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Celebrating the Impact of the Reach Alliance’s Social Entrepreneurs
At the heart of the Reach Alliance’s mission is the transformative power of student-led research to address global challenges. Through partnerships with institutions like the Singapore Management University (SMU), Reach is empowering the next generation of social entrepreneurs to create meaningful change.
One of the standout initiatives this past year is the case study entitled How can we Utilise Conversational A.I. to Enhance Financial Literacy for Migrant Workers in Singapore? Led by SMU student researchers Arif Woozer, Alexander Tsai, Caroline Cheng, and Gigi Foo and mentored by Professor Andrew Koh, this project explores how conversational AI can bridge the financial literacy gap among migrant workers in Singapore. By developing an AI-powered chatbot, the team’s goal was to provide accessible financial education, enabling workers to make informed decisions about their finances.
Another significant project is Project MigrantPal: Harnessing Digital Technology to Improve the Well-being of Migrant Workers in Singapore. This initiative, undertaken by SMU students Dexter Tan, Xinhui Chua, Joanne Tan, and Jun Jie Oi and mentored by Professor Koh, focuses on leveraging digital tools to address the social and psychological challenges faced by migrant workers.
The team developed and trialed an AI-enabled chatbot designed to answer common queries, aiming to improve access to information and support for these workers. Their work underscores the potential of technology to enhance the well-being of marginalized communities.
The success of these projects is a testament to the collaborative efforts between students, faculty mentors, and research partners. At SMU, faculty mentors like Professor Andrew Koh have been instrumental in guiding students through the research process – these collaborations ensure that the research is not only academically rigorous but also practically impactful.
Professor Elvin Lim, Dean of the College of Integrative Studies (CIS) at SMU is proud of the impact that faculty mentors and researchers are having. “CIS is thrilled to be part of the Reach network. Our students and faculty are insistent that the advancement of knowledge at a university should benefit everyone, and there are concrete steps we can take to make this so. We hope to see more projects like these reach other under-represented groups in Singapore, Southeast Asia, and beyond.”
The Reach Alliance is fostering a new generation of social entrepreneurs committed to sustainable development and social equity. Their work exemplifies how innovative thinking and collaborative efforts can lead to meaningful change in the lives of marginalized communities.
