PUNE, 12 September 2025 – CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals, today hosted the Pune edition of its Finance Industry Network (FIN) Roundtable, bringing together senior faculty from leading universities and colleges in the region, to explore how finance education can be better aligned with the rapidly evolving needs of the investment management industry.
The FIN roundtable provided an open platform to foster dialogue between academia and industry leaders on bridging the skills gap, enhancing student employability, and strengthening the industry-academia collaboration. Discussions also focused on the emerging trends in the financial sector, role of CFA Program® in preparing students with global best practices, and opportunities to equip the next generation of financial professionals for successful careers in the investment management profession.
Speaking on behalf of CFA Institute, Saim Fakih, Senior University Relations Specialist said: “At CFA Institute, we believe that educators play a pivotal role in shaping the future of finance. We are delighted to host the Pune edition of the Finance Industry Network session, bringing together esteemed academicians and further strengthening our mission to connect academic insight with industry relevance, ensuring that students are guided by practical, globally aligned and real-world perspectives.”
Speaking at the event, Dr. Archana Singh, HOD – Finance, Dr. D. Y. Patil B-School, said: “The roundtable provided valuable perspectives on the current industry trends and evolving expectations from future finance professionals. At Dr. D. Y. Patil B-School, DYP DPU, we are proud of our strategic collaboration with CFA Institute, through which our students are already gaining exposure to the best global practices and high professional standards. Events like these strengthen the bridge between academia and industry, and we are committed to deepening such partnerships to ensure our students thrive in a competitive global financial landscape.”
CA Bipin Palande, Associate Dean – Academics, MIT WPU School of Economics & Commerce, added, “It was a wonderful experience to participate in the FIN roundtable with CFA Institute. The discussions not only provided insights into the CFA® Charter journey but also shed light on how the investment management industry is evolving. Addressing students’ queries and hearing professors’ perspectives about the CFA Program made the session holistic. More such gatherings will induce networking opportunities for all the stakeholders – CFA Institute, industry, academia and students. MIT WPU School of Economics and Commerce is proud to be part of this initiative.”
Highlighting the role of global standards in shaping India’s financial talent pool, Dr. Manju Chopra, Head – School of Business and Management, Director Admissions, DES Pune University, said: “CFA Program, with its extensive curriculum focused on investment management and global standards, is invaluable to both academia and industry. It provides a standardized framework that enhances professional skills and knowledge. This synergy between education and professional practice is vital for building a globally competitive financial workforce, and we were delighted to engage in this important discussion with CFA Institute.”
The roundtable brought together distinguished educators including Dr Archana Singh and Mr. Swapnil Gorde from Dr. D. Y. Patil B-School; Shagun Thukral, CFA from Global Business School & Research Centre; CA Bipin Palande from MIT WPU; Dr Manju Chopra, CFA from DES Pune University; Dr K. S. Reddy from Gokhale Institute of Politics & Economics; Dr Shriang Choudhary and Dr Ritesh Khatwani from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management; Dr Karishma Chabblani from Indira University; Dr Dipasha Sharma from Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource Development; CA Ankit Bajaj from iFEEL; Dr Yashodhan Mahajan from BMCC; Dr CA Shilpa Bhide from PUMBA (Department of Management Sciences, SPPU) ; Dr Abhijeet Birari from CHRIST (Deemed to be University) Pune Lavasa Campus; Mr. Kanad Deshmukh from COEP Technological University; and Dr Anuradha Yesugade from IMED, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University).
The roundtable concluded with an interactive networking session, encouraging participants to explore avenues for collaboration, mentorship opportunities for students and share insights for advancing financial education in India. Recognized globally as the gold standard in investment management, the CFA Program® equips candidates with a strong foundation in investment principles, advanced portfolio management techniques, and ethical decision-making that employers highly value. Through initiatives like the Finance Industry Network roundtable, CFA Institute continues to strengthen partnerships with universities and colleges across India, ensuring the next generation of finance professionals is equipped to meet global challenges and opportunities.
