Many veterans in the finance industry will tell you that what you learn at school bears little, if any, resemblance to what you face at work. To bridge the gap between textbook studies and real-life work in finance, the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and Citibank collaborated to produce a course for students of the business and economics faculty.
Entering its eighth year, the HKU-Citibank University Banking Course for 2011-2012 is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of modern banking operations and practices.
Although the programme does not offer stipends or allowances as do other scholarships, it enables a select group of students to attend lectures and interact with experienced bankers outside their normal academic load.
Following a stringent selection process, comprising a written test and group interview, 44 second-year HKU students have been admitted to the course. Citibank is very serious about the programme's quality, according to Kathy Cheung, country corporate affairs director at the bank. For instance, some of the modules are taught by Citibank directors.
'Citibankers, working as a team, are committed to improving the financial capabilities of individuals through sharing their knowledge and experiences,' says Cheung. 'Through the course, we hope to nurture future leaders in Hong Kong.'
The course runs from January to April and consists of 30 hours of classroom lectures given by Citibankers, a visit to a Citibank branch, a mid-term test, and a presentation. The course includes modules in risk management, wealth management and insurance.
'Every module is taught by seasoned bankers from Citibank. Students gain insights and essential skills required in today's real banking world,' says Cheung.