The Irish Funds’ highly anticipated FinTech Speaker Series, held in collaboration with Munster Technological University’s Funds Academy, highlighted Cork’s flourishing FinTech landscape at MTU, Bishopstown Campus, Cork.
The event showcased the close collaboration between academia and industry, particularly highlighting the involvement of companies within the investment fund administration sector. These companies play a key role as they advise on educational programmes related to finance and technology, involved from planning the overall goals of the programmes to adding specific topics to the course content.
An engaging platform that brings together experts, innovators and thought leaders in the financial technology industry, the Irish Funds FinTech Speaker Series events provide valuable insights into emerging technologies, industry trends, and opportunities for collaboration.
Irish Funds is the representative body for the international investment fund and asset management community in Ireland which aims to enhance and promote Ireland as the premier location for investment fund domiciliation and administration. The association represents a diverse range of members and actively contributes to shaping Ireland’s regulatory framework, while driving industry standards through collaboration and innovation.
The Funds Academy was established by MTU and South East Technological University (SETU) in March 2021 to promote executive education and development within the investment fund industry. Its initial focus is on creating a Masters in Investment Fund Administration. Ancillary activities have included hosting conferences for industry professionals and offering specialised programs, recently offering a range of funded micro-credentials. The Academy promotes the investment fund administration sector as a career choice for undergraduates, aspiring to influence national discussions on investment fund education.
“We are absolutely delighted to have collaborated with Irish Funds to bring this event to Cork. The financial services, funds and fintech sector in this region is thriving and we act as a conduit to bring industry and academia together through our Funds Academy project”, said Aisling O’Mahony, project manager of the Funds Academy at MTU and host organiser of the FinTech Speaker Series in Cork.
Renowned industry experts spoke at the event to discuss the latest FinTech innovations shaping Cork’s financial ecosystem. Key topics included emerging technologies, regulatory developments, and the evolving skill sets essential for success in this dynamic industry and the best approach through educational programmes to address these skills needs. Each of the speakers engaged in lively discussions on how the advancements in the industry have impacted their role and how the regional FinTech and funds space in Cork has evolved in recent years. They expanded on how their companies have adapted to these changes and embraced innovation.
Representatives from the Cyber Skills team at MTU, discussed changes in compliance and regulation and innovations in the space such as the Cyber Range technology, a unique national infrastructure comprising state-of-the-art cloud and mobile units offering safely run live cyber-attack scenarios and crisis management exercises that replicate real-world situations.
