As India positions itself as a global hub for AI-driven innovation, the country faces a critical challenge: building continuous learning infrastructure that can keep pace with rapid technological change. This panel brings together leaders from premier technical education, state policy innovation, financial regulation, legislative experience, and on-ground skills development to examine how India can architect a responsive, inclusive skills ecosystem.

The discussion will explore how leading institutions can redesign curricula to embed lifelong learning pathways; how state governments can catalyze public-private collaboration for reskilling infrastructure; how India's fintech ecosystem enables accessible upskilling financing models; and what legislative and regulatory frameworks can incentivize continuous learning.

Drawing on global best practices and India-specific opportunities, panelists will examine concrete mechanisms: stackable credentials and micro-credentials, industry-academia partnerships for applied learning, digital public infrastructure for skills certification, and innovative financing models that democratize access to professional development - particularly for MSMEs, informal workers, and underserved populations navigating the AI economy.

The Government of Odisha, in collaboration with the National University of Singapore’s Asian Institute of Digital Finance (NUS-AIDF) and GFTN, has introduced the Certificate in FinTech & InsurTech (CFI), a five-month hybrid programme designed to prepare students for the future of finance. The course blends online learning with two weeks of in-person classes in Bhubaneswar and an eight-week group capstone project with industry partners. With two cohorts each year, the programme will equip 7,000 students over five years with the skills to be industry-ready, power financial technology innovation, and support the growth of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in Odisha and beyond. Participants gain priority access to placement opportunities and global exposure through the GFTN network.


The Capstone Project is a cornerstone of the Certificate in FinTech and InsurTech programme, designed to close the gap between classroom learning and real industry application. It gives students a rare opportunity to go beyond theory and tackle live problem statements drawn directly from today’s financial services landscape. Through the active involvement of our Corporate Champion Partners, students work on industry-defined challenges and are mentored by senior practitioners from across the FinTech and InsurTech ecosystem. With hands-on guidance, students learn to analyse real business and customer needs, design commercially viable solutions, and translate emerging technologies into practical outcomes. As part of this journey, the top 8–10 students have been invited to travel to Japan to present their solutions at GFTN Forum Japan, gaining international exposure and engaging directly with global industry and policy leaders. This initiative is proudly supported by MUFG, reflecting its strong commitment to nurturing next-generation digital finance talent and investing in skills, innovation, and long-term employability.

Today, we will hear from the top three Capstone Project teams, who will showcase their ideas and the innovative solutions they have developed to address real challenges in the financial services ecosystem.

Women entrepreneurs and MSMEs remain critically underserved in accessing finance, markets, and skills, despite being essential drivers of inclusive economic growth. This panel examines how digital infrastructure, blended finance models, and policy innovation can scale women's economic empowerment beyond pilot programs to systemic change.
The discussion will move beyond enrolment metrics to focus on what actually works. Drawing on implementation experience across India's rural hinterlands, Latin America's informal economies, and global fintech ecosystems, the panel will identify specific policy interventions, mentorship mechanisms, and market linkages that keep women-led businesses viable - yielding actionable insights for policymakers, financial institutions, and technology platforms committed to genuine, scaled financial inclusion for women.