Sustainable development is a topic of great importance to society today. Over the years, PolyU has focused on interdisciplinary research in order to provide innovative solutions to societal challenges. Founded by several eco-conscious and tech-savvy corporations, Hong Kong Sustaintech Foundation (the Foundation) recognises the opportunities for promoting sustainable development within the discipline of Accounting and Finance. The Foundation has therefore made a generous donation to establish an Endowed Professorship in Accounting and Finance in order to support PolyU’s ongoing contributions in the area of sustainable development. Prof. Lu Haitian, Professor of the School of Accounting and Finance, has been appointed as the Endowed Professor.

With the aim of encouraging ground-breaking research related to sustainable technologies and corporate strategies on environment, social and governance (ESG) criteria, the Foundation acknowledges PolyU’s research contributions in sustainable development. Mr Adrian Wang, Chairman of the Foundation, said, “The Foundation is honoured to establish an Endowed Professorship and will work with PolyU to create a win-win situation for industry and the environment.”

Prof. Lu’s scholarly achievements span law, finance, accounting and other disciplines. He was one of the founding members of the Center for Economic Sustainability and Entrepreneurial Finance of the Faculty of Business at PolyU, which has become an international knowledge hub for cutting-edge research in green finance and Fintech. “The Endowed Professorship will advance my pursuit of innovative financial solutions for our society’s most salient sustainability challenges, especially in the ESG field,” said Prof. Lu.