Society of Actuaries recognizes Centers of Actuarial Excellence

For Immediate Release
Kim McKeown, Public Relations Manager
847.706.3528
kmckeown@soa.org

Schaumburg, Ill.—Two actuarial science programs in Hong Kong were recently named SOA Centers of Actuarial Excellence (CAE) by the Society of Actuaries (SOA). This fall the SOA piloted an expansion of the CAE program to universities in Hong Kong. The location of an SOA office in Hong Kong helped to facilitate this pilot. As a result, the SOA is pleased to announce that the actuarial science programs at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the University of Hong Kong join the 21 CAE schools that were awarded the designation previously from the SOA.

The programs at each of these schools met eight rigorous criteria and specific requirements related to degree, curriculum, graduate count, faculty composition, graduate quality, appropriate integration, connection to industry and research/scholarship in order to qualify for the CAE distinction.

"Universities that have been named Centers of Actuarial Excellence by the SOA truly exemplify the highest standards in actuarial education, research and scholarship," noted Bradley M. Smith, president of the SOA. "This accomplishment marks the first pilot for awarding the designation to schools outside of the U.S and Canada. I am honored to recognize them for this achievement and look forward to building solid relationships between these universities and the actuarial profession."

Schools that are designated CAE are eligible to compete for substantial multi-year education and research grants provided by the SOA.

Subject to their continued conformity to the CAE criteria, schools will maintain the CAE designation for a five-year period.

Previous universities that were named Centers of Actuarial Excellence are: University of Connecticut, Drake University, Georgia State University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois State University, University of Iowa, Université Laval, University of Manitoba, University of Michigan, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Pennsylvania State University, Université du Québec à Montréal, Robert Morris University, Simon Fraser University, St. John's University, University of St. Thomas, Temple University, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, University of Western Ontario, and University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Applications are accepted and reviewed annually in the Fall of each calendar year. Schools interested in applying for CAE status may visit the SOA Web site at this link soa.org/education/resources/cae/default.aspx for more details.

About the Society of Actuaries

The Society of Actuaries (SOA) is an educational, research and professional organization dedicated to serving the public and its members and candidates. The SOA's mission is to advance actuarial knowledge and to enhance the ability of actuaries to provide expert advice and relevant solutions for financial, business and societal problems. The SOA's vision is for actuaries to be the leading professionals in the measurement and management of risk.