This year marks the first time that Citibank and the Chinese University of Hong Kong have jointly offered the Citibank University Banking Course. As part of the Hong Kong Citi Financial Education Series funded by Citi Foundation, the banking course is designed to provide 2nd year students in the Faculty of Business Administration of CUHK with a comprehensive background in modern banking operations and practices.
At the inauguration ceremony held recently, Mr. Sim Lim, Citi Country Officer for Hong Kong, shared his personal experiences with the students in attendance. He advised the students to remain positive at all times and give their full commitment to their endeavors. Lim gave the following speech at the ceremony.
Prof. Liu Pak Wai, faculty members of the Faculty of Business Administration of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, my Citibank colleagues, ladies and gentlemen and students, good afternoon.
First of all, I believe that each young student assembled here today has been entrusted with an important task; each of you represents the future of Hong Kong. You may think its a grand statement, but the truth of the matter is that 'university students are the future pillars of Hong Kong.'
If we look back, Hong Kong has been reunified with China for ten years now. The local administration during this period, together with the British administration from the previous 99 years, established a strong foundation for Hong Kong. This small territory of islands may lack natural resources; but Hong Kong possesses an abundance of human resources.
Theres a saying, water can make a boat float or sink; a population may be an asset or a burden. In Hong Kong, human resources are invaluable assets. On the other hand, many countries rich in natural resources such as oil, suffer tremendously from political turmoil and corruption. Whether oil is a resource or a burden, its a question worth reflecting upon.
Students Make the University
I want the students here to appreciate that you make the university; the university doesnt make you. Your conduct, the quality of your work and your future success give the university value and builds its reputation.
Many employers will hope to hire graduates from CUHK. Thats why you all play an important role here; your conduct and performance affect the reputation of the university. Thats why you must strive to acquire knowledge from your professors, bring your skills and talents to fruition, thereby bringing glory to your university. You should believe that this is not an unattainable goal. I have faith in your ability to succeed, just as I have faith that Professor Lius achievements will add to the reputation of his alma mater, Standford University.
When I was in the United States, I sent my children to private schools. The private schools were elite institutions; apart from interviewing the students, they also interviewed the parents. I remember I was asked what I expected from the school. I said I expected the school to teach my children three things.
1) Competence in Languages and Communication
I wanted my children to be well versed in language and communication. They should have a good command of English be able to read, speak, and to write well in English because English was the international language of commerce. Furthermore, I assumed even high school students knew that China was a rising power and its influence was far-reaching, from the neighboring Pacific to the distant Atlantic. Therefore other than a good command of English, it was equally important to have a command of the Chinese language.
I suppose, as students of business, you already have a basic understanding of accounting. To a certain extent, accounting is a language, a form of written language. Like sheet music, accounting is a specific kind of written language that allows diverse groups to communicate with each other. With written notes, musicians are able to read and play the same piece of music regardless of the kind of instruments they play. Likewise, accounting is the language of the business world. Knowing the fundamentals of accounting will enable you to read and analyze financial statements. In this respect, the languages you must master are English, Chinese and accounting.
Getting back to the private school my sons attended, I told the school that I wanted my children to be well versed in languages, and to be articulate. Because in life, not only does one need an IQ (intelligence) but also an EQ (emotional intelligence) to succeed. Being able to express oneself and to write well are equally important.
2) The Power of Logic
The second thing I wanted for my children was an understanding of logic. In other words, I wanted my children to have a strong foundation in mathematics. Mathematics is a subject that is based on logic; it teaches you how to reason, how to deduce, how to interpret and arrive at a conclusion. Obviously, as university students, you learn many things besides mathematics. But what you need most is to learn how to think, how to ask questions. If you dont have the answers, at least know how to get to the core of the matter and ask the right questions.
