HKBU and CFA Institute Establish First-of-its-Kind Global Academic-Industry Collaboration to Advance Sustainable Finance Education and Nurture ESG Professionals
Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) and CFA Institute have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly promote the development of sustainable finance education in the higher learning in Hong Kong. Starting January 2026, the School of Business at HKBU will integrate the curriculum of the Sustainable Investing Certificate offered by CFA Institute directly into its taught postgraduate studies. This first-of-its-kind global academic-industry collaborated Initiative aims to equip financial professionals with expertise in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing.
The MoU was signed by Professor Zhang Han, Dean of the School of Business at HKBU, and Ms. Brenda Hou, CFA, Senior Head of Asia-Pacific Global Partnerships and Client Solutions at CFA Institute.
Professor Zhang Han stated, “Through this meaningful academic-industry collaboration on career-focused professional development, we are advancing HKBU business education and cultivating impactful and transferable skills for future-ready leaders of the business world. This partnership creates an unprecedented opportunity for our taught postgraduate students to become sustainable finance professionals in Asia for the world.”
Ms. Brenda Hou indicated, “This partnership marks a significant milestone for CFA Institute — it is our first collaboration of its kind globally where our Sustainable Investing Certificate is embedded directly into HKBU’s accredited academic curriculum. By working with HKBU, we are equipping the next generation of finance professionals with a globally recognized certificate in sustainability. This is a powerful step forward in building capacity and raising standards in the investment profession.”
In this unparalleled collaboration, HKBU and CFA Institute endeavor to drive breakthroughs, aiming to expand the talent pipeline of sustainability-focused finance professionals in the region and beyond. This partnership seeks to effectively equip the future-ready business professionals with in-demand skill sets throughout the markets.
CFA Institute Sustainable Investing Certificate is designed to equip finance professionals, analysts, and students with expertise in ESG investing. The Certificate curriculum will be integrated into HKBU’s taught postgraduate studies as an elective module in sustainable finance. Students who completed the module will earn academic credits from HKBU. Those who pass the public examination for the Sustainable Investing Certificate will receive an additional certificate from CFA Institute. The Certificate is funded by the Pilot Green and Sustainable Finance Capacity Building Support Scheme launched by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Full-time students can apply for reimbursement with their certificates.
About CFA Institute
As the global association of investment professionals, CFA Institute sets the standards for professional excellence and credentials. We champion ethical behavior in investment markets and serve as the leading source of learning and research for the investment industry. We believe in fostering an environment where investors’ interests come first, markets function at their best, and economies grow. With more than 200,000 charterholders worldwide across more than 160 markets, CFA Institute has 9 offices and 158 local societies. Find us at www.cfainstitute.org or follow us on LinkedIn.
About Hong Kong Baptist University School of Business
As one of Asia’s finest institutions of higher education, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) is committed to nurturing future-shaping talents, providing them with a broad-based, transdisciplinary and creative education, as well as offering a diverse range of programmes spanning the arts, business, Chinese medicine, communication, social sciences, science, technology and sport. To tap into the strengths of the University, HKBU has established four overarching research clusters in key areas of excellence that cover Creative Media and Practice, Health and Drug Discovery, Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, and Humanities and Cultures, translating its research excellence into tangible benefits, with positive impact for the community and the development of Hong Kong, the nation, the region and the world.