Program Overview

Many of us have had to face a new reality of working at a distance, requiring us to take new approaches to how we work, and adapt the products and services our organizations offer. As distributed work continues to rise in popularity, there are already signs that these changes may lead to a “new normal”. Facebook, Twitter and Shopify are among several companies who are moving the majority of their workforces online, permanently.

Working remotely has many benefits, including increased employee productivity and satisfaction. Yet, it is not without its challenges: many individuals and organizations struggle to effectively adapt their businesses and interactions with others online.

Human-centered design (HCD) principles are used by successful companies worldwide to transform thinking and inspire innovation. This professional certificate program teaches you how to apply HCD strategies to reinvent your work reality, and support others who are doing the same.

Each module includes inspiring video conversations with guest speakers from a range of industries, including physiotherapy, game design, ecommerce, health and communications, and more. Uncover how these people have transformed their work from a distance, and apply strategies and best practices gleaned from these case studies to reimagine your own work at a distance.

Gain a toolkit of visual maps based on design processes used by the digital media, game, arts, medical, and emerging technology sectors. And reflect, adapt and prototype actionable solutions to solve a variety of remote work challenges.

This professional certificate program is taught by UBC Professor Patrick Pennefather, a strategic design expert who has taught human-centered design and scalable MVP’s (minimum viable prototypes) strategies to a range of institutions, nonprofits and corporations over the past 15 years.

Job Outlook

• The World Economic Forum has ranked problem solving, critical thinking and creativity – the fundamental elements of human-centered design – as the top three skills employees will need to thrive in the workplaces of the future (World Economic Forum, 2016).
• Design methodology is in high demand: according to Rutgers research using Burning Glass Labour Market Data, between 2016 and 2018 there was a 200% increase in jobs requiring design thinking skills (compared to a 6% increase in all positions).
• Human-centered design skills are particularly valuable in a climate of disruption. Design methodology can help solve complex human problems spanning multiple industries, such as the challenges of working at a distance.
• Distributed work is on the rise, and has been even prior to COVID-19. Gallup data showed 43% of U.S employees worked remotely in some capacity in 2017, a 4% rise from 2012.
• According to a 2020 Gartner survey, 74% of CFOs plan to shift at least 5% of their previously on-site employees to ongoing remote positions, even after COVID-19 has subsided.
• Distributed work has many benefits, including a lack of commute and more time. A 2020 Gitlab survey found that 52% of respondents found themselves to be “more productive” when working remotely.

Program Overview

In this Professional Certificate program you will learn the tools, techniques and concepts needed to build a basic iOS app, from scratch.

Find out how to program in Swift and utilise the iOS Software Development Kit (SDK) and Apple developer tools (Xcode, debugger, analyzer and iOS Simulator) to create mobile apps which can be sold via the App Store.

In each course you will work through a range of lessons and projects which will focus on Swift programming and teach you about various aspects of app development. These lessons will provide you with the practical, hands-on skills needed to embark on a career in app development.

In addition, a number of app development companies will share their experiences in building and developing apps so you can find out what it really takes to turn your brilliant idea into a functioning product.

Job Outlook

• Organisations are increasingly utilising mobile applications to deliver their products and services. Accordingly, we’ve seen an increased demand in the job market for experienced Mobile App Developers with native iOS and Android development experience.
• Median salary for iOS Developer = AUD$70-$100,000 (in Australia) (Hudson Salary Guide 2018) (Hays Salary Guide 2018) or USD$40,000 – USD $80,000 (in the USA).
• Career prospects for people with similar training include Application Developer, Mobile App Developer, Web and Mobile Application Developer, Software Developer, iOS Developer.

• What FinTech is and how it is transforming the world of finance around the world.
• Understand the major technologies involved in FinTech and the major players in the market, including startups, TechFins, traditional financial institutions and regulators.
• Learn about blockchain, its design, uses, potential and limitations.
• The opportunities of FinTech but also the risks and challenges of the technological transformation of finance.
• Understand not only the current landscape but also develop the tools to understand future trends and developments.
• Application of technology is not only transforming finance but also the employment needs of the industry, increasing the need for multidisciplinary understanding of technology, finance and regulation.
• 84% of insurers will increase FinTech partnerships over the next 3-5 years. (Source: PwC)
• 77% of firms expect to adopt blockchain as part of an in production system or process by 2020. (Source: PwC)
• Automation in finance is dramatically changing the needs of financial industry participants, necessitating re-skilling across large scopes of the employment landscape.

