PolyU AF-HKMA IPMN Closing Ceremony and Student Presentations

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s (HKMA) Industry Project Masters Network (IPMN) Scheme 2026 was successfully concluded on 10 April 2026, marking the programme’s third consecutive year of fruitful collaboration and professional development. The closing ceremony, held at the Royal Garden in Tsim Sha Tsui, celebrated months of dedicated work by 16 MSc in Accounting and Finance Analytics students of the School of Accounting and Finance (AF). To showcase their achievements, eight student groups with two persons for each, presented their projects to the audience of industry professionals and project owners. This was followed by speeches from Prof. Feng Tian and Dr Justin Law of AF. The ceremony concluded with a group photo, the presentation of souvenirs, and a celebratory dinner. We extend our sincere thanks to the HKMA and our industry partners for their support and collaboration, which have made the Scheme a success and strengthened the mentorship bonds between mentors and mentees. Through the IPMN Scheme, our students have gained invaluable practical experience and industry insights, particularly in fintech and sector-specific projects. We are proud of their accomplishments, which demonstrate the practical skills and knowledge they have acquired and their ability to collaborate effectively with industry professionals and project owners.   Event photo   

CAFR Special Issue Conference 2026

The China Accounting and Finance Review (CAFR) Special Issue Conference 2026, jointly organised by the School of Accounting and Finance and the Research Centre for Environmental, Social, and Governance Advancement of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and the School of Accountancy of Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, will be held at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law in Wuhan, China on 28-29 November 2026.   Conference Theme and Aims   The conference theme for this year is “ESG in the AI Era: Challenges and Opportunities”. This special issue conference aims to explore the evolving relationship between Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices and artificial intelligence (AI) in the contemporary business landscape. As AI technologies increasingly reshape how firms collect, process, and disclose ESG information, new challenges and opportunities emerge for stakeholders, regulators, and researchers alike. We seek to advance understanding of how AI impacts ESG reporting quality, assurance, investment decision-making, and corporate accountability. The conference also welcomes submissions from critical perspectives on ethical risks, algorithmic bias, and regulatory gaps introduced by AI-driven ESG practices. By bringing together interdisciplinary research, this special issue conference aspires to inform both academic inquiry and practical policy development, offering insights into responsible innovation, sustainability strategy, and the future of governance in the AI era.   The key features of this conference are:   AI-Driven ESG Reporting and Assurance; Algorithmic Bias, Ethics, and Fairness in ESG Analytics; Regulatory Responses to AI-Enabled ESG Practices; AI, Greenwashing, and Corporate Accountability; and AI for Sustainable Finance and Investment Decision-Making.   Conference Format and Paper Presentation   The conference will feature plenary sessions and concurrent sessions. Authors of papers invited to be presented at the plenary sessions are expected to commit to publishing their papers in the special issue of CAFR (scheduled to be published in the second half of the year following the conference). The commitment to publish with CAFR requirement only applies to papers accepted for presentation at the plenary sessions, and not to those accepted for presentation at the concurrent sessions.    One author of each paper accepted for presentation at the plenary sessions will be invited to present the paper at the conference and will be provided with three nights of accommodation and airfare reimbursement. The maximum amount of airfare reimbursement will range from USD 500 to USD 2,000, depending on the location of the presenter’s affiliation. The conference organisers reserve the final decision on the exact amount to be reimbursed. Presenters at the concurrent sessions will not be provided with accommodation and airfare reimbursement by the conference organizers.          Conference Schedule   Dates:           28-29 November 2026 (Saturday & Sunday) Location:      Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China Theme:         ESG in the AI Era: Challenges and Opportunities   Paper Submission   Please send a complete English version of your submission in Microsoft Word format, including separate files for the title page and for the blinded manuscript, by 2 August 2026 via the online Submission System (https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/cafr). Please select “ESG in the AI Era: Challenges and Opportunities” at Step 6: Details & Comments, and indicate in the cover letter whether you prefer to have your submission considered for:   the plenary session only (which requires a commitment to publish in CAFR if selected); the concurrent session only (which does not require a commitment to publish in CAFR); or both sessions.   For submission guidelines, please visit: https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/journal/cafr#jlp_author_guidelines   There is no paper submission fee for the CAFR Special Issue Conference. Each paper will be peer-reviewed according to the policies of CAFR and the journal publisher Emerald.   Authors will be notified of their acceptance by 4 October 2026.   Key Dates   Paper Submission Opens: 15 April 2026 Submission Deadline: 2 August 2026 Notification of Acceptance: 4 October 2026   Guest Editors   Prof. Sihai LI, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law Prof. Yi XIANG, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Prof. Colin ZENG, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Prof. Qi ZHANG, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law    Conference Organising Committee   Prof. Sihai LI, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law Prof. Nancy SU, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Prof. Qiang WU, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Prof. Qi ZHANG, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law   Organisers   School of Accounting and Finance, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Research Centre for Environmental, Social, and Governance Advancement, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Accountancy, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law

