Nankai University has recently achieved a major breakthrough in actuarial education by successfully re-certifying all three VEE (Validation by Educational Experience) courses from the North American Actuarial Association (SOA). This accomplishment, which covers both undergraduate and graduate programs, greatly facilitates students’ efforts to pass SOA exams. 

With this certification, Nankai University students can apply for exemption from the three VEE courses by passing any two of the basic exams, enrolling in designated courses, and achieving a grade of B- (or 75% in a percentage system) or above. Currently, among the 117 universities in mainland China that have applied for SOA-VEE course certification, only 35% have obtained full exemption for all three courses. 

The application was led by Professor Zhang Lianzheng from the Actuarial Science Department at the School of Finance, with Professors Chen Xiaowei and Sun Jiamai collaborating on course planning and syllabus development. Master’s student Zhuang Yuan from the Class of 2022 was responsible for translation and coordination. 

The North American Actuarial Exams are among the most influential actuarial exams globally. The VEE certification courses are required for the ASA (Associate of the Society of Actuaries) and CERA (Chartered Enterprise Risk Analyst) series. The ASA series requires completion of three VEE courses: Economics, Accounting and Finance, and Mathematical Statistics. 

Actuarial Science is a traditional strength of Nankai University. It was one of the earliest universities in China to establish an actuarial science program, pioneering actuarial education and the actuarial profession in China and serving as a cradle for Chinese actuaries. Since the establishment of the actuarial science discipline in 1987, Nankai University has adhered to the educational philosophy of “balancing theory and practice, rooted in China while looking to the world.” After nearly 40 years of development, it has developed a distinctive “Nankai Model” in actuarial science, achieving substantial results in research, talent cultivation, social service, and international exchange, and continuously providing outstanding talents to the finance, insurance, and other industries both domestically and internationally.