Udupi: The Centre for advanced research in financial inclusion of School of Management, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal has organized an international conference on ‘Fostering innovation in financial inclusion: Strengthening Responsible Practices in the Digital Economy”.

The conference objectives were to understand i) the trends in digital financial inclusion; issues and challenges for reaching the financially excluded ii) innovative digital business models and disruptive technologies that support inclusive digital finance, and iii) responsible finance practices to transform the financial ecosystem and opportunities of disruptive technology in developing sustainable ecosystem for inclusive finance.

The conference was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Prof. Madhu Veeraraghavan, Director, T A Pai Management Institute, Manipal and Guests of Honour, Mr. Chandramouli Kundagrami, Senior Industry Principal, Finacle, Infosys. Prof. Madhu Veeraraghavan spoke on the dearth of database to carry out advanced research in banking and financial inclusion. He applauded the efforts of the present government in brining unbanked population under banking ambit on a large scale. Mr. Chandramouli Kundagrami narrated the changing scenario of banking system and the future of banking. He stressed the need to update newer skills to meet the challenges of paradigm shift in banking. The function was presided by Dr. Raveendranath Nayak, Director, School of Management, Manipal Academy of Higher Education.

A pre-conference expert lecture on “Career paths and opportunities in financial services” was delivered by Dr. Iqbal Thonse Hawaldar, Professor, Department of Accounting & Finance, College of Business Administration & Director for Planning, Quality Assurance & Governance, Kingdom University, Bahrain. In the first keynote session, Mr. Chandramouli Kundagrami, Senior Industry Principal, Finacle, Infosys spoke on “Opportunities and Risks of Data-Enabled Digital Financial Services”. In the keynote address, he cautioned against the possibility of cyber fraud and the resultant security issues. Therefore, he called for increased degrees of financial literacy and technology literacy.

Dr. Raveendranath Nayak, the Director of School of Management and Dr. Savitha, convener and the co-ordinator of Center for advanced research in financial inclusion were present on the occasion. Dr. Ranjith VK proposed vote of thanks. Prof. Chetana Maddodi compered the programme.