BBA Students Secure Third Prize at HSBC China Future Leaders Challenge

We are delighted to announce that Team DeepBank, comprising three BBA students from the School of Accounting and Finance (AF) at PolyU, has secured the Third Prize at the  “Together for future” HSBC China Future Leaders Challenge.    Team members, CHEN Yueer, YANG Mengyun, and HE Qiwen, advanced to the final round of the competition held on 27 March 2026 at the HSBC Building, Shanghai IFC. The competition focused on contemporary business themes, “Intelligent Succession” and “Smart Go Global”. Team DeepBank selected “Intelligent Succession” and presented a comprehensive financial planning solution for a high net worth family.    Among the team, HE Qiwen was further recognised with the Outstanding Individual Award, highlighting Team DeepBank’s strong performance in the competition.     We thank Prof. Sunny Sun, Dr Increase Onwachukwu and Dr William Wong from AF for their dedicated coaching, as well as the HSBC industry mentor, Ms Edith Wong, for their invaluable guidance and support throughout the competition journey.

AF Student Receives PolyU Outstanding Student Award 2025/26

We are delighted to share that Kun TAO, a student from the BBA in Accounting and Finance programme, has been awarded the Outstanding Student Award of the School of Accounting and Finance for 2025/26.   The Outstanding Student Award recognises students who have demonstrated excellent academic performance, a positive learning attitude, and outstanding personal qualities, and who have excelled in both academic and non‑academic pursuits during their studies at PolyU.   The School extends its warmest congratulations to Kun TAO on this well‑deserved honour and wishes him continued success in his future endeavours.

Inauguration Ceremony of the PolyU–Quant Cloud Centre for AI in Accounting and Finance

The inauguration ceremony of the PolyU–Quant Cloud Centre for AI in Accounting and Finance was held at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) on Thursday, 19 March 2026. The newly established research centre is dedicated to harnessing the power of large language models and advanced natural language processing to extract market signals, transform them into robust and testable sentiment factors, and generate measurable value for both academic scholarship and professional practice. Prof. Jin-guang Teng, President of PolyU, delivered the opening remarks at the ceremony. On behalf of the School of Accounting and Finance, Prof. Nancy Su, Head of the School, received a cheque from Dr. Zeng Zhiyun, Chairman of the Board of Capital Finance Holdings Limited (Stock Code: HK.08239), in support of the establishment of the centre.  The ceremony was also graced by Prof. Geoffrey Shen, Associate Vice President (Global Partnerships) of PolyU; Mr. David Wu, Chairman of Going Quant, and Ms. Vivian Wang, Operating President of Going Quant; together with Prof. Xianjin Xu, Professor of Practice and Deputy Programme Director of the Doctor of Management Programme, Faculty of Business, as well as Secretary-General of the PolyU–Tsinghua University Alumni Association and faculty members of the School of Accounting and Finance. The launch of the PolyU–Quant Cloud Centre for AI in Accounting and Finance marks a significant milestone in the School’s enduring commitment to advancing knowledge and translating cutting-edge research into real-world impact.    

BBA Students Secure First Runner-Up at HSBC/HKU Business Case Competition 2026

Congratulations to PolyU’s BBA team featuring students from the School of Accounting and Finance (AF) for securing the first runner-up position at the HSBC/HKU Hong Kong Business Case Competition 2026, held on 7 March 2026. Representing AF were Audrey ARISGRAHA (BBA in Accounting and Finance) and Zixuan ZHANG (BBA in Digital Finance and Investment with a Secondary Major in AIDA), who partnered with peers from the Department of Management and Marketing to deliver a well-structured and insightful solution in the competition. This achievement demonstrates the students’ ability to translate their academic knowledge into practical solutions, demonstrating strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

AF Wins Merit Award at the Investor and Financial Education Award 2025

The School of Accounting and Finance (AF) has been awarded the Merit Award at the Investor and Financial Education Award (IFEA) 2025 for the project “Financial Literacy Education to LowIncome Communities.” The Award is organised by the Investor and Financial Education Council (IFEC) and recognises impactful initiatives that advance financial literacy and investor education in Hong Kong.  Representing AF, Dr Derek Yim attended the award presentation ceremony on 10 March 2026, where the AF’s contribution to community‑focused financial literacy education was formally recognised. AF’s Merit Award‑winning project is built on a service‑learning subject that promotes financial literacy among low‑income communities. Through collaboration with local schools, NGOs and community organisations, the project delivers practical financial literacy education while fostering social awareness, responsibility and community engagement. This recognition reflects AF’s ongoing commitment to knowledge transfer, community engagement and social responsibility, and its dedication to advancing financial capability and inclusion.  

