On December 14, 2023, Associate Dean Eva Khong from Faculty of Finance of City University of Macau led a group of 30 doctoral students on an entrepreneurial visit to Hengqin. The first stop for the students was the Entrepreneurship Lounge, where they visited the Hengqin-Macau Youth Entrepreneurship Valley. During the visit, the students gained an understanding of its development history, flagship projects, incubation achievements and innovative incubation system. Among them, they visited one of the flagship projects, NanoTech and received a warm welcome from Lei Zhen, the founder of NanoTech, a nanotechnology company. They learned about core new materials, advanced new materials such as nano silver wires, as well as their industrialization process, patents, inventions, and authorized projects. The staff patiently answered the students' questions. Additionally, the students had the opportunity to try out products such as nano silver disinfectant, deepening their product experience.
The second place was the Hengqin Guangdong-Macao Deep Cooperation Zone Financial Industry Association. Secretary-General Chen Yanling warmly welcomed the group and introduced the association's member organizations in the banking, securities, and insurance industries. She also discussed the outline planning of the Hengqin area by the State Council and the institutional management of innovative finance in Hengqin. Secretary-General Chen highly praised the contributions of the Faculty of Finance at City University of Macau in promoting cross-border financial development between Hengqin and Macao. She expressed a desire to strengthen cooperation and exchange with Faculty of Finance. In response, Associate Dean Eva Khong expressed gratitude and appreciation to Secretary-General Chen and the association for their warm reception. She emphasized that Faculty of Finance places great importance on the integration of industry-academia-research teaching method. Leading students to go beyond the classroom and participate in society is a direction that the Faculty of Finance is actively promoting. As Macao's financial sector values the development of the bond market, Associate Dean Eva Khong expressed great anticipation for further deepening cooperation with the Hengqin Financial Industry Association.
The third place was the Hengqin Institute of Intelligent Finance. As soon as the students stepped into the institute, they could feel the enthusiastic atmosphere. Director Huang welcomed and provided a detailed introduction of institute's establishment process to the students. Hengqin Institute of Intelligent Finance has been dedicated to financial technology innovation and development, making active contributions to the advancement of financial technology in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. During the introduction, the students learned about the institute's organization of and participation in various international forums in recent years, as well as its close collaboration with international financial institutions and technology companies. These forums and collaborations have not only enhanced the institute's international influence but also served as a bridge for international cooperation and exchange in financial technology.
During the visit, the relevant leaders also introduced special research reports published by the institute. These reports showcased the institute's in-depth research and unique insights in the field of financial technology, providing strong support for government decision-making, financial institution innovation and corporate development.
The Faculty of Finance sincerely thanks the arrangements from Hengqin-Macao Youth Entrepreneurship Valley, NanoTech, Hengqin Guangdong-Macao Deep Cooperation Zone Financial Industry Association and the Hengqin Institute of Intelligent Finance. Through this visit to Hengqin, the students experienced the charm of financial technology and its promising future. This visit promoted the integration of industry and academia, achieving mutual benefits and common development between the university and enterprises. It not only deepened the students' understanding and communication with Hengqin, Hengqin enterprises and research institutes but also provided them with valuable practical experience. It is believed that in the future, through further deepening industry-academia-research activities, the Faculty of Finance will make even greater contributions to the development of cross-border finance in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.