From Bundesbank to Blockchain: HKMU Students in Berlin

“China moves at a fast pace, more like a highspeed highway, whereas Germany and the EU are rather slow and place greater emphasis on structure, trust and safety.” This is how one student described the different approaches to innovation in the financial sector.

39 students from the fields of finance and fintech at our partner university, Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU), visited our campus together with their lecturer Dr Vivian Li for a tailor-made study trip. During their two-week stay in May, the participants experienced an intensive academic and cultural programme. This was the third time a study group from HKMU had visited Berlin.

The students deepened their knowledge in the areas of market entry, negotiation skills and the Berlin innovation ecosystem. Through guest lectures and company visits, they met representatives from the banking sector, such as Raisin, the Deutsche Bundesbank, and the DSGV (German Savings Banks and Giro Association), thereby gaining valuable insights into the German financial sector.

The topic of cryptocurrency in particular was new territory for many students, as buying and selling it is prohibited in China, whilst in Hong Kong it is strictly regulated but nevertheless permitted. They learnt about the opportunities and risks of this unique market and critically examined the differing regulations in the EU and Germany.

Alongside the academic programme, there was no shortage of cultural experiences. The group visited numerous cultural institutions, including the Berlin Wall Memorial and the Topography of Terror – impressive encounters with Berlin’s contemporary history. Successful international cooperation requires a convergence of culture and business, according to one Hong Kong student: “We must understand culture first, then business”.