On 8 to 9 September 2025, Professor Susana Yuen and Associate Professor of Practice Mr Dixon Wong of the Rita Tong Liu School of Business and Hospitality Management (SBHM) of Saint Francis University (SFU) joined the China-UAE Two-way Investment Promotion Conference, the Cross-border Professional Talent Training Base unveiling ceremony, and the MOU signing ceremony. They also participated in the China-UK Insurance Innovation Exchange Conference and a Xiamen University School of Economics seminar. Their presence was aimed at strengthening industry-university collaboration and joining hands with Chinese mainland organisations in cross-border talent training, family office service, and corporate governance.
In the afternoon of 8 September, SBHM Dean Professor Susana Yuen officiated at the unveiling ceremony of U&I-SFU Family Office and Corporate Governance Centre (Xiamen) / SFU Centre (Xiamen). The centre is the first collaborative platform in Xiamen set up by SFU for sharing training resources and practical guidance in the areas of family office operation and corporate compliance and governance. On behalf of SFU, Professor Yuen signed a memorandum of understanding with U&I Group on collaboration in cross-border family office talent training. The Postgraduate Diploma in Private Banking and Family Office (PgD-PBFO) at SBHM will take into account industry demand of the Chinese Mainland and integrate Greater Bay Area study cases and field trips into its curriculum.
On 8 September morning, Professor Yuen addressed the China-UK Insurance Innovation Exchange Conference themed Policy Empowerment, Insurance Company Support, Collaborative Innovation. She elaborated on SFU’s strength in nurturing job-ready cross-border insurance and corporate governance professionals. Graduates of the SBHM Master of Corporate Governance (MCG) programme are eligible for full exemption from The Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute professional examinations, and thus can apply for associate membership and the titles of Chartered Secretary and Chartered Governance Professional with the required work experience.
On 9 September, Professor Yuen visited the School of Economics at Xiamen University (XMU Economics) for a discussion with Professor Jiang Fuwei, Director and Professor Zhao Zhengtang, Deputy Director of the Department of Finance on cross-border talent training and insurance industry-academia-research cooperation. She introduced to them SBHM’s academia-industry-international model of talent development. She cited examples of the syllabus design of PgD-PBFO components, such as family wealth planning and cross-border risk management. The two parties also discussed mutual recognition of academic credits for prospective programmes and opportunities for collaborative research. XMU Economics has been cooperating with institutions in France, Italy, the UK, the US, etc. in offering joint degrees and is happy to explore the possibility of jointly offering PgD-PBFO and MCG.
SBHM is committed to promoting cross-border business education and connecting with industry. Its presence in Xiamen is a crucial step in SFU’s collaboration with Chinese Mainland institutions and organisations to open up new pathways for training and help professionals develop a world vision and practical abilities. The School looks forward to extending collaboration to major cities in order to provide quality education and serve the needs of China-UAE and China-UK development.