17 Singaporean academics and students from four autonomous universities including SMU, were awarded the Singapore Teaching and Academic Research Talent (START) scholarships this year. At a virtual award ceremony, the award recipients engaged in a dialogue with Minister of Education Lawrence Wong. Mr Wong cited SMU Dean of Students and Professor of Sociology (Practice) Paulin Straughan as an example, of how academics can use their research to influence, shape and contribute to the wellbeing of our next generation, as well as meet the challenges of today and the future. Prof Straughan is currently studying how to better manage the health of the elderly and protect them from the impact of the coronavirus epidemic.