3) Time Management Skills
The third thing I wanted to teach my children was time management. They should learn to organize their time, to arrange their schedules. Schools should give students adequate homework and activities, teaching them how to use their time well. Although each of us only has 24 hours a day, from experience, I know that a busy person learns to make better use of his time. Relatively speaking, those who have more free time often accomplish less; those who have more responsibilities end up accomplishing more. You may find this observation surprising, but the fact is that outstanding individuals have learned to use and schedule their time well. They become more efficient over time.
As Ive said before, all of you have already embarked on the journey to create Hong Kongs future. Youve chosen the field of commerce for your future career. Citibank is proud to be able to participate in this process and to help you reach your career goal. Through this course, I hope to share our experience as well as essential knowledge from the banking industry. I have gone over the course modules. The topics covered are incredibly comprehensive.
The Multitude of Banking Services
When I married, my wife and her friends thought that my job at the bank only involved counting money. In fact, the banking business hosts a multitude of practices and services. There is consumer banking, investment banking, corporate banking, trading, sales and etc. Im hoping that in three months time, you will have a deeper understanding of the banking industry and get a taste of the financial sector. I assume that youve made finance your career choice because its your cup of tea something that you can take pleasure in as you strive for success in the future.
In the course of the next few months, you will get to know the range of career options and decide what area you wish to pursue. I will just say: consumer banking is quite dynamic. The credit card business is not as boring as it seems because it involves the application of statistics. Trading can be very interesting too; you see changes in exchange rates and interest rates as they happen across countless computer screens. In investment banking, you have mergers and acquisitions. If youre in corporate banking, youll be involved with loan negotiations. Banking is an exciting world, some people thrive on the frontlines while others provide support in the back office. I suppose in the next three months, youll get a taste of what banking is all about and find the area that suits you.
Commitment in Corporate Social Responsibility
As Professor Liu mentioned, for Citibankers, teaching requires a lot of time and effort; it is a great responsibility. I expect all senior members of our management team to give their best in this important role, thereby continuing Citis tradition of responsible corporate culture.
Among the staff recruited for Citi, there were graduates from the local universities as well as high caliber candidates from the overseas. I believe that the local talent level matches that of foreign talents.
Acceptance into this banking course involved a rigorous selection process. The competition was fierce; only 50 outstanding students were admitted to the program. By the end of this three months period, we may invite students to join our internship at Citibank. As for the top students, well send them to New York, giving them the opportunity to experience Wall Street. I dont know if youve been there before, but to be able to work in the field of finance on Wall Street is as exciting as it gets.
Advice for Students Who Opt for a Career in Banking
Remember to study hard, do a good job, and savor this learning experience. As Citi Country Officer, one of my management philosophies is that I always ensure that my management team looks forward to their time spent at work. Other than sleeping hours, my staff spends most of their time working. If they didnt enjoy their work, they would be miserable.
So when you study, appreciate the process. When youre passionate about something, enthusiasm follows. Enjoy what you do and your passion will only grow. My advice is, whatever you do, invest energy and commitment and I guarantee youll succeed.
My general attitude is, whether the work is interesting or not, whether or not its challenging, do it well. Even if its the simplest thing youve learned, you should understand the essence so well that if you close your eyes, youre able to explain it inside and out. Once you grasp the basic principles, even if you forget it later, your logic will lead you back, and allow you to use them in different applications.
Finally, Im delighted that those of you present here have made it to this banking course. I hope that youre anticipating exciting learning experience in the three months ahead. I hope youll be able to acquire precious knowledge and to learn from the experience of the Citibankers, who come to CUHK to teach. If you cant benefit from their teaching, please let me know. I will talk it over with them.
The world stands before you. Ive worked all over the world, and Hong Kong is the sixth assignment. I feel very fortunate to be able to work in Hong Kong at this point of time. I think there are a lot of things in the world waiting for you to discover and explore. Once again, congratulations on your successful enrollment in this course. I wish you happiness and success in your studies.
When you study, appreciate the process. When youre passionate about something, enthusiasm follows. Enjoy what you do and your passion will only grow. My advice is, whatever you do, invest energy and commitment and I guarantee youll succeed.
