Media

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on March 6 with Tencent Finance Academy (Hong Kong) (TFAHK), under Tencent, to promote the development of FinTech in Hong Kong. By combining HKU’s outstanding academic foundation in FinTech with Tencent’s practical experience in the industry, the two parties will join hands in cultivating local FinTech talents and collaborating on FinTech-related research and development initiatives.

The three major areas covered by the MoU are as follows:

• TFAHK will collaborate with HKU to enhance the HKU’s BASc (FinTech) undergraduate programme, which will be rolled out in September 2019, and provide students with activities like workshops, guest lectures, talks and company visits, etc.
• TFAHK will provide a fixed quota of internship opportunities for HKU students for four consecutive academic years, starting from the new semester.
• The FinTech & Blockchain Lab of the Department of Computer Science of HKU will collaborate with TFAHK on joint FinTech-related research and development projects.

HKU will launch a new BASc (FinTech) undergraduate programme in the 2019–20 academic year to nurture talent in different aspects of FinTech, preparing its graduates to conduct research in the field. Established in June 2018, TFAHK aims to cultivate cross-sector talent in the field of finance and technology while meeting the development needs of the financial industry.

Professor Christopher Chao, Dean of Engineering of HKU, said: “FinTech has become a global development trend. Our new degree programme in FinTech in the new academic year will equip students with knowledge in this area. We are delighted that our Department of Computer Science had joint hands with Tencent in education and research areas. With the integration and sharing of knowledge and resource, it will definitely help our students in developing cross-industry knowledge and skills in FinTech. All these will foster the development of FinTech in Hong Kong.”

Jim Lai, Vice President of Tencent, President of Financial Technology Group and Dean of Tencent Finance Academy, said: “Since its establishment, Tencent Finance Academy (Hong Kong) has strived to promote cross-industry development in the internet and finance industries, and to nurture innovative talent for FinTech in Hong Kong. We are pleased to work closely with The University of Hong Kong, the city’s prominent tertiary institution, in identifying and cultivating students who are interested in advancing their skills and knowledge in the field of FinTech. Through relevant training, internship opportunities, and a series of research projects, we will work together with HKU to promote FinTech development in Hong Kong. Looking ahead, we will actively cooperate with different universities, financial experts and enterprises to exchange ideas and launch new projects, with a view to advancing FinTech knowledge as well as developing more industry elites.”

Through collaboration, the two parties will complement each other in kick-starting the theme of today’s ceremony: "Connecting Great Minds for FinTech Excellence". The collaboration aims to help the youth in the Greater Bay Area who are committed to embarking on a career in FinTech, and to equip them with related knowledge and skills.

Media Contact:
Department of Computer Science
University of Hong Kong
Tel: 2859 2180
Email: enquiry@cs.hku.hk