In order to accelerate the cultivation of young financial talents in Macao, promote moderate economic diversification of Macao, and jointly explore the innovative cooperation model between banks and higher education institutes, on 18 June 2020, the Macao Polytechnic Institute (MPI) and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Macau) Limited (ICBC Macau) signed the ‘Strategic Cooperation Protocol’. Both parties will strengthen the cooperation, collaboratively promote the cultivation of interdisciplinary young financial talents, and enhance the development of featured finance in Macao.

The signing ceremony of the cooperation protocol was held in the morning on 18 June at MPI. Im Sio Kei, President of MPI and Jiang Yisheng, Chairman of ICBC Macau signed the protocol on behalf of both parties. Im expressed, ‘The nurturing of talents is the core factor to boost the city’s competitiveness. MPI is committed to creating a platform for cultivating professional talents by offering programmes which are closely related to the needs of social development. The talent nurturing model and teaching quality have received international recognition. In different areas, MPI has cultivated a large number of professional and innovative talents with love for the Motherland and Macao and with international competitiveness.’ Im thanked ICBC Macau for its long-term support of offering scholarships to outstanding MPI students. He was pleased that ICBC Macau would leverage the advantages as a financial platform, make contributions to serve Macao and enhance regional economic and social development through cooperation with MPI, as well as jointly contribute to the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Jiang Yisheng, Chairman of ICBC Macau expressed, ‘Since the establishment of the “ICBC University – Macao Youth Financial Talent Training Institute” in November last year, ICBC Macau has actively implemented practical financial training projects. In view of the COVID-19 outbreak at the beginning of this year, the teaching model has been adjusted in a timely manner to support “suspending classes without suspending learning”. In conjunction with the Beijing head office, the first online training course on “featured finance” has been organised. Participants comprising more than 300 teachers and students from three Macao higher education institutes have provided unanimous and positive feedback. Next, the training needs of MPI will be deeply discussed to formulate a targeted financial training and internship programme for students.’

During the signing ceremony, ICBC Macau introduced the training and internship programme of “ICBC University – Macao Youth Financial Talent Training Institute” to MPI. Both parties believe that the signing of the cooperation protocol will deepen the collaboration. Based on the strategy of ‘building a better Macao through education’, the national tactic of ‘deepening the industry-education cooperation’, and the focus on the development of the Greater Bay Area, both parties will actively explore the establishment of a regional industry-education integration alliance, effectively increase the exchange of education resources, especially talents in higher education as well as science and technology, in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and connect the linkage between education, talents, industry and innovation.

Xu Keen, Chief Executive Officer; Huang Xianjun, Deputy Chief Executive Officer; Wu Zhigang, Head of Executive Office; Lin Weiling, General Manager of Human Resources Department; Luo Chenggang, General Manager of Retail Banking Department; Yan Jie, General Manager of Card Business Department and Private Banking Department; Lam Iok Ha, General Manager of Marketing Department, representatives from ICBC Macau; and Lei Vai Fong, Secretary-General; Han Lili, Director of the School of Languages and Translation; Lam Fat Iam, Acting Director of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences; Lam Ieng Kit, Head of the Administration and Finance Department; Lei Un, Head of Academic Affairs Department; Ian Ka Ieng, Head of Finance Office; Lao Weng Ian, Head of Student Affairs Office; Chan Iok Leng, Head of Public Relations Office, representatives from MPI, attended and witnessed the signing of the protocol.