The University of Hong Kong – Standard Chartered Hong Kong 150th Anniversary Community Foundation (HKU-SCF) FinTech Academy announced the first-ever full scholarships in FinTech to local undergraduate students based on academic merit in the upcoming academic year (2020-21).
Starting from the next academic year, HKU will offer up to eight undergraduate scholarships annually, each at the value of HK$50,000, including two full scholarships of up to HK$200,000 for the Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Financial Technology [BASc(FinTech)].
For postgraduate students who plan to study Master of Science in Financial Technology and Data Analytics[MSc(FTDA)] in 2021, and Master of Science in Computer Science (Financial Computing Stream) [MSc(CompSc) Financial Computing Stream] in 2020, the number of entrance scholarships will be up to five annually, each at the value of HK$60,000.
The Dean of HKU Engineering stated that FinTech is a fast-growing industry which is hungering for talents with sound interdisciplinary knowledge. HKU’s FinTech programmes rightly cater to the needs of the industry and will nurture talents with knowledge in the areas of computer science, business and regulatory technology, etc.
The scholarships help attract elite students who will be supporting the future development of FinTech in Hong Kong and other parts of the world.
These brand-new scholarships in FinTech are one of the initiatives of the HKU-SCF FinTech Academy established in April this year with a HK$60M support from the Standard Chartered Hong Kong 150th Anniversary Community Foundation.
About BASc(FinTech)
The programme combines subjects on computing, finance, and policies and regulations to give students a thorough grounding in the FinTech discipline. Besides discipline focus courses, students are also required to take 3 cross-disciplinary courses which focus on leadership training, the foundation of knowledge and data analysis. Moreover, there will be internship opportunities for students to put theory into practice.
About MSc(FTDA)
The programme is to prepare students for a career in the ever-changing world of FinTech. Through the courses, students will gain essential knowledge and FinTech skills necessary for navigating the changing landscape of the finance industry. Besides a strong understanding of financial and technology, students will also have a well-balanced critical awareness of ethical and regulatory constraints and knowledge of the hottest industry trends.
About MSc(CompSc) Financial Computing Stream
The programme focuses on the study of data and algorithms used in finance and the mathematics of computer programmes that realize financial models or systems. Financial Computing emphasizes practical numerical methods and focuses on techniques that are directly applicable to business and financial analysis in the computing aspect of the financial industry.
About the HKU-SCF FinTech Academy
Established in April 2020, the University of Hong Kong – Standard Chartered Hong Kong 150th Anniversary Community Foundation FinTech Academy (the HKU-SCF FinTech Academy) aims to make a sustainable impact in FinTech by grooming world-class talents and leading innovative research to further strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international financial centre.
Through a commitment of HK$60 million from the Standard Chartered Hong Kong 150th Anniversary Community Foundation, the HKU-SCF FinTech Academy is steered by Faculty of Engineering, with support from Faculty of Law as well as Faculty of Business & Economics of The University of Hong Kong.