ICBC Asia's new competition gives Hong Kong students a chance to test their fintech ideas beyond the classroom.
Updated
October 2, 2026 9:16 AM
Main Building of the University of Hong Kong. PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK
Hong Kong university students are being invited to take part in the first Hong Kong University Students Fintech Innovation Competition, organised by Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia). The competition gives students a chance to develop ideas around financial technology, with cash prizes, internship opportunities and a route to the national finals of the ICBC Cup on offer.
The competition is part of the 17th ICBC Cup and marks the first time ICBC has established a competition zone in Hong Kong. It is supported by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, with 12 Hong Kong universities also backing the initiative.
The participating universities are the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Lingnan University, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, the Education University of Hong Kong, Hang Seng University of Hong Kong and St. Francis University.
For ICBC Asia, the competition is also intended to support the development of fintech in Hong Kong and expand the city's fintech talent pool. Dr. Liu Yagan, Chairman and Executive Director of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia), said the competition is designed to encourage students to develop practical applications for financial technology and explore new banking business models.
"This competition encourages university students across Hong Kong to propose practical solutions for fintech applications and banking business model innovation from the perspective of financial products and services, providing a platform for Hong Kong youth to connect with cutting-edge industries and unleash their innovative potential."
The initiative will also connect Hong Kong students with the wider ICBC Group. Liu said this would help deepen exchanges between young talent in Hong Kong and the Mainland.
The competition is open to full-time university students in Hong Kong and carries the theme "Digital Banking, Creating the Future." Students can develop ideas across 10 areas, ranging from fintech and digital finance to green finance, inclusive finance, pension finance and wealth management. The categories also include financial security services, specialised financial services, youth services and open innovation services.
The competition also offers cash prizes: the First Prize winner will receive HK$50,000; two Second Prize winners will receive HK$30,000 each; three Third Prize winners will receive HK$20,000 each; and four Honorable Mention recipients will receive HK$10,000 each.
Beyond the prize money, qualifying winners will have the opportunity to undertake internships at ICBC (Asia). The team that wins the Hong Kong First Prize will also have the opportunity to travel to Beijing in December for the ICBC Cup national finals, where it will compete against teams from across the country.
With registration now open, the competition gives Hong Kong university students an opportunity to take ideas in financial technology from the classroom into areas such as banking products, services and business models.
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Endometriosis often takes years to diagnose. This ultrasound simulation innovation could help change that
Updated
April 13, 2026 3:18 PM
A group of women facing backwards. PHOTO: UNSPLASH
Endometriosis affects roughly one in ten women worldwide, yet diagnosing the condition often takes years. In many cases, patients experience symptoms for nearly a decade before receiving a confirmed diagnosis. One reason is that detecting endometriosis through ultrasound requires specialized training and clinicians do not always encounter enough real cases to build that expertise.
To address this gap, medical simulation company Surgical Science has introduced a new ultrasound training module designed specifically for identifying endometriosis. The system allows clinicians to practice scanning techniques in a virtual environment, helping them recognize signs of the disease without relying solely on real-patient cases.
A key feature of the simulator is training on the “sliding sign,” an ultrasound indicator used to detect deep endometriosis. Because the condition can appear differently from patient to patient, mastering this assessment in real clinical settings can be difficult. The simulator allows clinicians to repeat the process across multiple scenarios, improving their ability to identify the condition during routine examinations.
The module also incorporates the International Deep Endometriosis Analysis (IDEA) protocol, which provides a structured method for performing a complete pelvic ultrasound assessment. Additional training cases, region-based scenarios and certification options are included to support standardized learning.
Early training results suggest strong improvements in clinician confidence, including higher skill levels in transvaginal ultrasound and better recognition of deep endometriosis. By expanding access to structured ultrasound training, simulation tools like this could help reduce diagnostic delays and improve care for millions of women living with the condition.