AMTD News | GFI partners WSPC to Collaborate on Journal and Book Series

Recently, Global FinTech Institute (GFI) announced that it has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the World Scientific Publishing Co (WSPC) on the collaboration of the Journal of FinTech (JFT) and Book Series in a virtual ceremony held last evening. Gracing the virtual event were Her Excellency Dr Serey Chea, Assistant Governor of National Bank of Cambodia, and Mr Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief Fintech Officer, Monetary Authority of Singapore.

As part of the collaboration, GFI has been named as the official partner of the JFT and is tasked to promote the journal to its members and encourage paper submissions. Following the MoU signing, GFI will be organising conferences which would lead to conference papers being compiled for a special issue of the journal. The Co-Founder and Chairman of GFI, Professor David Lee was appointed as the Co-Editor of JFT.

Meanwhile, GFI has designated WSPC as the official publisher of its e-learning materials from the Chartered Fintech Professional (CFtP) programme. WSPC would be granted the exclusive right and license to publish, the first and any subsequent editions, in all forms and media in the English language throughout the world. In return, CFtP candidates will be granted free electronic access to the e-learning materials from the proposed book series, and these e-contents will be hosted on WSPC’s website.

The CFtP qualification aims to promote the FinTech sector and raise the level of professionalism within the industry and provide a pathway for professionals from other industries who aspire to embark on a career in FinTech.

To round up the evening, H.E. Dr Serey Chea and Mr Sopnendu Mohanty also gave keynote addresses on the topic of digital financial inclusivity and literacy, a topic close to the hearts of fintech educators and regulators alike.

Professor David Lee, Co-Founder and Chairman of GFI, said, “GFI is humbled by this opportunity to be at the forefront of elevating professionalism within the FinTech industry. The Journal of FinTech and Book series marks the start of many initiatives GFI has lined up this year to promote the FinTech sector. We look forward to further deepening our partnership with WSPC as we collectively work to boost the standards of FinTech professionals.”

Mr. Max Phua, Managing Director of World Scientific, said, “The ongoing pandemic has accelerated the digitalisation of the economy, including the adoption of Fintech across sectors. Amid the rising interest in Fintech among professionals, World Scientific is pleased to support the Global Fintech Institute in the publication of a book series on Fintech for their Chartered Fintech Professional programme. World Scientific also welcomes the Global Fintech Institute as the official partner of The Journal of FinTech and looks forward to their contribution to the growth of the journal.”

H.E. Dr Serey Chea, Assistant Governor, National Bank of Cambodia said, "I am very honoured to be appointed as an International Council Member – along with other very respectable individuals in academia, and public and private sectors – of the Global FinTech Institute, Singapore University of Social Sciences. I was also pleased to witness the MoU signing between GFI and World Scientific Publishing Company."

Mr Calvin Choi, Chairman of AMTD Group, Founding Chairman of Greater Bay Young Entrepreneurs Association, Vice President of China Youth Entrepreneurs Association, commented, “We at AMTD will continue to provide our full support to GFI in grooming more FinTech talents. I’m excited about GFI’s collaboration with World Scientific to produce The Journal of FinTech, which I’m sure will become one of the key publications for FinTech professionals in the region.”

During the event, GFI also announced the establishment of its International Council, which will provide strategic guidance to GFI in promoting FinTech education and exchange of ideas globally, as well as establishing thought leadership within the industry. GFI’s International Council members include:

•H.E. Dr Serey Chea, Assistant Governor, National Bank of Cambodia
•Mr Calvin Choi, Chairman, AMTD Group; Founding Chairman, Greater Bay Young Entrepreneurs Association; Vice President, China Youth Entrepreneurs Association
•Prof Sheng Songcheng, Counselor of PBoC and Shanghai Municipal People's Government; Adjunct Professor of Economics and Finance at China Europe International Business School (former Director General of the Financial Survey and Statistics Department at PBoC)
•Prof Wang Hong, President of China Europe International Business School; Professor of Management (Tier-2)
•Dr Xiao Feng, Chairman and CEO, Wanxiang Blockchain Inc.
•Mr Zhou Yanli, Former Vice Chairman of the China Insurance Regulatory Commission

The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital finance worldwide, elevating the need to professionalise the FinTech sector and conduct more research in emerging topics of digital finance including green and sustainable finance. According to the e-Conomy SEA 2020 report , the pandemic led to an enormous adoption of digital services as more people leveraged online tools to remain connected. Approximately 40 million new users adopted digital in 2020, bringing the total number of internet users in the region up to 400 million — an estimated 70 per cent of Southeast Asia’s population is now online. GFI and WSPC will work closely together to uplift the professionalism of the FinTech community.