Press Release
22 Jun 2026
Three-year Partnership Extension to advance FinTech Talent Development and Research
The University of Hong Kong and Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited today announced the extension and strengthening of the “The University of Hong Kong – Standard Chartered Hong Kong 150th Anniversary Community Foundation FinTech Academy (HKU-SCF FinTech Academy)” collaboration for three years. The initiative will focus on training fintech talent, funding cutting-edge academic research, teaching information technology knowledge in financial services, and enhancing exchanges between academia and the industry. These efforts aim to drive the sustainable development of Hong Kong’s financial ecosystem and reinforce the city’s competitiveness as an international financial center. The enhanced HKU-SCF FinTech Academy will be led by HKU’s Faculty of Business and Economics, with strong support from the Faculty of Law and the School of Computer Data Science, aligning with the increasingly interdisciplinary and diversified application trends in fintech development.
Since its establishment in May 2020, the Academy has reached a significant five-year milestone, achieving fruitful results in fintech research, talent cultivation, and industry advancement. It has launched Hong Kong’s first full-tuition scholarship for a bachelor’s degree in fintech, as well as postgraduate scholarships for master’s programs. A total of 62 undergraduate and postgraduate students have been awarded scholarships, encouraging outstanding academic performance among fintech students. In addition, the Academy has funded 49 cutting-edge fintech research projects across diverse areas, including blockchain technology, big data analytics, digital finance, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), cryptocurrency security, and inclusive finance. These research outcomes have received multiple international academic awards and citations and have been further translated into policy-relevant and practically impactful recommendations, supporting Hong Kong’s innovation-driven financial empowerment and economic development.
Professor Xiang Zhang, President of the University of Hong Kong stated: “The world is rapidly entering a new era of digital finance, and the demand for talent with interdisciplinary knowledge in computer science, business analytics, and regulatory technology has never been greater. Over the past five years, with the strong support of the Standard Chartered Hong Kong 150th Anniversary Community Foundation, HKU has united academia and industry to foster collaboration, promote innovation, and achieve remarkable results. HKU will continue to uphold its mission of nurturing world-class talent and driving innovative research, taking
on the responsibility of leading fintech development and contributing to Hong Kong’s fintech growth.”
Ms. Mary Huen, CEO, Hong Kong and Greater China & North Asia, as well as Trustee, Standard Chartered Hong Kong 150th Anniversary Community Foundation added: “Talent is crucial for Hong Kong to become a robust, resilient, and forward-looking international fintech hub. Five years ago, we anticipated a talent gap in Hong Kong’s fintech sector and partnered with HKU to establish the FinTech Academy. Today, more than 1,100 fintech professionals have graduated from programs supported by the Academy. We look forward to the Academy continuing to nurture more interdisciplinary talent, focusing on innovative fintech research, promoting academic-industry exchange, and injecting momentum into Hong Kong’s fintech development.”
Professor Chen Lin, Director of HKU-SCF FinTech Academy, remarked that the Academy will adopt a multi-pronged approach — including academic research, industry engagement, and training activities — to advance talent development and research, benefiting tens of thousands of individuals in Hong Kong and beyond who are interested in fintech. Looking ahead, the Academy will continue to expand in several key areas:
· Nurturing globally minded, industry ready talent: Expanding the Web3 Global Elite Program and launching a new FinTech Executive Education Programme for corporate leaders, aimed at deepening their understanding of technological trends in the digital era. The goal is to help industry practitioners, researchers, and entrepreneurs in the Web3 ecosystem build global strategic perspectives and broaden professional networks.
· Deepening industry collaboration to drive innovation and real-world adoption: Actively promoting technological innovation and industry applications through initiatives such as the annual Hong Kong Crypto Finance Forum, the Global Environmental Change and Sustainable Development Workshop, and the HKU Web 3.0 Quantitative Trading Challenge, to develop more fintech-focused business solutions.
· Driving high-impact research for the future of fintech: Engaging in policy discussions, research reports, and consultations, while maintaining ongoing dialogue with regulators and industry organizations to advance policy-relevant fintech research. The Academy is also undertaking major projects including tokenized gold, Web3 and digital finance, and stablecoin evaluation studies, bridging research outcomes with practical applications and policymaking, and providing an evidence-based foundation for the long-term development of Hong Kong’s fintech ecosystem.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms Ada Cheuk, HKU-SCF FinTech Academy (tel: 3917 4664, email: lmcheuk@hku.hk)
The University of Hong Kong- Standard Chartered Hong Kong 150th Anniversary Community Foundation FinTech Academy (HKU–SCF FinTech Academy)
Established in April 2020, the Academy aims to nurture world-class talent and conduct innovative academic research. By leading the continuous development of fintech, it further strengthens Hong Kong’s position as an international financial center. For more information about the HKU–SCF FinTech Academy, please refer to this website: https://fintechacademy.hkubs.hku.hk/
About Standard Chartered
We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 54 of the world’s most dynamic markets. 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.
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.
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About Standard Chartered Hong Kong 150th Anniversary Community Foundation
The Standard Chartered Hong Kong 150th Anniversary Community Foundation was established in 2009. In September 2009, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited (“the Bank”) issued the Standard Chartered Hong Kong 150th 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 150th Anniversary Community Foundation”, in support of the local community and charities.
About HKU Business School
The HKU Business School is a leading business school rooted in Asia with a global outlook. The faculty is committed to cultivating top-tier business leaders and advancing both academic and applied research, addressing the market needs of Hong Kong, Mainland China, and beyond in a rapidly changing global economy.
It has the highest proportion of non-local undergraduate students, and in 2021, four of its bachelor’s degree programs were ranked among the university’s top ten courses. The full-time MBA program has been ranked No. 1 in Asia for the tenth time, and for five consecutive
years has been recognized as the No. 1 MBA program in Hong Kong in the QS Global MBA Rankings.
The faculty also collaborates with leading educational institutions in China and internationally to provide high-quality business and economics education.
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.
