Musavvir KHAN

BSc in Risk Management Science
HSBC

Last year, I had the opportunity to intern with HSBC’s Global Risk Analytics Department on the Traded Risk team. As a placement intern for 6 months, my focus was on various Market Risk and Stress Testing activities.

The Traded Risk team serves as the first line of defence for the APAC region's trading desk activities. Upon identifying risks, the team analyses them and applies relevant mathematical and statistical models built by the modelling teams. On the Market Risk side, I performed a peer review analysis based on the Pillar 3 reports of the GSIBs, conducted a gap risk analysis for the USD–CNY volatility curve, executed VaR and sVaR shock analyses for USD and JPY curves, and summarised the proposed Basel 3.1 regulations. In Stress Testing, I assisted the team in updating model methodologies and acted as the model risk manager for one model, aiming to improve its efficiency and accuracy using Python. I also performed annual model monitoring and built a tool to test model effectiveness.

A notable aspect of the internship was the emphasis on teamwork and collaboration. By working in diverse groups, I experienced an environment where different perspectives and ideas were welcomed. This not only enhanced my problem-solving skills but also taught me the importance of effective communication and interpersonal relationships in the workplace.

The internship required a good understanding of financial products, stochastic calculus, programming and statistical modelling. The RMSC programme curriculum provided me with a solid foundation in statistics and finance and applied knowledge of programming in R, VBA, and Python, which helped me stand out during the placement. Furthermore, the one-credit RMSC courses incorporated soft skills that helped me to secure the internship and thrive in a professional environment.

Overall, the RMSC curriculum, coupled with the internship experience, has given me the confidence to tackle challenges and excel in a professional setting. I am grateful to HSBC and the RMSC Department for this opportunity and the support that I have received during my time at the university.

Sabrina SO

BSc in Risk Management Science
University of Toronto, Canada

During my exchange study in University of Toronto, I studied in Surveying modeling, probability and different distribution in Statistic and linear algebra in Mathematics. I also participating in various activities organized by different societies in the university, in which, I met lots of friends from all over the world and they enriched my exchange life a lot.

Apart from my study, this exchange experience helped me to be more independent and developed a clearer vision about my future and life goal. During the exchange, I lived in a town house with 3 roommates. Everyone has her own style of living and we need to learn to accommodate each other’s’ habit in order to live together. This strengthened my emotion and my cares towards others which is very important in ones’ personal development.
As a year 4 student, I also feel very frustrated about the future career path. The exchange period provided me a relax environment to experience more, learn more, meet more people. Under the relaxing, self-motivated and self-managed exchange life, I understand more about myself and discover the targets that I am longing for. Now, I have a clear goal that I work hard for.

I hope to express my sincere gratitude to the support from department and the sponsorship for my exchange study. This exchange does not merely give me a chance to explore more about the world, it also helps to equip me with more god personalities and strengths when encountering hardship. It enriches my life and enriches others’ life at the same time. During the exchange, I give advice and help to others. One day in the future, I will give what I receive to other student so that they can also gain a precious experience in their life time as what I can get now.