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HKU Business School and the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association, a global leader in alternative investment education, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), one that underscores HKU Business School's unwavering commitment to equipping its students with the most relevant, cutting-edge knowledge and skills demanded by the evolving global financial landscape.

As the investing world rapidly changes and transforms, new alternative investments in private equity, hedge funds, and digital assets play an increasingly critical role. The academic partnership with CAIA Association is specifically designed to provide an unparalleled environment for HKU Business School students' personal and professional growth.

Through this partnership, students will gain direct access to CAIA Association's rigorous curriculum and resources. Additionally, new scholarships will be available for deserving students, helping them attain the prestigious CAIA Charter. This training offers a significant competitive advantage for students entering the job market. Furthermore, access to CAIA Association events will connect students with industry practitioners and thought leaders, fostering invaluable professional relationships within the alternative investment industry.

To launch the partnership, representatives from both organisations convened at HKU iCube in Central, Hong Kong. Following the MoU signing ceremony, a panel session was held on the topic, Future Trends and Opportunities of Alternative Investments.

“Partnership with HKU Business School reinforces our commitment to building a deep bench of talent across the APAC region, where demand for alternative investment expertise is growing rapidly,” said Mr. Nick Pollard, Managing Director, APAC, CAIA Association. “The CAIA Charter is not just a credential. It’s a globally recognised standard of professionalism in alternatives. By aligning with leading academic institutions, we are helping students gain not only technical knowledge, but also the ethical foundation required to thrive in a complex and rapidly shifting investment landscape,” Mr. Pollard added.

Prof. Derek Chan, Associate Dean at HKU Business School, said, "Today marks a pivotal milestone. This partnership with CAIA Association, a global leader in alternative investment education, is a strategic alignment of vision and values. It underscores our unwavering commitment at HKU Business School to equip our students with the most relevant, cutting-edge knowledge and skills demanded by the fast-evolving financial landscape.” Then, speaking on the sponsorship opportunities, he added that this would “make earning the CAIA Charter more accessible. By lowering these barriers, we empower our students to distinguish themselves in a competitive industry through enhanced expertise and credentials.”

Hi-res photos are available here.

For media enquiries, please contact:

HKU Business School
Viva LIU
Manager
Communications and Public Relations
Tel: +852 3910 3307
Email: changlbs@hku.hk

Ran ELFASSY
Manager
Communications and Public Relations
Tel: +852 3917 0714
Email: relfassy@hku.hk

CAIA Association
Megan AU
Associate Director of Marketing,
Academic Partnerships and Chapter Relations, Asia Pacific
mau@caia.org

About HKU Business School
Established in 2001, HKU Business School is one of the youngest and most dynamic members of The University of Hong Kong (HKU). The School strives to nurture first-class business leaders and foster academic and relevant research that serves the needs of Hong Kong, China and the rest of the world in the new Asia-led economy. As a top international business school, the School has established its place as a globally impactful institution that leads the way through timely thought leadership, pioneering research, and educational excellence. Deeply rooted in Hong Kong and fully engaged with China, the School’s world-class faculty equip students with global knowledge and perspectives.

HKU Business School offers business education across a full range of disciplines, while achieving remarkable growth in faculty strength and research capabilities. The School ranks world’s 13th and Asia’s No.1 in Financial Times’ Aggregated Research Ranking in 2024; Asia’s No.1 in UTD Research Rankings from 2020 to 2024; its full-time MBA has been ranked Asia’s no. 1 in the World MBA Rankings released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) for the 10th time, and Hong Kong’s no.1 in the QS Global MBA Rankings for 5 consecutive years. The School has strategic partnerships with world-renowned universities and corporate partners, providing market-oriented content, superior learning, and instrumental resources.

To better serve our students and alumni in various cities and regions, and to facilitate collaboration opportunities with business communities around the globe, HKU Business School has established a unique international network that extends to Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ho Chi Minh City, and Tel Aviv.

HKU Business School is fully accredited by the European Quality Improvement Systems (EQUIS) and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Visit us at https://www.hkubs.hku.hk/

About CAIA Association
CAIA Association is a global network of forward-thinking investment professionals, redefining the future of capital allocation in a world where traditional and alternative converge. United by a commitment to improving investment outcomes, we lead with authority, educate to inspire, and connect people who turn insight into action. To learn more about the CAIA Association and how to become part of the most energized professional network shaping the future of investing, please visit us at https://caia.org/.