As global thinking shifts towards sustainable investing, there are significant opportunities for Singapore to reap the rewards of a greener economy. But there are still gaps in the picture. A key step in changing the green economy landscape is to nurture talents who can shape the future for better environmental and social outcomes, both in Singapore and beyond.
The upcoming Master of Science in Sustainable and Green Finance (MSc SGF) programme, starting in August this year, aims to train sustainable and green finance experts to meet the evolving challenges of this fast-growing sector. Launched in collaboration with NUS’ Sustainable and Green Finance Institute (SGFIN), the programme is the first of its kind to be offered by a top Asian university.
Associate Professor Zhang Weina, Academic Director, MSc SGF (left) and Aaron Goh, Director, MSc Programmes Office.
“Banks have started to finance environmentally friendly activities via green bonds. As such, we want, and need to be at the forefront of the curve, educating our future global finance leaders in sustainable and green finance,” said Aaron Goh, Director, MSc Programmes Office.
The programme aims to produce Asian talent with institutional knowledge and background, and contextualised understanding of the region’s sustainable challenges. These graduates would help drive the growth of greener economies in Asia.
“Society at large can benefit from the changed mindset and behaviour of our graduates, their employers, and their circle of influences to practice sustainability in both work and living environments,” said Associate Professor Zhang Weina, the programme’s Academic Director.
The graduates would be able to integrate best practices to help firms find sustainable business models and use financial products services to direct capital flows and investment to reward and finance sustainable firms and projects, according to Weina.
The programme offers a rigorous classroom environment, Asian-based indigenous and contextualised teaching materials and case studies, and practical group projects.
SGFIN and NUS Business School are bringing in business experts, corporate partners, and innovators in sustainable finance to help coach the students.
“The programme will appeal to students and young executives who have a strong interest in this specialisation of finance and want to build up their knowledge and networks in sustainable and green finance,” said Aaron.
The programme aims to admit about 35 to 40 students for the first cohort. Applications are ongoing and end on 30 April 2022.
