CAIA China becomes the organization’s 20th Global Chapter, with strong initial presence in both Beijing and Shanghai
AMHERST, MASS./SHANGHAI, CHINA (January 27, 2015) – The Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association, a not-for-profit organization recognized globally as the leader in alternative investment education, has launched a new chapter in China, it was announced today. Initially based in Beijing and Shanghai, CAIA China will serve CAIA members and candidates in the regions by providing a platform to share knowledge and promote education in alternative investment strategies, as well as by building awareness of the CAIA designation among China’s investment community.
“CAIA’s core mission is to meet the growing need for alternative investment education around the world, and one of the fastest growing and most influential markets for alternatives today can be found in China,” said William J. Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of CAIA. “We are extremely proud to launch CAIA China, our 20th global chapter, which will offer our members and candidates exceptional educational and networking opportunities in the months and years to come.”
The launch of CAIA China was marked by events in Beijing and Shanghai on January 26th and January 27th, respectively, with remarks from Mr. Kelly and Jo Murphy, Managing Director, Asia Pacific for the CAIA
Association. Both events also featured a presentation from Keith Black, Ph. D., CAIA, CFA and Managing Director, Curriculum and Exams for the CAIA Association on “Harvard, Yale, and Alternative Investments: A Post-Crisis View.”
“The CAIA designation is recognized globally as a critical differentiator in the industry,” said Ms. Murphy. “With the recent and future planned regulatory changes implemented to develop the alternative investment environment in China, CAIA is uniquely positioned to meet the increased demand for a deeper level of education in and understanding of alternative investments.”
The CAIA Association offers the only educational pro¬gram designed for individuals specializing in institutional-quality alternative investments. The CAIA Charter, which is granted upon successful completion of two levels of qualifying exams combined with relevant professional experience, is the global benchmark for alternative investment education.
Currently nearly 100 professionals have earned the CAIA charter in China. The mission of CAIA China is to foster a deeper understanding and knowledge of alternatives strategies through informative educational events and to create relevant networking programs that will appeal to all members and candidates in the growing alterna¬tive investment industry. CAIA China’s inaugural Executive Committee is comprised of senior industry member volunteers and will champion local efforts.
"The launch of CAIA's inaugural chapters in China occurs at an opportune time. China’s alternatives industry continues to grow quickly, benefiting from a proliferation of strategies and the impending launch of new investment instruments,” said Marko Schaffrick, CAIA Head of Portfolio Management, Ping An Russell Investment Management, and a CAIA China Chapter Executive.
"With the launch of the CAIA China Chapter, CAIA is expanding its reach across China,” said Xiang Gao, CAIA, assistant professor at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and a CAIA China Chapter Executive. “Our aim is to set the highest standards for graduate-level education in alternatives strategies, and to establish a system of cultivating talent for China's rapidly developing alternatives investment industry."
Roselin (Guilin) Qu, CAIA, Investment Manager, CITIC Private Equity Funds and CAIA China Chapter Executive commented, “I do believe there will be golden years ahead for the growth of alternative investments in China . I cannot think of a better platform and connector other than CAIA for this community. The CAIA China Chapter was launched at a perfect time.”
The CAIA Association has grown rapidly since its inception in 2002 and its membership now exceeds 7,000 individuals in more than 80 countries. CAIA supports chapters in financial centers around the world and sponsors more than 120 educational and networking events each year.
About the CAIA Association
The CAIA Association is the world leader in alternative investment education, offering the only education pro-gram uniquely designed for individuals specializing in institutional-quality alternative investments. The Association is best known for the CAIA Charter, an internationally-recognized credential granted upon successful completion of a rigorous two-level exam series, combined with relevant work experience. Earning the CAIA Charter is the gateway to becoming a member of the CAIA Association, a global network of more than 7,000 alternative investment professionals located in more than 80 countries. CAIA also offers the
Fundamentals of Alternative Investments Certificate Program (FAI), an introductory-level, online course, designed to provide a foundation in the core concepts in alternative investing. This program represents a natural extension of CAIA’s mission to provide solutions to specific market needs for alternative investment education.
Please contact Deborah McLean (Amherst, MA) at 1+(413) 253-7373 or Jo Murphy (Hong Kong) 011 + (852) 3655-0568 for more information about the CAIA Association or CAIA China, or visit caia.org.
