Press Release

HKBU signs MOU with HKICPA to prepare students for emerging business opportunities and meet the growing demand for ESG talent

Monday, 21 September 2026

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) and the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today (21 September) to jointly support students from accounting and different business disciplines in their professional career planning. The partnership will also guide students to explore opportunities in emerging business areas, such as sustainability, and promote educational development in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). This is the first MOU the HKICPA has signed with a local higher education institution.

The signing ceremony was held on the HKBU campus. The MOU was signed by Dr Albert Chau, Vice-President (Teaching and Learning) of HKBU and Mr Arthur Lee, Chief Executive and Registrar of HKICPA. The ceremony was witnessed by Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, and Mr Stephen Law, President of HKICPA.

Professor Alex Wai said: "HKBU is committed to providing a holistic and transdisciplinary education to address changes in the global economic environment. By expanding our collaboration with HKICPA, we open professional pathways for students across diverse academic disciplines. Integrating sustainability education into our student development initiatives ensures our graduates emerge as socially responsible leaders capable of driving the green transition."

Mr Stephen Law said: "The signing of this MOU signifies the translation of our shared vision to nurture outstanding talent into concrete action.  As Hong Kong’s sustainability disclosure and assurance standard setter, HKICPA has always been committed to driving professional training in relevant fields.  We look forward to further deepening our collaboration with local tertiary education institutions to fully advance sustainability education in Hong Kong, and build a talent pool with a forward-looking vision for the industry.”

Under the MOU, HKBU and HKICPA will co-design and implement a series of initiatives to support students in exploring professional qualifications and business career pathways. Significantly, the initiatives will break through traditional business boundaries and include students from non-accounting disciplines, guiding them to discover trajectories in accounting, auditing, sustainability, and corporate governance.

Addressing the growing global demand for ESG professionals, the collaboration prioritises professional sustainability education. The two institutions will jointly organise seminars, sharing sessions, and networking events focusing on sustainability reporting, assurance frameworks, and emerging green career opportunities.

To deliver whole-person business education and uphold triple-accredited academic excellence, HKBU School of Business will provide academic guidance, coordinate student participation in HKICPA events, facilitate programme delivery, and promote professional resources, closely aligning classroom theory with real-world business needs. Concurrently, HKICPA will provide specialised industry insights, technical resources, and vast professional networks.

 

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Witnessed by Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU (left, back row), and Mr Stephen Law, President of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (right, back row), the Memorandum of Understanding is signed by Dr Albert Chau, HKBU Vice-President (Teaching and Learning) of HKBU (left, front row) and Mr Arthur Lee, Chief Executive and Registrar of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (right, front row).
Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU (3rd left); Mr Stephen Law, President of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (3rd right); Dr Albert Chau, Vice-President (Teaching and Learning) of HKBU (2nd left); Mr Arthur Lee, Chief Executive and Registrar of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (2nd right); Professor Zhang Han, Dean of the School of Business at HKBU (1st left); and Professor Calvin Tse, Vice-President of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (1st right) pose for a group photo.
Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, delivers a speech at the signing ceremony.
Mr Stephen Law, President of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, addresses the audience at the signing ceremony.