Lingnan University signed a partnership agreement with the European Federation of Financial Analysts Societies (EFFAS), a pan-European organisation representing financial analyst societies from over 20 countries.

Under the agreement, the internationally established ESG Essentials programme will be integrated into Lingnan’s relevant undergraduate and postgraduate curricula, making Lingnan the first university in Asia to include this professional ESG programme in its education framework to cultivate interdisciplinary ESG and green finance talents in Hong Kong.

The signing ceremony was officiated by Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost and Lam Man Tsan Chair Professor of Scientific Computing of Lingnan University, Prof Alexander Bassen, Academic Director of EFFAS and Chair of theGreenhouse Gas Protocol Independent Standards Board, and Prof Anthony Cheung, Vice Chairperson and Green Finance Convenor of Friends of the Earth (Hong Kong).

According to the agreement, the ESG Essentials programme will be embedded into Lingnan’s undergraduate and postgraduate courses, allowing students from every background to systematically acquire core knowledge and practical skills in sustainable development. Graduates will also be eligible to pursue EFFAS’s internationally recognised professional certification Certified ESG Essentials.

Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost and Lam Man Tsan Chair Professor of Scientific Computing of Lingnan University said “Lingnan has long been committed to integrating sustainable development and digital education. Through collaboration with multinational institutions, we aim to embed interdisciplinary ESG knowledge across our curricula, equipping students with globally recognised ESG expertise and professional certification, enhancing their universal outlook, and broadening career and further study opportunities. This initiative also strengthens Hong Kong’s role as a regional hub for ESG and green finance talent development.”

Prof Bassen said “As the world progresses towards carbon neutrality and peak emissions, the green jobs market is rapidly expanding. Bringing the ESG Essentials programme to Asia for the first time in partnership with Lingnan aligns perfectly with the University’s whole person education and interdisciplinary approach. We look forward to working with Lingnan to cultivate more green talents with international perspectives across Asia.”

Prof Cheung agreed “We have long promoted the popularisation of ESG education. Over the past two years, our joint Executive Certificate in Sustainable Finance and ESG Analytics with Lingnan has been well received by the industry, reflecting strong demand for quality ESG education. Through this further collaboration, the internationally recognised ESG programme will be built into more programmes, nurturing a new generation of innovative talents capable of addressing future challenges, and contributing to solutions for climate change and social issues.”

To respond to the worldwide trend towards sustainable finance and the growing incorporation of ESG factors into financial decision-making, Lingnan and Friends of the Earth (Hong Kong) launched the first ESG data analytics and green financing course in higher education in the Greater Bay Area, the Executive Certificate in Sustainable Finance & ESG Analytics, in June last year. Designed for executives, this programme features a small-class format, integrates AI and data analytics, and is aligned with the Certified ESG Analyst (CESGA) international certification. To date, it has attracted 300 students.