Program Overview

Nominated for the 2020 edX Prize

Finance and technology have a very long history of intertwined evolution, from the earliest coins to today’s cryptocurrencies. However, in the past decade, the speed of change combined with an ever-increasing range of new entrants – from startups to tech firms, from global markets to emerging markets – are transforming the world of finance at an unprecedented pace. This can be seen most clearly in the context of large emerging markets including China and India.

In this interdisciplinary Professional Certificate program in FinTech, you will learn about the world of FinTech and the opportunities and challenges it is bringing around the world. The Professional Certificate program will give you the tools to understand the interaction of finance and technology across the financial system as well as insight into the major technologies involved and the emerging business models and players in the industry.

This program is designed for those working in finance, technology, regulation or FinTech, those studying related subjects, or those just interested in learning more about one of the most exciting processes underway today. Each course brings together leading experts in FinTech from a range of backgrounds, including professors, market professionals and entrepreneurs. Designed by leading academics from a range of disciplines with input from industry leaders including among others SuperCharger, the Centre for Finance, Technology and Entrepreneurship, Microsoft, PwC and the Asia Capital Markets Institute, each course will provide the tools necessary to transform one’s own future in FinTech. Over each week of each course, you will gain greater understanding of the key trends in finance, technology and regulation, to better prepare for not only the opportunities but also the risks and challenges, including to traditional financial institutions and business models and those working in them.

The University of Hong Kong is one of the world’s leading universities, with a global reputation in the areas of finance, law and technology. FinTech is one of HKU’s identified areas of strategic interdisciplinary research and teaching, and HKU offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in FinTech and a range of related subjects.

Learners who complete theThe Introduction to FinTech course are qualified as ‘Certified FinTech Professional’ under the Global Academy of Finance and Management (GAFM)

Courses in this program

Introduction to FinTech

Learn from leading academics and practitioners from around the world about the innovations, technology and regulation driving the transformation of finance.

FinTech Ethics and Risks

Learn how individuals and organizations can utilize and regulate blockchain, AI, and other FinTech solutions to ensure their adoption does not come at the expense of societal growth.

Blockchain and FinTech: Basics, Applications, and Limitations

Understand the design rationale of blockchain technology, its emerging platforms and applications and uncover the limitations and the opportunities enabled by blockchain applications, particularly as it relates to finance.

Job Outlook

• Application of technology is not only transforming finance but also the employment needs of the industry, increasing the need for multidisciplinary understanding of technology, finance and regulation.
• 84% of insurers will increase FinTech partnerships over the next 3-5 years. (Source: PwC)
• 77% of firms expect to adopt blockchain as part of an in production system or process by 2020. (Source: PwC)
• Automation in finance is dramatically changing the needs of financial industry participants, necessitating re-skilling across large scopes of the employment landscape.

Program Overview

Engage and inspire students through technology.

Learn how to create enhanced learning opportunities using the latest tools and techniques to connect with today’s digital-first students.

Our unique approach to instructional design focuses on understanding learning theory, blending traditional instructional design models with rapid prototyping and data analytics to create online courses. You will gain hands-on experience developing and publishing online courses using the edX platform.

This Instructional Design and Technology MicroMasters program will provide the knowledge and skills needed to capitalize on one of the fastest growing areas of education – online teaching and learning. This program will prepare you to create engaging and active learning, using digital pedagogy, emerging technologies and data analytics.

Through this program you will learn how to design captivating learning experiences for students who want mobile learning opportunities that are collaborative and accessible, while advancing your knowledge of educational theory.

Program Overview

Innovation. Creativity. Strategic thinking. In the past year, more than 279,000 job postings have listed these skills. Another 239,000 mention design thinking.*

Why has design thinking become one of the most sought-after skills? Employers are looking for problem solving, creativity, critical thinking, and analytical skills to enhance the capabilities of their employees to lead their companies into a successful future. Design thinking was developed out of the processes used by designers including user understanding and user experience, however, its application may be used to address non-product oriented problems as well –from innovating new product or service possibilities to implementing procedural change, or identifying a new strategic direction for the company.

In the Design Thinking MicroMasters program, you will learn how to use the design thinking process to solve problems creatively, collaboratively and empathetically. Earning the MicroMasters program certificate will equip you with knowledge of the processes and techniques used to solve problems and innovate in the workplace.

* Source: Burning Glass Technologies