Singapore Management University (SMU) Visits BlockchainWork: Expanding Blockchain Talent Collaboration Across ASEAN

On June 17, 2026, BlockchainWork welcomed a delegation from Singapore Management University (SMU) to its Ho Chi Minh City office. The SMU delegation was led by Ms. Wong Soo Mei, Assistant Director of ASEAN Program Development, and Mr. Linh Vu, ASEAN Internship Program Manager (Vietnam Representative). Representing BlockchainWork were CEO Tien Le and two Board of Directors members, Mr. Phan Trung Hieu and Mr. Koichiro Abe.

From BlockchainWork’s Singapore Campus Visit to SMU’s First Intern in Vietnam

The connection between BlockchainWork and SMU began more than a year ago, when CEO Tien Le made an official visit to SMU’s Singapore campus in April 2025. There, she met Ms. Wong Soo Mei and discussed the potential of connecting SMU students with Vietnam’s rapidly growing blockchain and Web3 ecosystem.

From that conversation, in May 2026, BlockchainWork welcomed its first SMU intern: Hannah Teh, a second-year SMU student, who joined as a Community Growth Intern. It was Hannah’s first time in Vietnam – a journey not just for work, but to explore a new culture, navigate an entirely new work environment, and experience the blockchain industry firsthand from the perspective of community and people.

During her internship, Hannah was guided by the CEO on applying AI tools and project management practices in her day-to-day work.

She also joined the BlockchainWork team at Job Fair 2026 at Greenwich Vietnam, connecting with students and professionals at one of the city’s key career events.

Hannah shared her reflections on growing at BlockchainWork: “Blockchain has taught me more than I expected. At BlockchainWork Vietnam, I’ve had the opportunity to observe candidates, founders, and professionals from across the ecosystem. The longer I’ve spent researching and connecting, the more I’ve realized: standing out in blockchain is rarely about having the most technical knowledge. I’ve seen incredibly talented candidates with impressive resumes who still struggled to find opportunities. At the same time, I’ve seen others build remarkable careers because they understood something equally important: relationships matter. In a space built on transparency, knowledge sharing, and community, the people who succeed are often the ones who show up consistently, even when the market slows down.”

>>Apply: The latest blockchain jobs

SMU’s ASEAN Internship Programme – Bridging Talent Across Southeast Asia

The ASEAN Internship Programme (AIP) is a strategic initiative by SMU that places undergraduate students at companies across Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand. Beyond professional experience, the programme offers students immersive exposure to multicultural working environments.

In 2025, SMU launched an enhanced version called AIP+, integrating three components: academic credit modules, corporate internships, and in-market experiential activities. Academic modules on Vietnam’s economy, politics, and society were co-developed with Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM).

In 2026 alone, over 60 SMU students are interning at Vietnamese companies under the AIP programme – a clear signal of Vietnam’s growing importance in SMU’s ASEAN strategy.

Expanding Human Capital and Partnership Networks Between Two Organisations

Representatives from BlockchainWork and Singapore Management University meet to discuss talent development collaboration across the ASEAN region.

During the working session, both delegations reviewed the internship journey and discussed the path ahead. SMU interns at BlockchainWork had the opportunity to work in a dynamic blockchain startup environment, engage with Vietnam’s growing Web3 community, and experience multicultural workplace culture firsthand.

“SMU is delighted to collaborate with BlockchainWork and Vietnamese companies through our internship exchange programme. Vietnam is one of the most rapidly growing markets in the region and has become one of the key destinations in our AIP programme. For our students, this is a rare opportunity to not only explore a new country, but to genuinely understand workplace culture, the spirit of collaboration, and how to adapt and operate effectively in a dynamic economy. Our partnership with BlockchainWork directly connects SMU students and our network with Vietnam’s vibrant technology and blockchain-Web3 sector.” – Ms. Wong Soo Mei – Assistant Director, ASEAN Program Development, Singapore Management University

“We deeply value our collaboration with SMU – one of Singapore’s leading universities with a truly global vision. BlockchainWork has always aspired to build a multicultural, open, and connected work environment – and that is precisely the spirit of the Web3 industry. We look forward to welcoming more SMU students and deepening our collaboration through cultural and academic exchange programmes, as well as connecting and introducing our partner networks to each other.” – Ms. Tien Le – CEO, BlockchainWork

Both sides reached several key agreements, laying the foundation for the next phase of collaboration:

• Expanding collaboration formats: Beyond traditional internships, both parties will explore project-based programmes, cultural exchange initiatives, and joint events held in both Vietnam and Singapore.
• Connecting startup ecosystems: SMU and BlockchainWork will actively bridge their two ecosystems – SMU’s business, investor, and partner network in Singapore with BlockchainWork’s blockchain-Web3 community in Vietnam, through each organisation’s events and programmes.
• Developing quality talent for the digital economy: Both organisations view this as a long-term direction, contributing to the sustainable development of digital economy, technology, and blockchain talent across ASEAN.

>>Join: Vietnam Blockchain Community

Vietnam and Singapore – A Natural Bridge for Blockchain Talent

Ranked 4th globally in cryptocurrency adoption by the Chainalysis 2025 Global Crypto Adoption Index, Vietnam is one of the most dynamic blockchain communities in Southeast Asia. Singapore, meanwhile, offers one of the region’s most transparent and robust Web3 regulatory environments, backed by strong capital flows into the innovation and startup ecosystem.

The collaboration between BlockchainWork and Singapore Management University sits at the intersection of these two ecosystems – a meaningful bridge for talent, ideas, and opportunity. This is more than an internship programme; it is a foundation for building a generation of digital economy professionals with a truly ASEAN mindset.

About BlockchainWork

BlockchainWork is Vietnam’s leading blockchain talent community, connecting passionate candidates with pioneering companies in the blockchain and Web3 space. With 20,000+ registered candidates and 300+ hiring companies, BlockchainWork is the dedicated platform for blockchain careers in Vietnam,

Beyond job matching, BlockchainWork publishes industry insights through BlockchainWork Insider, hosts career events, and actively builds the ecosystem that helps blockchain professionals grow and thrive in Vietnam and the wider ASEAN region.

Partner with BlockchainWork: contact@blockchainwork.net
Learn more: blockchainwork.net
Employers – connect with top talent: blockchainwork.net/employer-signup
Candidates – find your next opportunity: blockchainwork.net/candidate-signup

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