Since 2004, Citibank has equipped university students in Hong Kong with insights and soft skills required in modern banking and finance. It has done so with its Citibank University Banking Course in tandem with a local university.
The course, which previously only accepted students from business-related faculties, is now open to selected second-year students from all faculties at Chinese University. Citibank launched the course with the university in 2007.
The bank and university selected 50 students to attend the course this year. The students went through a rigorous selection process which included written tests and group interviews.
Integrating structured classroom lectures with interactive discussions with senior and experienced bankers from Citibank, the course aims to enhance students' understanding of real-life banking business, according to Kathy Cheung Haw-mun, country corporate affairs director at Citi Hong Kong.
Running from last October to next March, the banking course consists of more than 26 hours of lectures in which participating bankers speak on a comprehensive range of specialist areas. They include: consumer and investment banking; treasury cycle; risk management; credit card business; consumer finance; and compliance and control.
Apart from finance-related professional knowledge, the bankers shared their insights about the essential skills in the workplace, Ms Cheung said.
Other course components include a visit to a branch of Citibank, and mid-term and final presentations. Professors at the university and a special Citibank taskforce will evaluate the performance of students based on their attendance, enthusiasm and the quality of their presentations. Four students with top scores will receive the Outstanding Achievement Award.