Programs

The SAIF International Youth Leadership Finance Summit (IYLFS), hosted by the Master of Finance program at Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance (SAIF), invites driven undergraduate students worldwide to experience an immersive finance summit in Shanghai. IYLFS has been successfully held for 13 editions, each year addressing the most trending topics — from quantitative investment to AI unicorns — offering students fresh and unique challenges. Over the years, IYLFS has become one of the most prestigious and influential finance competitions in China and is increasingly recognized on the global stage. Earlier, the 2025-2026 IYLFS concluded in Shanghai — and it was nothing short of inspiring. A truly immersive global platform Over 1,000 applicants from top universities worldwide, 28 finalist teams, and 100+ young talents gathered on-site. With 15% of participants being international students and over 40% of our MF program's international students coming from QS top‑50 institutions, IYLFS is a genuine cross‑cultural exchange where future financial leaders learn, compete, and grow together. AI is reshaping how we think and create As Professor Xianglin Li, Academic Director of SAIF MF, put it: "AI has moved far beyond a simple tool — it is fundamentally changing the way we think and create." This year's theme, Hunt the Next AI Unicorn, challenged students to explore six cutting-edge AI tracks — from emotional companionship to productivity, education to creative content, health to gaming. Participants conducted real‑world case studies, interviewed founders, and built business analysis reports on live AI ventures. More than a competition — building core competencies for the future IYLFS was never just about winning. It was designed as an intensive learning journey: Expert insights from VCs, tech leaders, and AI professors. Systematic training on AI fundamentals, investment trends, and unicorn case studies. Hands‑on analytics that train students to think like investors and builders. We are incredibly proud of the 28 teams that advanced to the final round, and congratulations to the award winners! Thank you to all participants, judges, and partners — including CFA Institute — for making IYLFS a milestone event. And a special thanks to our MF student hosts and volunteers. The future of finance is being written by young leaders like you. Let's keep hunting the next unicorn — together.

Part 1: International Culture Booths We brought the world to SAIF!  On our first International Culture Day, guests with their “Culture Exploration Passports” embarked on a global tour across 11 country booths—all without leaving Shanghai. They sipped Armenian juices, crafted Belarusian keychains with traditional patterns, and admired French perfume & croissant-shaped ornaments. They savored German Haribo gummies while solving quizzes, lined up for intricate Indian Mehndi art, and learned about Indonesia’s “Angklung” bamboo instrument. Many tried coloring Russian Matryoshka dolls, enjoyed a traditional Russian tea ceremony, and debated UK trivia for classic British souvenirs. They played chess with Uzbek fabrics, marveled at the Vietnamese tea cup dance, and experienced China’s ancient arts of calligraphy, tea brewing, and Weiqi. At the “Joinjoy” booth, wishes in many languages covered a “Wall of Blessings.” The final stop? Redeeming a full passport for a cute SAIF-limited bear! This was where “Global Voices” met “SAIF Choices”—a true celebration of hands-on cultural exchange. Part 2: Performances & Games The energy on stage was electric! From start to finish, our talented MF community showcased a spectacular array of performances. It kicked off with an energetic group dance “JUMP.” The show unfolded with a powerful chorus “Dragon Scales Under Heaven,” soulful solos like “Big City, Little Love” and “Suzhou River,” the graceful Xinjiang dance “Xinjiang Is a Good Place,” the evocative Chinese-style song “Marionette Opera,” and Toby’s elegant cello piece “Le Cygne.” The climax came with Soumya's stunning Bollywood fusion dance and an alumni’s heartfelt dialect rap “Night Talk at SAIF,” based on his real MF journey, which ignited the crowd! Between acts, interactive games like “Music Library” sing-off and “Draw & Guess” had everyone laughing and participating. The grand finale united performers and the audience in a powerful, moving chorus of “Viva La Vida.” This wasn’t just a show—it was the vibrant, collective heartbeat of “Global Voices, SAIF Choices.” Sound on for the magic!  It was more than an event—it was a vibrant heartbeat of our community, where finance met culture and new friendships were born over shared laughter and discovery. As SAIF MF Program Head Ms. Yang said, diversity here is how we truly learn and grow together. This day brought that belief to life. Catch the highlights, feel the joy, and see how "Global Voices" made their "SAIF Choices."