Soochow University, Franklin Templeton Sign Industry-University Cooperative Agreement

On February 2nd, Soochow University and Franklin Templeton Investments signed an Industry-University Cooperative memorandum to help foster professionals in Finance and Investment. The signing ceremony held at the downtown campus of Soochow University was attended by President Wei-Ta Pan of Soochow and Founder of Franklin Templeton Investments Mr. Ji-Ren Liu. As per the agreement, the "Soochow University School of Business Franklin Lectures" will be starting with the 2016 school year. Summer and winter internships will also be offered, giving students the chance to put concepts learned into practice, and obtaining unique experience from this industry-university cooperation.

The course will also be introducing a dual-instructor system with university faculty members teaching basic investment theories and managers from Franklin Templeton Investments guiding discussions on practical and operational issues. With this syllabus the program will be able to help bridge the gap between academics and the industry. Students taking the class will have to participate in mock investment competitions through real-time online simulation systems, giving students the opportunity to practice investing in the stock market. Students who do well in the course will earn the chance to have internship, with pay, at Franklin Templeton Investments during summer and winter breaks. Such a comprehensive and well planned course will surely give students a better understanding of the investment industry.

President Wei-Ta Pan of Soochow University thanked Mr. Ji-Ren Liu for offering such valuable learning experience to benefit students from his alma mater. President Pan said it was his expectation that Soochow students will be able to make good use of Mr. Liu's generosity, that Soochow’s School of Business and Franklin Templeton Investments will maintain this partnership for years to come, and that this joint project will prove to be just the first step of more in-depth cooperation between Soochow University and Franklin Templeton Investments.