Hong Kong Baptist University’s innovative curriculum is addressing the ESG talent gap
Hong Kong Baptist University and CFA Institute are collaborating to advance sustainable finance education in Hong Kong through the integration of the Sustainable Investing Certificate curriculum into the University's taught postgraduate programs.
Through this meaningful academic-industry collaboration on career-focused professional development, we are advancing HKBU business education and cultivating impactful, transferable skills for future-ready leaders in the business world.
The evolving responsibilities of educational institutions
The higher education sector is called upon not only to impart academic knowledge but also to respond proactively to evolving industry needs. It is expected that universities will address complex, real-world issues and nurture graduates who can contribute meaningfully to sustainable development. By embedding ESG and sustainable investing into its accredited curriculum rather than relegating it to optional or peripheral activities, HKBU is embracing its responsibility to provide students with job-ready skills.
Several other factors are driving the need to integrate sustainable investing into the curriculum, observes Professor Zhang Han, Dean of the School of Business, HKBU. For instance, regulatory reforms in the Hong Kong market and across the region, such as mandatory adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Sustainability Disclosure Standards and enhanced ESG reporting requirements for listed companies, are creating unprecedented demand for professionals skilled in sustainable finance. At the same time, international investors are accelerating ESG integration, and Hong Kong is swiftly positioning itself as a regional hub for green finance.
He remarks:
"Through strong industry engagement, internships, and close collaboration with professional bodies, we prepare our graduates to meet the evolving needs of financial institutions, advisory firms, and corporates across the region. Our partnership with CFA Institute, a globally recognised authority in finance, positions HKBU as a leader in sustainable finance education."
A willingness to lead the industry forward
HKBU is among the first in the region to offer industry-endorsed, skills-based training at scale. Kevin Liem, CFA, Treasurer of HKBU, points out that CFA Institute was the natural choice for HKBU, given its global reputation for excellence and leadership in sustainable finance education. The proven Sustainable Investing Certificate was also a logical selection, as the qualification is recognised across the industry for its rigorous methodologies, adherence to global best practices, and ongoing industry consultation.
He remarks:
"We identified, through industry engagement, workforce data, and research at HKBU’s Centre for Sustainable Development Studies (CSDS), that the growing ESG talent gap in the Hong Kong market required innovative solutions. The willingness of CFA Institute to pilot a global integration with a university dedicated to strong values, societal mission, and regional relevance made this collaboration a natural progression."
Preparing the next generation of financial professionals
More broadly, integrating the Sustainable Investing Certificate curriculum offers HKBU students globally benchmarked expertise, professional skills and, ultimately, a qualification that employers highly value, continues Kevin Liem. As a credential recognised across major markets – including the Chinese Mainland, the EU, Singapore, and beyond – the certificate empowers graduates to confidently operate in economies adopting International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) standards and robust ESG practices.
He remarks:
"The School of Business at HKBU operates a data-driven, industry-oriented curriculum that draws on labour market analytics and industry advisory inputs, ensuring our graduates are prepared to help organisations meet regulatory requirements and seize opportunities in green finance."
Importantly, curriculum-level integration enables us to align with global industry standards and frameworks, and to employ case- and problem-based learning that bridges theory and practice. In today’s fast-evolving financial world, ESG risks, climate impacts, and sustainable value creation cannot be taught in isolation; they must be integrated with knowledge of finance, accounting, analytics, and strategy.
A structured approach to ESG qualifications
The module is offered by the HKBU School of Business and is part of its Master of Science in Applied Economics and several other Master’s degree programs. Unlike workshops or seminars, which tend to be short-term, less rigorous, and not formally assessed, the Sustainable Investing Certificate curriculum delivers structured training in ethical investing and ESG principles and helps prepare students for success in the certificate's exam. Offering such modules as electives preserves flexibility, allowing HKBU students to align their learning pathways with their own interests and career goals, adds Professor Zhang Han.
Academic credits and certification
Brenda Hou, CFA, Senior Head of Asia-Pacific Global Partnerships and Client Solutions, CFA Institute, concludes by explaining that the partnership marks a significant milestone for CFA Institute – it is the first collaboration of its kind globally, in which the Sustainable Investing Certificate is embedded directly into HKBU’s accredited academic curriculum. This is a powerful step forward in capacity building, raising standards in the investment profession, and increasing student awareness of CFA Institute educational programs.
Student support
The Sustainable Investing 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. Students who elect to complete the module must first enroll with CFA Institute as a candidate for the Sustainable Investing Certificate. Upon completion of the module, they will earn academic credits from HKBU. Those who subsequently pass the public examination for the Sustainable Investing Certificate will receive an additional certificate from CFA Institute.
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