On November 9, 2023, the Quantitative Finance Research Center of the School of Mathematical Sciences at Shanghai Jiao Tong University held its inauguration ceremony in Lecture Hall 300, Building 6 of the Science Complex. CAS Academician Prof. Peng Shige of Shandong University, Prof. Tang Shanjian of Fudan University, Prof. Li Juan of Shandong University, Chair Professor Dai Min of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Prof. Wang Tao of SJTU's Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance (SAIF), Associate Researcher Li Xudong from the Shanghai Head Office of the People's Bank of China, Liu Junwei (Executive Managing Director and Chief Quantitative & ESG Analyst of CICC Research), Wang Zhen (GM of Credit Business Management at Everbright Securities), Gao Xia (Deputy GM of International Business at SPD Bank HQ), Wang Zhenzhou (GM of Quantitative Investment Dept. at Taiping Asset Management), Xu Yuehong (Deputy GM of Institutional Investment at HuaBao Fund), Li Chenhao (Assistant GM of Financial Products at Haitong Securities), Chu Tianshu (Chief Index & Quantitative Officer at PAMC Fund), Han Yiling (Deputy Director of Quantitative Dept. at CITIC Prudential Fund), Xu Xiaobo (CEO of Ruitian Investment), Xie Dong (CEO of Luoshu Investment), Lu Weicheng and Chen Yibo from Changzhou Sunshine Dream Education Foundation, and Liu Minyi (Chairwoman of Shanghai JiaXi JingTang Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.) attended as invited representatives from academia and the financial industry. The School of Mathematical Sciences' leadership team and faculty representatives also attended. The ceremony was hosted by Dean Lou Yuan of the School of Mathematical Sciences.
Hong Mei, Party Secretary of the School of Mathematical Sciences, warmly welcomed all guests. She noted that SJTU has a proud tradition of academic excellence. The university attaches great importance to the development of mathematics, statistics, and other foundational disciplines. Through establishing the QFRC, the School aims to apply mathematics and statistics as its core disciplines, drive deep integration of digital technology with the real economy, advance digital industrialization and industrial digitalization, empower traditional industry transformation, cultivate new industries and business models, promote quantitative finance research in China, develop talent in big data, quantitative finance, and AI, further expand SJTU's influence in these fields domestically and internationally, and contribute to Shanghai's construction as an international financial center.
Academician Peng Shige reviewed the development history of financial mathematics in China. He noted that the establishment of the QFRC at Shanghai Jiao Tong University is an important milestone in the development of financial mathematics, as the Center benefits from Shanghai's geographic advantages, talent resources, and technological foundations. He encouraged all researchers to seize the opportunities of the data era and advance the Center's work in financial mathematics and quantitative finance to new heights through multi-dimensional collaboration.
Prof. Dai Min and Prof. Wang Tao expressed their delight at attending the inauguration. They recognized the successful collaborative experience between SJTU's School of Mathematical Sciences and their institutions in quantitative finance research and talent development, and expressed hope for more inter-institutional and inter-university collaboration and deeper cooperation with the QFRC in the future.
Witnessed by Party Secretary Hong Mei, Dean Lou Yuan, GM Wang Zhen, Executive MD Liu Junwei, and all distinguished guests, CAS Academician Peng Shige and QFRC Director Samuel Drapeau jointly unveiled the Center's plaque.
QFRC Director Samuel Drapeau presented the Center's development plan, covering its blueprint in scientific research, talent development, support systems, and team building. He expressed the hope of collaborating with domestic and international scholars and industry partners to conduct in-depth research on China's financial issues, helping the outside world understand the Chinese market, especially in quantitative finance.
Following the unveiling ceremony, roundtable forums for academia and industry were held. Experts engaged in in-depth discussions on quantitative finance education and research, the evolution of quantitative methods in the financial industry, and quantitative empowerment and talent development, sharing their unique perspectives and experiences. Speakers covered education, research, and practical applications. These discussions strengthened the shared understanding of the importance of quantitative methods between academia and industry, and will promote collaborative innovation and development in related disciplines and financial practice.
The Quantitative Finance Research Center of the School of Mathematical Sciences at Shanghai Jiao Tong University will proactively align with national and societal development strategies, seize the opportunities presented by the rapid global growth of quantitative finance, big data, and artificial intelligence, and leverage its unique geographic, technological, and talent advantages to accelerate the development of an influential research and innovation hub centered on big data and focused on the frontier of quantitative finance.