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To step up efforts in cultivating a talent for Financial Technology (FinTech) in local students and to strengthen the links in corporate partnership, the Faculty of Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and DBS Hong Kong have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for an inaugural Master of Science in Financial Technology programme (MSc FinTech), offering training to skilled students.

The MOU was signed by Professor Martin D. F. Wong, Dean of Engineering, CUHK, and Ms. Brit Blakeney, Head of Innovation & Ecosystems, DBS Hong Kong. It is a collaboration of the business and academic sectors to further foster digital innovation and academic strength, exploring more possibilities for the application of digital innovations. Under the MOU, MSc FinTech students will gain first-hand experience in FinTech-related projects, including the digital customer journey, API applications, big data analytics, blockchain, artificial intelligence, machine learning and sustainability, as well as internship opportunities. In addition, students will get to know the industry from the fruitful work experience of DBS Hong Kong mentors and the knowledge they will pass on.

Professor Martin Wong remarked, “It is an honour for us to collaborate with DBS Hong Kong on internship, industrial projects and job placements for our MSc FinTech students. FinTech has undeniable importance and ground-breaking effects in reshaping the landscape of the financial sector. There is no better way for our students to learn from experts and to gain hands-on experience from the industry and in-depth understanding of FinTech topics. Our MSc FinTech programme, launched this year, is committed to bringing out technologically adept and business savvy talent, people who can offer innovative solutions to finance-related industries. This collaboration is beneficial to both sides as we firmly believe that extending and strengthening academic and corporate relationships is crucial to the development of financial technologists. What our students learn in class will complement perfectly the handling of real-life projects and challenges proposed by the industrial practitioners”.

Ms. Brit Blakeney remarked, “Banks can no longer work in silos and can only be successful by materially transforming the way they work and by collaborating with FinTechs. While DBS has always been the pioneer in nurturing startups and helping them grow, by working more closely with CUHK, the first and leading university offering a MSc FinTech programme, this further demonstrates our strong commitment to cultivating the next generation of talents in Hong Kong. We are all very excited to see how these extremely talented students will transform and innovate the industry.”

About DBS

DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 18 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is on the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank’s “AA-” and “Aa1” credit ratings are among the highest in the world. 

Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney, “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker and “Best Bank in the World” by Global Finance. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia” award by Global Finance for 11 consecutive years from 2009 to 2019.

About Faculty of Engineering, CUHK

A pioneer in financial technology education in Hong Kong, the Faculty launched the first FinTech undergraduate programme in 2017/18 academic year, and then a new Master of Science in FinTech programme in 2019/20 academic year. The programmes aim to cultivate a new generation of financial technologists and equip them with essential industry experience and professional skills. Both programmes receive full support from the banking industry as well as financial regulatory bodies.