AMHERST, MASS./HONG KONG (30, January , 2015) – The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology’s School of Business and Management (HKUST Business School) and the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association, a not-for-profit organization recognized globally as the leader in alternative investment education, today announced an academic partnership. Under the partnership, students in the HKUST’s Business School will have access to the CAIA Association's curriculum and events, and be eligible to apply for scholarships to earn the CAIA Charter. The partnership comes on the back of CAIA’s rapid growth in Asia Pacific markets and HKUST’s stellar ascent since its inception in 1991.
A launch ceremony and inauguration lecture to mark CAIA’s first academic partnership in Hong Kong were held on 29 January 2015 in Hong Kong. The ceremony was officiated by Mr William (Bill) Kelly, CEO of the CAIA Association, Professor Jitendra V. Singh, Dean of the HKUST Business School and Michael Jebsen Professor of Business, and Professor Peter Mackay, Associate Head, Department of Finance, HKUST, and Ms Jo Murphy, Managing Director of Asia Pacific for the CAIA Association. Professor Keith Black, Ph.D., CAIA, CFA, Managing Director, Curriculum and Exams at CAIA Association, delivered a presentation on The Rise of Liquid Alts, exploring the recent growth in the number of products available in "liquid alternatives." His lecture focused on the significant regulatory differences in these products from private placement products, their availability to retail investors, and the differences in performance and due diligence requirements.
"Hong Kong is a critical market for alternative investments, and we are thrilled to have HKUST as our first academic partner in the region,” said Mr. Kelly. “This partnership underscores CAIA’s ongoing commitment to providing students access to the most current, in-depth education in a range of asset classes including commodities, hedge funds, and private equity, and to offering a competitive advantage for practitioners in the growing field of alternative investing."
The CAIA Charter program is a rigorous, self-directed education for finance professionals seeking deep knowledge and expertise in alternative investing including hedge funds, private equity, structured products, commodities, and real assets. The CAIA designation, which is granted upon successfully passing Level I and Level II exams and meeting membership requirements, is valued by top employers and recognized globally as the highest standard of achievement in alternative investment education. Currently, there are nearly 500 CAIA charter holders in Hong Kong.
Professor Peter Mackay, Academic Director of HKUST’s premier MSc programs in Investment Management and Financial Analysis, commented that the academic partnership with CAIA was a testament to the quality of the programs and the relevance of the course offering, adding: “This partnership is great news for HKUST, especially for our students and alumni, who can leverage an already great value proposition into a truly remarkable advantage on the job market. These benefits will radiate to the entire Business School for years to come. And we foresee advantages to CAIA as well – a win-win collaboration.”
CAIA’s Academic Partnership Program includes some of the most prestigious universities in the world that incorporate alternative investments into their courses as represented by the topics covered in the CAIA Level I and Level II curriculum. The HKUST Business School becomes CAIA’s 30th Academic Partner, joining other internationally top-ranked business schools including 11 universities in the Americas, 10 in Europe, and nine in Asia (including HKUST).
About the CAIA Association (CAIA.org)
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.
About HKUST Business School
Founded in 1991, the HKUST Business School is recognized as one of the youngest and most respected business schools in Asia. The School has forged an international reputation for world class education programs and research performance, and has received many top global rankings. It has been awarded AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accreditation since 1999.
The School strives to contribute to the economic and social advancement of the region by developing future leaders who possess an entrepreneurial spirit and a strong sense of responsibility, and promoting knowledge advancement in many significant business areas. For more information, please visit www.bm.ust.hk.
For media enquiries, please contact:
CAIA Association
Jo Murphy, CAIA Association-Hong Kong
Managing Director, Asia Pacific
Phone: (852) 3752 0495
Email: jmurphy@caia.org
Deborah McLean, CAIA Association
Head of External Relations
Phone: (413) 253-7373
Email: dmclean@caia.org
HKUST Business School
John Poon
Manager, Communications & External Affairs
Phone: (852) 3469 2090
Email: johnpoon@ust.hk
