Fintech the focus for PolyU doctorate
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If Hong Kong is to retain its position as a global financial centre, it is essential for senior executives, who will help to shape the future, to have an in-depth understanding of the full scope and possibilities offered by the digital world.
For that reason, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) introduced a pioneering Doctor of FinTech (DFinTech) programme in 2019, combining taught courses and a research thesis, to ensure students can keep pace with all the latest developments and apply key lessons to improve the operational efficiency and competitiveness of their respective organisations.
“A few years ago, we realised the wave of digital transformation was going to disrupt the whole finance sector and sensed Hong Kong was falling behind,” says Professor Wilson Tong, programme director of the three-year, part-time DFinTech. “There was a clear need for more senior-level research and training to ensure the city was well prepared for the changes ahead.”
When initially planning the basic structure and content, PolyU’s highly regarded DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) served as a model. Therefore, students begin by taking a range of credit-bearing core courses and electives, either online or in class, before finalising their thesis proposal and then focusing on research and writing in the second half of the programme.