Beijing-based Frontier Institute of Regulation and Supervision Technology (FIRST) is an unofficial, non-profit research institution established under the guidance of Beijing Local Financial Supervision and Administration. Since its founding in November 2014, the Academy of Internet Finance, Zhejiang University has accumulated advantages in discipline construction, international development, and the integrated development of governments, industries, universities, research institutions and start-ups. Relying on those advantages, FIRST actively cooperates with Beijing to help it build a fintech innovation center with global influence.The institute is committed to carrying out research on the frontier innovation theory of fintech and regulation technology suitable for China's national conditions, releases the Report on Global Fintech Center Cities, and enhances the two-way scenario empowerment of "technology + regulation" and "technology + compliance" through the aggregation effect of "technology + finance + application". As the secretariat of the Global RegTech Forum, the institute builds a platform for benign interaction among such entities as regulators, industry associations, financial enterprises, technology companies, and research institutes through international exchanges and cooperation, in a bid to create a regulation technology ecosystem and a financial technology development ecosystem.
The Academy of Internet Finance (AIF), Zhejiang University, was established in April 2015. Under the guidance of the Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences, Zhejiang University and with the strong support and help of the School of Economics, the Academy of Financial Research and other departments of the university, the AIF brings together the research forces of the School of Economics, the Guanghua Law School, the School of Management, the School of Mathematical Sciences, the College of Computer Science and Technology, the School of Public Affairs, and the International Business School of Zhejiang University to carry out interdisciplinary research. In 2019, it was recognized as a New University Think Tank in Zhejiang Province by the Department of Education of Zhejiang Province.On the basis of the five founding research centers for Internet and Financial Innovation, Internet Finance & Development, Internet Finance Law, Internet Finance Technology and E-commerce & Mathematical Finance, the AIF has set up a number of special research labs such as Hangzhou Research Center, Sinan Lab, Financial Internationalization Lab and Global Fintech Lab, and took the lead in building the FinTech Lab of Xiong'an Development Research Center of Zhejiang University.
Zhejiang Association of Fintech (ZAFT) is subject to the administration of Zhejiang Provincial Local Financial Supervision and Administration Bureau. The association was initiated by Zhejiang University AIF, Ant Group, and CZBank, and jointly built by licensed financial institutions such as Caitong Securities and Zheshang Securities, as well as leading fintech institutions, companies and organizations including LianLian Pay and Zhejiang Lab (Fintech Research Center). It is an AAAAA social group featuring industry self-regulation that was officially registered with Zhejiang Provincial Department of Civil Affairs.Since its establishment, the association, with the mission of “promoting business with the help of the government, turning knowledge into statecraft, starting from Hangzhou, and leading the world”, has actively built a bridge of communication between government and enterprises, strengthened industry supervision and guidance, and conducted industry innovation research. It is committed to building a fintech ecosystem with global influence to build Zhejiang into the pilot of digital finance, and promote the high-quality and sustainable economic development of Zhejiang and across China.
Zhejiang University-Ant Group Fintech Centre (ZAFC) was established in September 2020. ZAFC has established Global Fintech Lab, Data Security and Privacy Protection Lab and Intelligent Computing Lab to carry out multi-directional cooperation including technology R&D, academic exchanges and talent training.Relying on the scientific research strength and talent resources of Zhejiang University and Ant Group, the center is committed to building a global benchmark research institution in the field of fintech. ZAFC will focus on the fundamental, cutting-edge, and strategic topics of fintech, take the lead in the emerging and interdisciplinary fields, explore the construction of new technology systems and industrial applications, and promote theoretical development and collaborative research in the fields of new economy and new finance, so as to provide solutions for business models, technological innovation and talent training in the era of digital economy.
Established on December 20, 2009, the International Monetary Institute (IMI) of Renmin University of China is a non-profit academic research institution and a new professional think tank focusing on monetary and financial theory, policy and strategy research. The institute has employed over 90 famous experts and scholars from domestic and foreign research institutes, government departments or financial institutions as members of the advisory, academic and international committees, and more than 80 young and middle-aged experts as researchers.The Institute has long focused on such fields as international finance, monetary banking, macro-economy, financial regulation, fintech, and local finance. It has regularly held high-level forums or lectures such as International Monetary Forum, monetary finance (youth) round table, Macro-Finance Salon, McKinnon Lectures, TAO Xiang International Finance Lecture, the Launch of IMF World Economic Outlook, and fintech open classes. The IMI has made a large number of academic achievements with important theoretical and policy influence, such as Annual Report on the Internationalization of Renminbi, Report on Tianfu Financial Index, Report on the Internationalization of Financial Institutions and Monthly Macroeconomic Analysis Report.
The iMF program balances the importance of theory and practice, providing the students with the expertise and necessary skills to thrive in the financial industry. The iMF teachers always encourage us to think critically and voice our ideas, it’s great because they believe that our thoughts and opinions matter and are just as important. They are also very accommodating to those who have limited finance background, making the program inclusive for everyone. At the same time, the partnerships with renowned experts allow the students to be mentored directly by the best, make connections with leading industry professionals, and understand the Chinese financial market better. Not to mention the ZIBS staff who are always there with a helping hand to support the students to make the most out of the program. I have been enjoying this program and learning a lot, and I cannot wait to experience the rest of what iMF has to offer!
Kaluharage Dasun Vishvantha De Silva
Sri Lanka, 2022 iMF student
My time in the iMF program thus far can be characterized as both challenging and rewarding. The classes are taught by the most professional professors who are focused on giving a quality education that matches the trends in the industry. This is further enforced by the constant influx of prestigious guest speakers such as Anshula Kant (CFO of the World Bank). I also had a great time networking with my many Chinese and international classmates, which is encouraged by the program through its many group assignments. If you are worried about covid restrictions or cultural differences, don’t be. The staff is very supportive to everyone and will go above and beyond to make you feel at home. By joining iMF you will not only have a valuable degree from one of the world’s most competitive universities, but you will also make many friends and memories.
LIU Xiaomeng
Chinese, 2021 iMF student
The courses of iMF programs tend to be more practical. Econometrics, Python and other courses help us master the foundation of data analysis and quantitative finance. Guest lectures and exchange activities provide us opportunities to connect with excellent enterprises and professionals, which broaden my career potentials. At the same time, the English teaching environment can quickly enhance my English proficiency and communication skills with fellow students around the world. In the iMF program, your reasonable ideas and feedbacks will be carefully adopted and adjusted by professors, which is something I have never experienced before.
Anesu Archibald Bangani
Zimbabwe, 2020 iMF student
The iMF teachers have been giving us insightful lessons that incorporate theory and practice which have a close eye on current trends and news and this has been important in equipping us with the relevant skills we will need in the job market. I have really been enjoying my stay here with abundant learning resources and great campus life and it has really been nice knowing that there is always someone readily available to help you if you need help.
Leon Nikolai Reichert
German, 2021 iMF student
The ZIBS Master of Finance is not only extremely interesting but also provides the skills and tools needed for a thorough understanding of the global and Chinese financial markets. ZIBS finds the perfect balance between knowledge transfer and application with python, excel, stata and more. Moreover, both the entire ZIBS staff as well as my fellow students were always extremely helpful and did their best to make everything work especially with the online courses. The iMF at Zhejiang University was a great choice and I am looking forward to the rest of the program!