Hartford Business Journal

HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | AUGUST 21, 2023 21 FOCUS: BANKING & FINANCE Global audience UConn launched its fintech program in 2022. John Wilson, the program's academic director, said he believes UConn was the first college in the state, and one of the first in the country, to get into the space. "Fintech is a huge and growing ecosystem," Wilson said. "From UConn's perspective, we're looking to be the leader, the institution that you think of when you think of fintech. We feel that there's going to be a lot of institutions competing with us for students in the coming years." UConn offers a 36-credit master's degree and a 12-credit graduate certificate in fintech, available online and in-person. Enrollment in UConn's fintech program for this fall is at about 100 students, according to Wilson. UConn is further expanding fintech programming to reach a global audience via asynchronous online programming, he said. In asynchro- nous classes, students can review material and learn on their own time. Laurissa Berk, director of student and faculty services and graduate STEM programs for the UConn School of Business, said offering different options, such as asynchronous online classes, is a direct reaction to global interest. UConn officials recently returned from Sao Paulo, Brazil, where they discussed UConn's offerings with firms such as financial services company Banco Bradesco. Plans are underway for trips to Israel, London and Hong Kong, to find out what skills companies are looking for and let people know about UConn's online fintech programs, Wilson said. UConn is also launching an accelerated fintech master's degree program and will be marketing and recruiting for it this fall. UConn first started developing its fintech programs about four years ago, and wanted to expose students to all areas where these skills will be useful, from banking and financial services to the insurance, medical and real estate industries. UConn built its curriculum with the help of a board of advisors that has provided guidance on emerging technologies and what students need to know, Berk said. "It's built intentionally and purpose- fully to meet the skills gap that's in the industry today," Berk said. Preparing for launch At Quinnipiac University in Hamden, a fintech major has been in develop- ment in recent months. Surya Chelikani, who chairs Quinnipiac's finance department, said the university plans to begin enrolling students in the major during the coming academic year. "Our fintech majors will learn about the transformative technologies in the finance sector," Chelikani said. Holly J. Raider, dean of Quin- nipiac's School of Business and a professor of management, said the college is launching its fintech program because it's committed to preparing students for future careers. "Fintech is a rapidly growing segment of the finance industry and just one of the ways our school is innovating and anticipating the future of work," Raider said. Quinnipiac has been recruiting faculty with relevant expertise, including in the business applications of blockchain. Complementing Quinnipiac's new fintech major will be a state-of-the-art financial technology center, Raider said, that will provide a real-world trading floor environment equipped with Bloomberg terminals and collabo- rative, real-world learning spaces. Fairfield University is launching a new financial technology master's degree this fall. PHOTO | CONTRIBUTED Holly Raider Laurissa Berk John Wilson HARTFORD BUSINESS JOURNAL & NEW HAVEN BIZ Presents THE BUSINESS OF CANNABIS C O N N E C T I C U T C O N F E R E N C E T H E S E C O N D A N N U A L 09 • 21 • 23 AQUA TURF CLUB 556 MULBERRY ST, PLANTSVILLE, CT 06479 8 AM - 4 PM FEATURES Breakfast • Speakers • Panel Discussions Lunch • Exhibitor Showcase • Networking Reception

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