The area of finance has recently been undergoing fundamental changes. Digital technologies have transformed the economy and society, affecting all sectors of activity including the financial sector. Both consumers and businesses are increasingly using digital financial services. The pandemic has exacerbated this trend. Innovation is ubiquitous in financial services – whether it is mobile banking, e-commerce and contactless payments, or asset management and cryptocurrency trading. Digital finance offers technology companies opportunities to develop and innovate, creating growth and jobs. Data is at the centre of digital transformation. Currently, big data and analytics are top of the list of critical skills shortages.
Sustainable finance is an area that has seen significant growth in recent years. The United Nation’s 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals have become an important reference point and benchmark for policymakers and the private sector. Sustainability refers to humankind meeting its economic needs without overburdening the environment or weakening societies. Sustainable finance covers environmental and social goals, it takes sustainability into account across asset classes and different products and services, ranging from corporate loans to mutual funds with shares of sustainable firms, offered to retail investors.
Lithuania is a dynamic European innovation and fintech hub, having all the necessary conditions for its fintech ecosystem to grow and develop, namely support from the government, favourable taxation system, progressive regulatory rules, multi-disciplinary talent pool, and innovative infrastructure.
Therefore, four partner universities (University of Pardubice (the Czech Republic), European University (Cyprus), LUMSA University (Italy), and Vilnius University (Lithuania)) developed a joint master study programme Financial Data Analytics and Sustainable Finance (FINDATA) that will react to these changes and challenges in the society and economy, and urgent needs of the labour market. FINDATA master study programme aims to educate highly qualified experts in the field of finance and data analytics, i.e., graduates equipped with knowledge of key financial and economic disciplines with emphasis on environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations. See the website of the FINDATA study programme here
The study programme will offer students two specializations – (1) Corporate Finance and (2) Financial Markets. The specialization of Corporate Finance (LUMSA University) aims to obtain a state-of-the-art understanding of modern corporate finance and to provide in-depth insights into the field of sustainable corporate finance by developing the awareness of the social and environmental impacts and the importance of digital transformation on financial choices to create long term financial benefits. In this specialization, the students will study four compulsory courses. The specialization of Financial Markets (Vilnius University) aims to prepare highly qualified finance specialists with a good understanding of finance and financial markets for sustainable development trained to deal with modern-day financial and economic problems toward a long-term paradigm for sustainable investments.
