This week UBS welcomed graduates of the inaugural UBS Youth Finance Academy, a program that introduces pre-tertiary students to the world of finance and business. The Swiss bank marked this milestone with 50 graduates from 18 pre-tertiary institutions in an inaugural graduation ceremony officiated by Mr. Edmund Koh, Country Head of UBS Singapore and Ms. Ong Puay See, Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Banking and Finance.
The inaugural UBS Youth Finance Academy was announced last September to celebrate the 50th anniversary of UBS in Asia and the 50th anniversary of Singapore.
It serves as the focal point for UBS's efforts to provide education and development opportunities to youths in Singapore and aims to inspire, increase awareness and deepen understanding on banking and finance careers and what it takes to work in the industry. The program will also provides a glimpse into how the financial industry works through interactive sessions facilitated by UBS's subject matter experts.
Singapore's financial sector forms approximately 12 percent of Singapore's GDP, with about 1,000 financial institutions performing roles in Singapore, the region and globally, employing almost 190,000 people locally.
By exposing interested students to potential banking and finance careers at the pre-tertiary level, UBS aims to strengthen the talent pipeline in Singapore and support continued growth of this sector. Approximately 50 students will be selected to participate each year, gaining industry insights and networking opportunities through this program.
Mr. Edmund Koh, Country Head of UBS Singapore said: "As Singapore continues to gain greater importance as a global financial center, it is important to nurture more young Singaporean bankers for the finance industry here and in the region. It is thus our plan to introduce Singapore's top pre-tertiary students to the world of finance and business, and build the Singapore core in the process. By giving pre-tertiary students valuable exposure to the depth and breadth of career opportunities available in the finance industry, we hope to spark their interest and encourage them to regard this sector as a potential career opportunity. UBS collaborates with industry partners, schools and government organizations to further plant the seed of interest, in the hope of cultivating home-grown talent that can stand shoulder-to shoulder with the best in the world".
Ms. Ong Puay See, Chief Executive Officer of IBF said: “We commend UBS’s commitment in providing pre-tertiary students with insights into the financial services industry via its Youth Academy Program. It is important that our youths, as aspiring practitioners and potential industry leaders of the future, have a good understanding of what a career in finance entails, and be equipped with the right capabilities to drive the growth of the financial sector. IBF is pleased to partner UBS in sharing the IBF Standards as a training roadmap for careers in the financial sector.”
Participating schools and polytechnics for 2015 included Anglo-Chinese Junior College, Anglo-Chinese Independent School, Catholic Junior College, Dunman High School, Hwa Chong Institution, Innova Junior College, Nanyang Junior College, National Junior College, NUS High School of Math & Science, Nanyang Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Raffles Institution, Republic Polytechnic, St. Andrew's Junior College, Singapore Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic, Victoria Junior College and Yishun Junior College.
