The Higher Education Review

Dynamic shifts are taking place in the BFSI (Banking, Financial Services and Insurance) sector of India influenced by economic expansion and financial inclusion. According to a report published by the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), bank deposits all across the country increased by 10.2 percent in 2023.

Looking at the rising population, financial literacy is slowly becoming primary for the country's economic growth. It ultimately rests upon the shoulders of the educational institutions that are educating young generation about the changing requirements of the BFSI industry and making them ready for the future.

However, in order to gain trust in the academic segment, a niche needs to be created that is dedicated to student orientation of industry-specific skill sets. Many institutions offer an extended range of management courses within which BFSI is a part of the whole.

However, at Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance, courses are structured specifically to educate candidates on the developments happening in the BFSI segment. This niche has helped the institute gain trust and sustainability in the market.

Symbiosis School of Banking & Finance (SSBF) was established in 2010 to address the growing demand for a trained workforce in the Banking and Financial Services Sector. Given that a strong and resilient banking system is critical for fuelling and sustaining growth, the importance of having industry-ready manpower cannot be over-emphasized. The MBA (Banking and Finance) offered by SSBF has been designed to provide the necessary education and skill-set to equip students to innovate,

manage, lead and take on the challenges of this increasingly complex and dynamic BFSI sector in the wake of constant functional and technological changes.

“SSBF enhances the awareness and widens the perspectives of its students placing before them the challenges facing the BFSI sector that need constant attention, study and scrutiny.

SSBF is thus committed to providing an environment that facilitates learning and development of well-rounded personalities such that they leave the portals of the institute as industry-ready professionals”, states Dr. Neha Parashar, Director, SSBF.

Effective Leadership
Dr. Neha Parashar completed her doctorate degree in the area of behavioural finance (2008) and is a gold medallist (University topper) during her MBA and M.Com. Her research interests lie in the areas of financial markets, financial services, behavioural finance, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, wealth management, and financial planning.

She has presented papers at several international and national conferences. Her research papers have been published in various peer-reviewed journals across.

She has been awarded India’s Best Finance Teacher by the Association of International Wealth Management of India (AIWMI), Best Young Teacher Award in Management Category by Academisthan Foundation, Awarded with Most Influential Women in Academics 2020 by Education Ninja and Academy of Management Professionals (AMP), Awarded with Indira Parikh 50 Women in Education Leaders by World Education Congress and Awarded with 100 Most Dedicated Professor by World Education Congress.

She has authored a book named 'Mutual Fund and Investors' published by Classical Publishing House, New Delhi. She has 18 years of rich teaching experience across several universities and colleges in India.

She has also participated in five months long Faculty Development Programme organized at IIM, Ahmedabad.

Technology Integration
According to the IBEF report, the Indian Fintech industry is estimated to be at $150 billion by 2025 and is the 3rd largest FinTech ecosystem globally. India is also one of the fastest-growing Fintech markets in the world.

This is exactly why SSBF believes that incorporating Fintech in the curriculum is very important for candidates interested in making a career in the BFSI industry. The institution has formulated specializations specific to Fintech and offers that along with the MBA.

It is associated with various industry leaders who suggest the changing trends in the industry according to which SSBF structures the courses. “We have tied up with NSE Smart Labs where we take our students to provide them hands-on experience as to how modern trading is being done. We have also associated with Bloomberg Labs which is of immense help to our students”, states Dr. Parashar.

Looking Ahead
Since its inception in 2010, SSBF has come a long way and has gained a lot of trust in the market. Moving forward, it wants to increase the number of courses offered and also the yearly intake of students. The institution is in the process of formulating newer specializations related to the BFSI segment.

“We will be associating ourselves with foreign universities and providing students with joint degrees. We are also dedicating a lot of RnD in developing ways for experiential learning which will be implemented in the near future”, concludes Dr. Parashar.

SSBF enhances the awareness & widens the perspectives of its students placing before them the challenges facing the BFSI sector that need constant attention, study & scrutiny.