The PolyU Digital Finance Symposium 2026

The School of Accounting and Finance at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is pleased to announce that the PolyU Digital Finance Symposium 2026 will be held on 19 - 20 March 2026.  Roundtable (for AF members and symposium speakers only) Date: 19 March 2026 (Thursday) Time: 2:30 pm-6:00 pm (Registration starts at 2:00 pm) Venue: Room 1937, Level 28, Hotel ICON Symposium Date: 20 March 2026 (Friday) Time: 9:00 am-5:30 pm (Registration starts at 8:45 am) Venue: M1603, 16/F, Li Ka Shing Tower, Poly U The Symposium aims to provide a platform for leading scholars to present cutting-edge research on digital finance and related topics. The programme will feature paper presentations, keynote addresses, and roundtable discussions, fostering dialogue among distinguished academics and practitioners. Each paper presentation will be followed by a discussion. We are honoured to have invited the following professors as our presenters/discussants: Keynote Speaker Lin William Cong (The Rudd Family Endowed Chair Professor of Management & Professor of Finance, Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business) Other Spekers/Discussants (in alphabetical order) Charles Cao (Yang Ju Mei Professor of Finance, Chairman of Department of Finance, The Chinese University of Hong Kong) Darwin Choi (Associate Professor, Department of Finance, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) Jungsuk Han (Associate Professor of Finance, Seoul National University) Alan Kwan (Associate Professor of Finance, University of Hong Kong) Philipp Krüger (Professor of Finance,University of Geneva (GSEM) and Geneva Finance Research Institute (GFRI), Senior Chair at the Swiss Finance Institute (SFI)) John Kuong (Associate Professor, Department of Finance, The Chinese University of Hong Kong) Daniel Rabetti (Assistant Professor of Accounting, National University of Singapore) Yang Song (Associate Professor of Finance, Norman J. Metcalfe Endowed Professor in Finance, Michael G. Foster School of Business, University of Washington) Huan Tang (Assistant Professor of Finance, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania) Chaojun Wang (Assistant Professor of Finance, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania) Gloria Yu (Assistant Professor of Finance, Singapore Management University) Tentative Programme Registration Registration for the symposium begins on 23 February 2026. Due to limited capacity, registration was accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. No registration fee will be charged for this event. Participants are responsible for making their own travel and accommodation arrangements.  For PolyU AF Faculty members, please register (Here)  For PolyU AF PhD students, please register (Here)  For Guests, please register (Here) For enquiries, please contact Ms Mandy Chan at mlokchan@polyu.edu.hk. Symposium Organising Committee Prof. Nancy Su, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Prof. Chi-shen Wei, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

PolyU AF Team Wins 2nd Runner-Up at the Hong Kong Local Final of the CFA Institute Research Challenge 2025-26

Four BBA students from the School of Accounting and Finance at PolyU, Qixiang WANG, Mengxi ZHANG, Yiming ZHANG and Qiaochu HU, achieved outstanding success by winning the 2nd runner-up prize at the Hong Kong Final of the “CFA Institute Research Challenge” held on Saturday, 7 February 2026.   The CFA Institute Research Challenge is a global competition that fosters best practices in equity research among the next generation of analysts. Through hands-on mentoring and rigorous training in company analysis, participants gain invaluable experience that equips them for successful careers in finance. This year marked the 22nd consecutive edition of the Challenge, featuring a record participation of 32 teams representing 16 universities from Hong Kong and Macau.   Among these 32 teams, the top five finalists advanced to the Local Final Presentation on 7 February 2026, where they presented their in-depth analysis and recommendations to a panel of professional judges. The event also included a Career Panel sharing session, where seasoned industry practitioners offered insights on career development within the financial sector.   Congratulations to Qixiang, Mengxi, Yiming, and Qiaochu for their remarkable achievement and dedication throughout the competition. We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to their coaches and advisors for their invaluable guidance and support, which played a crucial role in the team’s success.

PolyU Hosts Legal Technology Forum Showcasing AI Innovation in Law

Prof. Haitian Lu, Hong Kong Sustaintech Foundation Professor in Accounting and Finance at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and founder of the PolyU startup WiseLaw Digital Technology Limited (WiseLaw), recently gave an in‑depth interview to HK01. In the feature, Prof. Lu elaborated on the four core products of the company’s “Next Generation Legal Service AI Agent System”, including advanced capabilities in cross‑border compliance advisory, contract review, legal data retrieval, and AI‑driven legal education, designed to empower the digital and intelligent transformation of legal services, with the aim of boosting efficiency and enhancing access to high‑quality legal support.  Supported by funding from PolyU’s Angel Fund (TSSSU+) and multiple regional innovation programmes, WiseLaw aims to strengthen Hong Kong’s role as a “super-connector” in global legal services.  The interview also highlighted that PolyU and WiseLaw co‑organised a showcase last week to demonstrate the four products. Dr Kwok‑kwan Cheung, Deputy Secretary for Justice of the HKSAR, and Prof. Christopher Chao, PolyU’s Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation), officiated and delivered remarks, underscoring the critical role of legal technology in strengthening Hong Kong’s development as a hub for cross‑border legal services and innovation. Read the full article: https://polyu.me/49Yx9qa