MUFG–GFTN Partnership to Boost Youth Digital Skills Launches in Odisha
FinTech & InsurTech Training, Global Exposure, and Industry Pathways at the Core of New Multi-Year Initiative
Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to strengthen digital finance talent across India and Asia, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) and the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) have joined hands through a multi-year partnership aimed at expanding youth digital skills, innovation capacity, and employment opportunities. Odisha has been chosen as the launchpad for this ambitious programme, which could later extend to other Asian countries.
The partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Sopnendu Mohanty, Group CEO of GFTN, and Nobuya Kawasaki, Chief Executive of MUFG Asia Pacific. Their collaboration will focus on digital-finance education, capacity building, and job creation, leveraging MUFG’s commitment to youth empowerment and GFTN’s network of global financial institutions, policymakers, and innovators.
At the centre of the India rollout is MUFG’s role as the “BharatNetra Champion” in Odisha, supporting the state government’s vision to establish Bhubaneswar as an international hub for Financial Technology and InsurTech. The initiative aligns with the state’s increasing push toward digital transformation, skill development, and future-ready employment opportunities for youth.
A flagship component of the collaboration is the Certificate in FinTech & InsurTech (CFI), an 86-hour hybrid learning programme delivered by the Asian Institute of Digital Finance (AIDF) at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Designed to prepare 7,000 students by 2030, the CFI programme blends academic training with real-world industry challenges. MUFG will complement the coursework with mentorship, hands-on assignments, and structured exposure to potential employers, creating a direct link from education to career.
Two major milestones are already scheduled for February 2026: the graduation ceremony for the first batch of 375 CFI students and a large-scale Career Pathways Job Fair. MUFG executives will attend both events, offering graduates and participants a chance to connect with international finance and technology experts. The partnership also includes the MUFG Global Award, which will send the top student team to Japan to present their work at the GFTN Forum 2026 — fully funded by MUFG. This opportunity aims to provide global visibility and encourage innovation among young participants.
The collaboration is not limited to India alone. MUFG and GFTN plan to scale the initiative to the Philippines, Indonesia, and other key Asian markets in the coming years. Future phases will include new partnerships with universities, industry bodies, and government agencies to strengthen digital finance capability across the region.
Speaking about the initiative, GFTN Group CEO Sopnendu Mohanty said the partnership is committed to building the next generation of digital finance professionals across Asia. Starting with Odisha, the aim is to deliver world-class training supported by real-industry experience. MUFG’s Asia Pacific Chief Executive Nobuya Kawasaki noted that the partnership underscores the organisation’s dedication to nurturing young innovators and strengthening the Asia-Pacific fintech ecosystem.
With India’s digital economy expanding rapidly, the MUFG–GFTN partnership represents a major step in aligning education with employment. By focusing on skill development, innovation, and global collaboration, the initiative seeks to help young people participate meaningfully in a technology-driven financial landscape. Odisha, as the programme’s first destination, is set to play a pivotal role in shaping a new generation of fintech talent — not just for India, but for Asia as a whole.
