As part of the Colloquium initiative at Amrita School of Business, Amaravati organized an engaging Colloquia session on the topic ‘The Future of Finance – Market & Career Choices.’ The session featured Dr. Ritesh Kumar Dubey, a distinguished Professor of Finance at Xavier Institute of Management (XIMB), XIM University. With an illustrious career spanning academia and industry, Dr. Dubey has been associated with premier institutions like IIM Rohtak, GITAM Vizag, IMT Hyderabad, IBS Hyderabad, and NMIMS Mumbai. A National University of Singapore (NUS) certified Fintech and Innovation professional, he also served on the scientific committee for the International Finance Conference, 2024, at XLRI, Jamshedpur.
The session provided valuable insights into the evolving landscape of the financial sector and the career opportunities that lie ahead. Dr. Ritesh emphasized the importance of continuous learning in an era where traditional job roles are rapidly evolving or becoming obsolete due to technological advancements.
Our distinguished guest opened the session with an interactive discussion, surveying the students on their ATM usage habits. Surprisingly, only a handful of students had visited an ATM more than three times a month. This highlighted the dramatic shift in banking services, where digital transactions and Unified Payment Interfaces (UPIs) have replaced conventional banking practices. A decade ago, living near an ATM was considered a convenience, but today, ATMs are becoming obsolete as banks remove them due to declining demand.
Technology is reshaping the finance industry at an unprecedented pace. The integration of fintech, digital banking, AI-driven financial tools, and decentralized finance has redefined how individuals and businesses interact with money. Dr. Dubey stressed that the finance sector is no longer limited to traditional roles but extends to areas like algorithmic trading, blockchain, financial modeling, and sustainability finance.
Drawing insights from research and recent market trends, the speaker highlighted several key developments shaping the future of finance:
Our esteemed speaker emphasized the importance of staying relevant in the job market through skill development and adaptability. He advised students to focus on acquiring the following essential skills:
The session also featured an interactive segment using Mentimeter, where students participated in live polling. Some of the key responses to the questions included:
“What comes to your mind when you think of the future of finance?”
Responses included terms like cryptocurrency, risk management, green finance, AI & digitalization, fintech, and cashless payments.
“What are some recent innovations in finance you have come across?”
Responses highlighted digital payments, biometric payments, embedded finance, open banking, and AI-driven financial services.
“What would you do to stay relevant in finance jobs?”
Common responses were staying updated on industry trends, obtaining certifications, developing technical skills, investing, and tracking financial news.
The session concluded with an engaging Q&A session, where students sought guidance on industry trends and career paths. Dr. Dubey encouraged students to remain curious, adaptable, and proactive in learning new skills. He stressed the importance of networking, internships, and continuous learning to stay competitive in the finance industry.
With the financial sector evolving rapidly, students must embrace technology-driven finance, sustainability practices, and digital innovation to excel in their careers. The Colloquia session was a thought-provoking experience, equipping students with insights and strategies to navigate the future of finance successfully.
This colloquium served as a valuable learning experience, inspiring students to explore emerging opportunities in finance and prepare for a dynamic and technology-driven financial landscape.
