With the start of the 2023/2024 academic year, the Faculty of Finance welcomed the new students of the 2023 cohort of the Applied Economics Elite Class. To assist them in adapting to university life and experiencing the unique teaching features of the Elite Class, the Faculty of Finance organized the first gathering for the 2023 cohort, called "Finance Elite Time," on the afternoon of October 25th. The event was attended by Dean Adrian Cheung, Associate Dean Eva Khong, Director of the Ph.D. Program Zhou Yonghong, Director of the Master's Program Yang Ting, Director of the Undergraduate Program Lin Deqin, along with other faculty members of the Faculty of Finance and the students of the Elite Class.
In his speech, Dean Cheung expressed that this was the first Elite Time gathering of the academic year and welcomed the students to join the family of the Faculty of Finance. He introduced the purpose of the event, which was to build a bridge of communication between the Elite Class students and the faculty members. Each student will be assigned a mentor from the faculty who will provide support and encouragement throughout their four years of university. Dean Cheung then introduced each member of the faculty, allowing the students to become more familiar with their research interests and administrative responsibilities.
Vice Dean Khong stated that the Finance Elite Class focuses on developing students' English proficiency and cross-cultural communication skills, broadening their international perspectives, and enabling them to understand the differences in financial systems and the institutional and cultural diversity of the financial business environment. She warmly welcomed the new students into the Elite Class and encouraged them to seize the opportunities provided by the university and the faculty, such as visits, workshops, and exchanges, to strengthen their practical skills through experiential learning.
Professor Zhou Yonghong pointed out that the Ph.D. program requires research and thesis writing skills, and the undergraduate program includes related skill development. He mentioned that students are welcome to consult him if they have any questions regarding their studies, research, or future career plans. Dr. Yang Ting advised the students to persevere and work hard in the face of challenges they may encounter during their learning journey. He wished them to enjoy the four years of undergraduate education and recommended considering the Master's program offered by the faculty after completing their undergraduate studies. Dr. Lin Deqin introduced the features of the Finance Elite Class mentorship program and how it assists students in various aspects. The new students were assigned to mentors, allowing them to receive correct and effective guidance early on, facilitating their adjustment to the fully English-taught mode of instruction and the exchange activities in the future.
Subsequently, all the students engaged in group discussions and exchanges with their respective mentors in English, promoting communication between the first-year Elite Class students and the faculty members. The faculty also prepared refreshments for further interaction and enjoyment of the harmonious gathering. The event was attended by Associate Professors Wang Yinggui, Lou Shiyan, and Assistant Professors Liu Lu, Xue Lifei, Yu Bo, Li Di, Jiang Yu, Zhang Yan, and Lecturers Sou Chengwai, and Liang Yunjie from the Faculty of Finance.