The Shenzhen University WeBank Institute of Fintech has been recognized as a "2025 Forbes China Industry Development Influential Institution" at the China Industry Development Pioneer Awards, co-hosted by Forbes China and Frost & Sullivan. This prestigious recognition underscores the Institute’s outstanding achievements and marks a significant milestone in its journey toward deep integration of industry, academia, and research.
The award celebrates institutions demonstrating substantial influence and innovation across industries. Amid the rapid evolution of the fintech sector, this recognition not only affirms the Institute's leadership but also encourages broader innovation, drives industry transformation, and inspires practitioners to generate greater social value—contributing to China's global competitiveness in fintech and shaping the future landscape of the industry.
Synergistic Progress: A Multidimensional Path of Collaboration and Growth
The Institute is dedicated to aligning industry and education while nurturing innovative talent. Through initiatives such as the WeBank Scholarship Summer Camp, the Frontiers and Practices in FinTech Applications course series, the WeBank Special Internship Program, and the Shenzhen International FinTech Competition, students gain access to cutting-edge knowledge and hands-on experience in real-world business contexts.
Moreover, the WeBank-Liyuan Research Fund provides strong academic support, enabling faculty and students to achieve significant research breakthroughs. The Institute’s success in industry-academia-research collaboration has led to broad recognition of its talent development model.
Academic Excellence and Student Achievement
Professor Qiang Yang, a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society of Canada, and Chief AI Officer at WeBank, has delivered a series of high-impact lectures at the Institute. Additionally, students from the Institute recently secured the First Prize in the “Product Manager” track at the 2024 Shenzhen International FinTech Competition, showcasing their innovation and practical skills.
Professor Qiang Yang, a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society of Canada, and Chief AI Officer at WeBank, has delivered a series of high-impact lectures at the Institute. Additionally, students from the Institute recently secured the First Prize in the “Product Manager” track at the 2024 Shenzhen International FinTech Competition, showcasing their innovation and practical skills.
In collaboration with the Qianhai FinTech International Talent Development Center, the Institute co-founded the Qianhai FinTech International Talent Development Center last year, marking a key achievement in university-enterprise cooperation. To further empower students, the Institute launched a Student Empowerment Center to offer holistic support in areas such as personal development, academic research, competitions, and corporate internships—cultivating globally competitive, innovation-driven fintech talent.
Looking Ahead: Building a Global FinTech Talent Hub
Going forward, the Institute will harness the combined strengths of academia, industry, and government through the launch of the Shenzhen University WeBank Institute of Fintech Qianhai Innovation Center. This center aims to foster a new generation of fintech professionals who are both academically proficient and practically skilled, with strong innovative capacities. It will play a vital role in energizing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Shenzhen pilot demonstration zone, contributing to China’s ambition to become a global financial powerhouse.