Sim Lim
For more Info: http://www.citibank.com.hk.
At the inauguration ceremony held recently, Mr. Sim Lim, Citi Country Officer for Hong Kong, shared his personal experiences with the students in attendance. He advised the students to remain positive at all times and give their full commitment to their endeavors. Lim gave the following speech at the ceremony.
Prof. Liu Pak Wai, faculty members of the Faculty of Business Administration of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, my Citibank colleagues, ladies and gentlemen and students, good afternoon.
First of all, I believe that each young student assembled here today has been entrusted with an important task; each of you represents the future of Hong Kong. You may think its a grand statement, but the truth of the matter is that 'university students are the future pillars of Hong Kong.'
If we look back, Hong Kong has been reunified with China for ten years now. The local administration during this period, together with the British administration from the previous 99 years, established a strong foundation for Hong Kong. This small territory of islands may lack natural resources; but Hong Kong possesses an abundance of human resources.
Theres a saying, water can make a boat float or sink; a population may be an asset or a burden. In Hong Kong, human resources are invaluable assets. On the other hand, many countries rich in natural resources such as oil, suffer tremendously from political turmoil and corruption. Whether oil is a resource or a burden, its a question worth reflecting upon.
Students Make the University
I want the students here to appreciate that you make the university; the university doesnt make you. Your conduct, the quality of your work and your future success give the university value and builds its reputation.
Many employers will hope to hire graduates from CUHK. Thats why you all play an important role here; your conduct and performance affect the reputation of the university. Thats why you must strive to acquire knowledge from your professors, bring your skills and talents to fruition, thereby bringing glory to your university. You should believe that this is not an unattainable goal. I have faith in your ability to succeed, just as I have faith that Professor Lius achievements will add to the reputation of his alma mater, Standford University.
When I was in the United States, I sent my children to private schools. The private schools were elite institutions; apart from interviewing the students, they also interviewed the parents. I remember I was asked what I expected from the school. I said I expected the school to teach my children three things.
1) Competence in Languages and Communication
I wanted my children to be well versed in language and communication. They should have a good command of English be able to read, speak, and to write well in English because English was the international language of commerce. Furthermore, I assumed even high school students knew that China was a rising power and its influence was far-reaching, from the neighboring Pacific to the distant Atlantic. Therefore other than a good command of English, it was equally important to have a command of the Chinese language.
I suppose, as students of business, you already have a basic understanding of accounting. To a certain extent, accounting is a language, a form of written language. Like sheet music, accounting is a specific kind of written language that allows diverse groups to communicate with each other. With written notes, musicians are able to read and play the same piece of music regardless of the kind of instruments they play. Likewise, accounting is the language of the business world. Knowing the fundamentals of accounting will enable you to read and analyze financial statements. In this respect, the languages you must master are English, Chinese and accounting.
Getting back to the private school my sons attended, I told the school that I wanted my children to be well versed in languages, and to be articulate. Because in life, not only does one need an IQ (intelligence) but also an EQ (emotional intelligence) to succeed. Being able to express oneself and to write well are equally important.
2) The Power of Logic
The second thing I wanted for my children was an understanding of logic. In other words, I wanted my children to have a strong foundation in mathematics. Mathematics is a subject that is based on logic; it teaches you how to reason, how to deduce, how to interpret and arrive at a conclusion. Obviously, as university students, you learn many things besides mathematics. But what you need most is to learn how to think, how to ask questions. If you dont have the answers, at least know how to get to the core of the matter and ask the right questions.
3) Time Management Skills
The third thing I wanted to teach my children was time management. They should learn to organize their time, to arrange their schedules. Schools should give students adequate homework and activities, teaching them how to use their time well. Although each of us only has 24 hours a day, from experience, I know that a busy person learns to make better use of his time. Relatively speaking, those who have more free time often accomplish less; those who have more responsibilities end up accomplishing more. You may find this observation surprising, but the fact is that outstanding individuals have learned to use and schedule their time well. They become more efficient over time.
