Media

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited are proud to jointly announce the establishment of The University of Hong Kong – Standard Chartered Hong Kong 150^th Anniversary Community Foundation FinTech Academy (HKU-SCF FinTech Academy) with a generous support of HK$60 million from the Standard Chartered Hong Kong 150^th Anniversary Community Foundation (SCF).

Leveraging the combined strength of academics and industry to enhance and expand the way FinTech is taught, researched, and innovated, the HKU-SCF FinTech Academy is hosted by the Department of Computer Science of the Faculty of Engineering and strongly supported by the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Business and Economics. It aims to stimulate cutting-edge research and teaching of information technology in financial services, and make a sustainable impact on the financial services sectors of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

The HKU-SCF FinTech Academy will nurture talents through the recently launched Bachelor’s degree in Financial Technology [(BASc (FinTech)] and a brand-new interdisciplinary Master’s degree in Financial Technology in 2021. This will increase the annual intake to meet the dual demands of students and industry. In the next five years, the HKU-SCF FinTech Academy will gear up nearly a thousand FinTech professionals to tackle disruptive technologies, creating a tangible and lasting impact on the banking and financial industry. The partnership and funding provided through the HKU-SCF FinTech Academy will strongly facilitate HKU’s research in FinTech.

“The fast pace of change in FinTech has been impacting not just the business model of banks, but also the talents required for realising the Smart Banking ambitions for Hong Kong. Standard Chartered is proud to steer the co-creation of the FinTech Academy between HKU and SCF to cultivate future-fit talents and upskill bankers with disruptive technologies to capture the immense opportunities. We feel very excited about this pioneering partnership with HKU that will transform Hong Kong’s banking industry and the wider financial ecosystem ahead of the FinTech era.” Ms Mary Huen, CEO, Hong Kong, Standard Chartered; and Trustee, Standard Chartered Hong Kong 150^th Anniversary Community Foundation.

“With the continuous advancement of technology, the financial industry is evolving dynamically and the next wave of disruption is coming. HKU has first-class FinTech research teams across the Faculties of Engineering, Law, and Business and Economics, working synergistically in various areas including blockchain, cybersecurity, regulatory technology, AI and big data analytics. The HKU-SCF FinTech Academy will be a centre of innovation for nurturing talents to shape the FinTech industry across the region and strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a leading financial centre.” Professor Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor, The University of Hong Kong.

“The Department of Computer Science at HKU Engineering has pioneered various research projects in FinTech related areas. The HKU-SCF FinTech Academy provides a platform for us to consolidate and develop new R&D projects, which has gained the support from the Research Matching Grant Scheme of the Government as well as from the industry and will create more opportunities, including scholarships and internships, for students. We look forward to working with SCF on this venture.” Professor Christopher Chao, Dean of HKU Engineering.

The HKU-SCF FinTech Academy will adopt a multi-faceted approach including Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC), encompassing talent development and research through a wide range of academic, industry and community engagement activities, and targeting to benefit hundreds of thousands of people, local or worldwide, interested in FinTech.

Click here for an introductory video for the HKU-SCF FinTech Academy.

For media enquiries, please contact:
- Professor SM Yiu, Deputy Director, HKU-SCF FinTech Academy (tel: 2857 8242, email: smyiu@cs.hku.hk)
- Ms Polo Leung, Assistant Director, HKU’s Development & Alumni Affairs Office (tel: 3917 1732, email: pololeung@hku,hk)
- Ms Nicole Lo, Director, Corporate Affairs, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited (tel: 2820 3843, email: nicole.lo@sc.com)

About Standard Chartered
We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 59 of the world’s most dynamic markets, and serving clients in a further 85. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, Here for good.

Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges as well as the Bombay and National Stock Exchanges in India.

The history of Standard Chartered in Hong Kong dates back to 1859. It is currently one of the Hong Kong SAR’s three note-issuing banks. Standard Chartered incorporated its Hong Kong business on 1 July 2004, and now operates as a licensed bank in Hong Kong under the name of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Standard Chartered PLC.

For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

About Standard Chartered Hong Kong 150^th Anniversary Community Foundation
The Standard Chartered Hong Kong 150^th Anniversary Community Foundation was established in 2009. In September 2009, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited (“the Bank”) issued the Standard Chartered Hong Kong 150^th Anniversary Commemorative Charity Banknote (“Commemorative Charity Banknote”) – the first-in-world banknote in $150 denomination - to celebrate the Bank’s 150 years of commitment in Hong Kong. It is the intention of the Bank to dedicate the Commemorative Charity Banknote to all people the Bank has worked alongside with and contributed to the development of Hong Kong. Net sales proceeds had been donated to the “Standard Chartered Hong Kong 150^th Anniversary Community Foundation”, in support of the local community and charities.

About HKU Engineering
The Faculty of Engineering is one of the founding Faculties of The University of Hong Kong established in 1912. Since its foundation, the Faculty has kept pace with developments in the engineering world and is always at the forefront of engineering research, evolving into one of the largest Faculties at the University with five departments providing undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees in a wide range of important fields of modern engineering, technology and computer science.

The Faculty aims at providing an all-round education for students, equipping graduates not only with knowledge of cutting-edge technology, but also excellent communication and social skills, an innovation mindset, a lifelong learning attitude, professional integrity and international exposure.

About HKU
Founded in 1911, The University of Hong Kong is committed to the highest international standards of excellence in teaching and research, and has been at the international forefront of academic scholarship for many years. The University has a comprehensive range of study programmes and research disciplines spread across 10 faculties and over 140 academic departments and institutes/centres. There are around 29,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students who are recruited globally, and more than 2,500 members of academic and academic-related staff coming from multi-cultural backgrounds, many of whom are internationally renowned.

HKU-SCF FinTech Academy
Programme Details