Ahmedabad University, IIT Gandhinagar, UC San Diego Partner with GIFT City for Fintech Institute

GIFT IFI will deliver industry-aligned, stackable educational programs in areas such as Fintech Foundations, Cyber Security, Finance for Fintech, and AI/ML for Fintech Applications.

To support India's rapidly expanding fintech industry, Ahmedabad University, IIT Gandhinagar, and UC San Diego have partnered with Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) to establish the GIFT International Fintech Institute (GIFT IFI). Launching in January 2025, the institute will focus on equipping talent with advanced training and research to drive innovation and economic growth in India and globally.

GIFT IFI will deliver industry-aligned, stackable educational programs in areas such as Fintech Foundations, Cyber Security, Finance for Fintech, and AI/ML for Fintech Applications. These programs are designed to cater to diverse learners, enabling recent graduates and mid-career professionals to accumulate credentials over time, ultimately working toward diplomas or degrees.

Professor Pankaj Chandra, Vice Chancellor of Ahmedabad University, highlighted the interdisciplinary approach of the initiative, integrating finance, computer science, statistics, and application domains like climate and security to develop cutting-edge solutions for industry and regulatory bodies. "Our consortium will collaborate closely with the fintech industry to address real-world challenges and create innovative programs," he said.

Professor Rajat Moona, Director of IIT Gandhinagar, emphasized the transformative potential of the initiative. "This consortium will foster critical thinking and an entrepreneurial spirit, building a new generation of fintech leaders," he stated. Meanwhile, UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K Khosla underscored the international impact, noting, "As the first US institution at GIFT City, we're proud to contribute to India’s fintech evolution through groundbreaking training and a culture of innovation."

GIFT IFI aspires to become a global fintech hub, addressing skills gaps in the financial services sector by merging expertise in finance and technology, and establishing partnerships with industries and institutions worldwide to share data and co-develop programs.