The Smith School of Business at Queen’s University has introduced Canada‘s very first Fintech Masters course.
According to the Smith School of Business, the course has been designed mainly for financial or tech professionals who are already working in the industry. The first Master of Financial Innovation and Technology (MFIT) program will reportedly begin in November of this year.
The courses will be delivered during the evening and there will also be some sessions held over the weekends. Graduates of the Fintech Masters program can expect to receive professional training in data science, finance, and emerging machine learning (ML) technologies. This rigorous academic training should give them the practical knowledge they need about leading technologies – which have begun to transform the global finance sector (among many other related industries).
Ryan Riordan, director of the MFIT program and distinguished finance professor and research director at the Institute for Sustainable Finance, stated:
“Until now, employers hiring in the financial technology sector have had to choose between candidates who specialize in either finance or technology; it’s been a challenge to find talent with strengths in both who understand how one impacts the other, including the opportunities and risks.”
He added:
“With the launch of this new programme, we’ve created a unique educational path that bridges both sectors and equips graduates to succeed in a quickly evolving marketplace.”
He also mentioned that the Fintech-focused curriculum will be designed specifically for students who have a background in finance. The course will also be relevant for professionals who are involved in digital transformation projects related to finance, and also for tech specialists who are interested in branching out into the finance industry.
The course will take a full year or 12 months to complete. There will be 12 classes offered via remote and in-person sessions. Courses will be scheduled in the evening, once per week, and on also on alternating weekends. This should help students meet the challenging demands of their full-time jobs while being able to learn the latest trends in Fintech.