Department of Economics and Finance Driving Digital Transformation and Sustainable Impact

The Department of Economics and Finance has embraced the ethos of digital humanities into its teaching, moving beyond conventional finance and economics to embrace the digital age. Professor Rita LI Yi-man, Head of Department, highlighted that its programmes embed financial technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and data science, while maintaining a firm commitment to ethics and social responsibility.

Professor LI emphasised the Department’s dedication to enhancing HKSYU’s global reach and academic influence through international research collaborations, cross disciplinary projects, and globally recognised publications, while building strong bridges with industry partners. She expressed her hope that Shue Yan will continue to shine brightly, inspiring generations of compassionate leaders and innovative thinkers.

Supporting the University’s Strategic Development

The Master of Science in Financial Technology Management and the Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in Financial Technology equip students with technical expertise in AI, blockchain, and big data, alongside a deep engagement with ethics and sustainability. The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Economics and Finance has likewise embedded information technology across its core modules. Through these curricular changes, the Department equips students to meet the demands of a complex, data driven global market with analytical skills and a moral compass.

Equally important is the Department’s commitment to bridging the divide between academic research and practical solutions. The Sustainable Real Estate Research Centre addresses challenges in the sustainable built environment through applied AI, while the Business, Economic and Public Policy Research Centre complements this work by organising research initiatives and industry focused events.

Empirical findings are distilled into actionable policy recommendations and industry guidance, which are then communicated through international conferences, interactive workshops, and consultancy for corporations and social enterprises. These platforms serve as key channels for delivering economic analyses and data driven models directly to industry stakeholders.

Distinctive Features of the Academic Team

The Department’s scholars specialise in financial technology, econometrics, AI, real estate, and sustainable development. Research team has secured competitive grants, published widely in international journals, and collaborated with local and global institutions. Faculty also supervise undergraduate and postgraduate research, nurturing independent inquiry, while administrative colleagues support programme delivery, industry seminars, and guest lectures.

The BA (Honours) in Economics and Finance offers dual academic and professional recognition. Students may receive exemptions from the licensing examinations of the Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute (HKSI) and the Certified Banker Programme of the Hong Kong Institute of Bankers (HKIB). The programme is also recognized by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), and students are eligible to apply for a CFA Level I examination scholarship. The BCom (Honours) in Financial Technology, funded by SSSDP and admitting students via JUPAS, aligns with HKIB’s Enhanced Competency Framework – FinTech, offering the most extensive module exemptions among all local bachelor’s degree programmes. Graduates are also eligible for HKSI examination exemptions.

At the postgraduate level, the MSc in Financial Technology Management cultivates a global learning environment enriched by students from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. Unique in its emphasis on the management dimension of FinTech, the programme combines technical capabilities in AI, blockchain, and big data with ethics and sustainability. Every course aligns with at least one Sustainable Development Goal, ensuring graduates apply FinTech responsibly in a global context. For those pursuing academic careers, the Department also offers MPhil and PhD pathways.