Mumbai, 23rd October 2024 – Zell Education successfully hosted an exclusive roundtable conference, bringing together esteemed Vice-Chancellors and Deans from top universities across India to discuss and redefine the future of finance education. The event with Deloitte as a major partner, aimed to foster greater collaboration between academia and industry, preparing students to meet the demands of an evolving global workforce and explore cutting-edge educational approaches.
The roundtable, focusing on emerging trends such as fintech and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, was designed to encourage a holistic transformation in finance education. Experts from both academia and industry deliberated on the best ways to prepare the next generation of financial professionals for the complexities of tomorrow’s global economy.
Pratham Barot, CEO & Co-Founder of Zell Education, addressed the gathering, stating, “At Zell Education, we believe the future of fintech and ESG lies in nurturing leaders who can integrate these concepts into sustainable business models. Our goal is to empower students not just with theoretical knowledge, but with practical skills honed through experiential learning. By collaborating closely with industry partners, we’re creating educational pathways that prepare students for the complex challenges of tomorrow’s financial landscape. Our focus is on developing professionals who are not only capable employees but innovative leaders ready to shape the future of finance.”
The central theme of the conference was to identify actionable solutions that would shape finance education for the future. By aligning academic frameworks with evolving industry needs, Zell Education seeks to ensure that students are equipped with relevant skills to thrive in a rapidly shifting professional environment.
Mr. Suresh Prabhu, Hon. Former Cabinet Minister & Chancellor, also graced the event, reiterating the need to rethink finance education. He underscored the importance of creating an engaging and adaptive educational environment, one that bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, particularly in the fintech space. According to Mr. Prabhu, preparing students for the challenges of a complex financial landscape is key to the future of education.
The roundtable featured two thought-provoking panel discussions. The first panel examined the rise of ESG principles and their growing relevance within the Indian economy. The second panel focused on the increasing role of fintech in creating employment opportunities, exploring the balance between technological automation and the indispensable value of human expertise in finance.
The event was attended by distinguished guests and panellists, including Chief Guest Mr Suresh Prabhu, Senior Politician and Former Senior Parliamentarian, Mr Sagar Lakhani (Partner, Uniqus Consultech Inc.), Mr Anthony Crasto (President, Assurance & Chief Strategy Officer, Deloitte South Asia), Mr Jenul Sanghani (Partner at Deloitte), Mr Salman Quraishi (Head of Sales at Zerodha), Mr Pratik Agarwal (Partner at Deloitte), and Mr Nirav Patel (Partner, Uniqus Consultech Inc.). The conference also saw participation from deans, directors, and vice-chancellors of over 40 universities, including Amity University, NMIMS Deemed-to-be-University, Symbiosis University, and XIM University, among others.
As the finance sector undergoes significant transformation, such discussions are vital in ensuring that academic institutions remain at the forefront of addressing market demands. Zell Education reaffirms its commitment to fostering dialogue between academia and industry and integrating the insights gained into their educational offerings to ensure students are prepared for the dynamic and interconnected world of finance.