As Ive said before, all of you have already embarked on the journey to create Hong Kongs future. Youve chosen the field of commerce for your future career. Citibank is proud to be able to participate in this process and to help you reach your career goal. Through this course, I hope to share our experience as well as essential knowledge from the banking industry. I have gone over the course modules. The topics covered are incredibly comprehensive.
The Multitude of Banking Services
When I married, my wife and her friends thought that my job at the bank only involved counting money. In fact, the banking business hosts a multitude of practices and services. There is consumer banking, investment banking, corporate banking, trading, sales and etc. Im hoping that in three months time, you will have a deeper understanding of the banking industry and get a taste of the financial sector. I assume that youve made finance your career choice because its your cup of tea something that you can take pleasure in as you strive for success in the future.
In the course of the next few months, you will get to know the range of career options and decide what area you wish to pursue. I will just say: consumer banking is quite dynamic. The credit card business is not as boring as it seems because it involves the application of statistics. Trading can be very interesting too; you see changes in exchange rates and interest rates as they happen across countless computer screens. In investment banking, you have mergers and acquisitions. If youre in corporate banking, youll be involved with loan negotiations. Banking is an exciting world, some people thrive on the frontlines while others provide support in the back office. I suppose in the next three months, youll get a taste of what banking is all about and find the area that suits you.
Commitment in Corporate Social Responsibility
As Professor Liu mentioned, for Citibankers, teaching requires a lot of time and effort; it is a great responsibility. I expect all senior members of our management team to give their best in this important role, thereby continuing Citis tradition of responsible corporate culture.
Among the staff recruited for Citi, there were graduates from the local universities as well as high caliber candidates from the overseas. I believe that the local talent level matches that of foreign talents.
Acceptance into this banking course involved a rigorous selection process. The competition was fierce; only 50 outstanding students were admitted to the program. By the end of this three months period, we may invite students to join our internship at Citibank. As for the top students, well send them to New York, giving them the opportunity to experience Wall Street. I dont know if youve been there before, but to be able to work in the field of finance on Wall Street is as exciting as it gets.
Advice for Students Who Opt for a Career in Banking
Remember to study hard, do a good job, and savor this learning experience. As Citi Country Officer, one of my management philosophies is that I always ensure that my management team looks forward to their time spent at work. Other than sleeping hours, my staff spends most of their time working. If they didnt enjoy their work, they would be miserable.
So when you study, appreciate the process. When youre passionate about something, enthusiasm follows. Enjoy what you do and your passion will only grow. My advice is, whatever you do, invest energy and commitment and I guarantee youll succeed.
My general attitude is, whether the work is interesting or not, whether or not its challenging, do it well. Even if its the simplest thing youve learned, you should understand the essence so well that if you close your eyes, youre able to explain it inside and out. Once you grasp the basic principles, even if you forget it later, your logic will lead you back, and allow you to use them in different applications.
Finally, Im delighted that those of you present here have made it to this banking course. I hope that youre anticipating exciting learning experience in the three months ahead. I hope youll be able to acquire precious knowledge and to learn from the experience of the Citibankers, who come to CUHK to teach. If you cant benefit from their teaching, please let me know. I will talk it over with them.
The world stands before you. Ive worked all over the world, and Hong Kong is the sixth assignment. I feel very fortunate to be able to work in Hong Kong at this point of time. I think there are a lot of things in the world waiting for you to discover and explore. Once again, congratulations on your successful enrollment in this course. I wish you happiness and success in your studies.
When you study, appreciate the process. When youre passionate about something, enthusiasm follows. Enjoy what you do and your passion will only grow. My advice is, whatever you do, invest energy and commitment and I guarantee youll succeed.
Sim Lim
For more Info: http://www.citibank.com.hk.
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