The Singapore Management University (SMU) has reportedly announced to have commenced the construction of a five-story green building at Stamford Road that will support hands-on learning for its students and cultivate entrepreneurship and innovation at the university.

As per trusted sources, the construction is being funded by a donation from a philanthropic organization, Tahir Foundation, and a grant from the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) under the Public-Sector Construction Productivity Fund. Reportedly, the building has been named as the Tahir Foundation Connexion in appreciation of the organization’s contribution. The SGD 70 million development would facilitate the university’s SMU-X program that was launched in 2015, cite sources.

According to a press release issued by the SMU, the university’s SMU-X pedagogy is designed to focus on experiential learning through real-world projects by providing students with next-gen learning facilities that boast of future adaptability and flexibility. Reportedly, the new green building would include student lounges, integrated learning studios, collaborative zones, brainstorming hubs, and active learning classrooms.

Moreover, an incubation space of about 500 sqm would be set aside for startups to provide SMU students and alumni with an environment that fosters entrepreneurship and innovation. Reportedly, the incubation space would be able to accommodate around 80 startups each year.

Sources familiar with the development claim that the Tahir Foundation Connexion would be the first on-site net zero energy building in the city center. The green building is self-sustainable as it generates its own electricity and has been designed to meet the BCA’s Green Mark Platinum certification.

While speaking on the occasion of the ground-breaking ceremony, Singapore’s Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for National Development, Desmond Lee was reportedly quoted stating that the completion of the building would be a significant event in the nation’s goal of constructing low energy or zero energy buildings.

The construction of the building is expected to be completed by the end of 2019, cite reliable sources.