you'll be surrounded by many brilliant people.
3. I'm very impressed by the American politics class I attended last semester. The students participated so actively that they had to compete for a chance to speak up.
4. I have done an information systems project with four American gentlemen, who were reserved, hardworking and meticulous. (all to my surprise!) We did a good job and won the compliments from the professors. It was really a wonderful experience!

Thanks for making the SMU-CMU such a good program for us."

YAN Ming Fei
BSc (IS Management)
2005 entry batch

"After a term here in CMU, I must admit that I have thoroughly enjoyed myself in Pittsburgh. This attitude change was dramatic as I recalled my first impression of this city was nothing but boring. I met many good friends here and actually miss those wonderful moments when we studied and had fun together. Be prepared for tough assignments. My 251 professor always says, "You guys should get the hardest assignments since you are the best." I spent a lot of time on CS 15-251 because there were many assignments, quiz and tests. However, I felt that I learnt the most from this course. As the saying goes, 'No pain no gain.'"

LEOW Xue Li, Shirley
BSc (IS Management)
2004 entry batch

"This fast-track program has exposed me to a different culture from home. It challenges my ability to adapt to a new environment and the work culture. Here in CMU, we never run out of interesting events, the university and its IS program always has in plan, a variety of events and student-faculty get together sessions for us to take time off our hectic schedule. I especially love the regular Waffle Brunch sessions organised by the IS program." Welcome to the Fascinating World of Infocomm! Features Shirley LEOW, National Infocomm Scholar BSc (IS Management) 2004 entry batch, School of Information Systems, SMU Master of Information Systems Management, Carnegie Mellon University (under the SMU-Carnegie Mellon Fast Track Programme) Breaking barriers SIS graduate, Shirley LEOW, who was on the fast-track joint programme by SMU and Carnegie Mellon University, on being a National Infocomm scholar.

DU Yanchao
BSc (IS Management)
2003 entry batch

"My past semester in CMU has been a fun experience. I explored areas I never tried before. I took a class on American politics. For the first time in my life, I found politics so interesting. Before that, politics always sounded boring to me. I also learned to play golf apart from taking classes from the IS program, Heinz School of Public Policy and Tepper School of Business. SMU has prepared me well for this fast track program. It didn't take me long to adapt to the CMU style of education that emphasised communication skills, critical thinking as well as working in teams from diverse backgrounds."