Singapore — Professor Lily Kong, President of Singapore Management University (SMU), has been honored as Impact Leader of the Year 2025 in the Individual category at the Sustainability Impact Awards. The event, jointly organized by The Business Times and UOB, recognizes individuals and enterprises in Singapore that have made significant contributions to advancing sustainability across education, research, operations, and community engagement.
Prof. Kong’s recognition reflects her leadership in embedding sustainability into every aspect of SMU’s ecosystem. Under her guidance, the university has integrated sustainable practices into its curriculum, campus operations, and research agenda, while also fostering partnerships with industry and government to drive broader impact.
In her acceptance remarks, Prof. Kong emphasized that sustainability is not just a policy but a way of life. She credited the collective efforts of SMU’s students, faculty, and partners, highlighting that meaningful change requires collaboration across all levels of society.
Her personal journey also shaped her commitment to sustainability. Growing up in modest circumstances, she developed habits of resourcefulness and care for the environment that continue to influence her leadership today. This personal ethos has translated into institutional strategies that prioritize regenerative and restorative approaches to human-environment relationships.
The award underscores the growing importance of academic leadership in addressing global challenges. By positioning SMU as a hub for sustainability research and education, Prof. Kong has demonstrated how universities can act as multipliers of change, equipping future leaders with the knowledge and values needed to build a more sustainable world.
Looking ahead, Prof. Kong’s recognition as Impact Leader of the Year 2025 sets a benchmark for higher education institutions in Asia and beyond. Her achievement is not only a personal honor but also a testament to the role of academia in shaping sustainable futures.
