MUFG and GFTN Partner to Advance Next-Generation Skills in India and Unlock Opportunities Across Asia

Singapore, 7 November 2025 — Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) and the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) today announced a multi-year partnership to strengthen youth digital skills, innovation capabilities, and career pathways in India, beginning in the state of Odisha, while exploring wider collaboration with key stakeholders across Asia.

In an MoU signed by Sopnendu Mohanty, Group CEO, GFTN, and Nobuya Kawasaki, Chief Executive, MUFG Asia Pacific, both organisations committed to advancing digital-finance education, capacity-building, and employment opportunities for young professionals across India and other emerging markets. The partnership will combine GFTN’s global ecosystem of financial institutions, policymakers, and innovators with MUFG’s deep commitment to social impact, financial education and youth empowerment to nurture the next generation of FinTech talent.

India Launch: Building the FinTech Talent of the Future

The partnership kicks off in Odisha, where MUFG will serve as the “BharatNetra Champion,” supporting the Government of Odisha’s mission to develop Bhubaneswar into a global hub for Financial Technology and InsurTech innovation. It marks the inaugural phase of MUFG’s India engagement.

At the heart of this collaboration is the Certificate in FinTech & InsurTech (CFI), an 86-hour hybrid programme delivered by the Asian Institute of Digital Finance (AIDF) at the National University of Singapore (NUS). The programme aims to upskill 7,000 students by 2030, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to participate confidently in the digital economy and strengthening digital-finance capabilities across the state.

MUFG’s support will help connect classroom learning to real-world careers through industry-led challenges co-designed with MUFG leaders, mentorship opportunities, and direct access to employers.

Key partnership highlights include:

• Milestone Graduation Ceremony (February 2026): MUFG leadership engagement at the graduation ceremony of the inaugural cohort of 375 graduates from the Certificate in FinTech & InsurTech programme, an important step in building a new generation of digital finance professionals.
• Career Pathways Job Fair (February 2026): Launching a job fair, connecting top students directly with MUFG professionals and leading firms. This initiative translates training into tangible employment opportunities and strengthens the region’s talent pipeline for the fintech sector.
• Global Recognition with MUFG Award: Honoring the highest-achieving student team with a fully sponsored platform to present their innovation at the GFTN Forum in Japan 2026. This elevates young talent onto the international stage, expanding their networks and positioning India as a hub for fintech innovation.

Asia Outlook: Expanding Regional Collaboration

Building on the success of the India launch, MUFG and GFTN will explore extending this partnership to key markets in the region, beginning with the Philippines and Indonesia. This next phase will include stakeholder mapping and partnerships with key players in the eco-system.

Leadership Comments

Sopnendu Mohanty, Group CEO, Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN)

“Our partnership with MUFG is dedicated to building Asia’s next generation of digital finance professionals. By combining MUFG’s commitment to social impact with GFTN’s global reach across technology, finance, and policy, we are bridging education and leadership for a future-ready workforce. Starting in Odisha, this initiative delivers advanced fintech and insurtech training through a globally recognised certification, hands-on industry challenges, and direct employer access, with plans to scale across Asia. Together, we are shaping a digitally skilled, inclusive, and sustainable workforce capable of driving economic transformation for the new digital economy.”

Nobuya Kawasaki, Chief Executive, MUFG Asia Pacific

“MUFG is proud to do its part to develop the next generation of innovators. This partnership with GFTN reflects our longstanding commitment to Asia-Pacific’s growth by integrating two priorities: investing in the region’s young talent and its most promising fintechs and start-ups. By equipping the youth of today to be future-ready and thrive in this rapidly evolving digital world, we aim to build a future where innovation and inclusion go hand in hand.”

Media Contacts

MUFG Bank
Jenny Lim
Head, Corporate Communications for Asia Pacific
jenny_lim@sg.mufg.jp

Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN)
Preeti Dawra
Chief Communications Officer
preeti.dawra@gftn.com

About MUFG Bank

MUFG Bank, Ltd. is Japan’s premier bank, with a global network spanning around 40 markets. Outside of Japan, the bank offers an extensive scope of commercial and investment banking products and services to businesses, governments and individuals worldwide.

MUFG Bank’s parent, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (MUFG) is one of the world’s leading financial groups. Headquartered in Tokyo and with over 360 years of history, MUFG has a global network with approximately 2,000 locations in more than 40 markets. The Group has about 150,000 employees and offers services including commercial banking, trust banking, securities, credit cards, consumer finance, asset management, and leasing.

The Group aims to “be the world’s most trusted financial group” through close collaboration among our operating companies and flexibly respond to all of the financial needs of our customers, serving society, and fostering shared and sustainable growth for a better world. MUFG’s shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York stock exchanges. For more information, visit https://www.mufg.jp/english.

About Global Finance & Technology Network

The Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) is a Singapore headquartered organisation that leverages technology and innovation to create more efficient, resilient, and inclusive financial systems through global collaboration. GFTN hosts a worldwide network of forums (including its flagship event, the Singapore FinTech Festival); advises governments and companies on policies and the development of digital ecosystems and innovation within the financial sector; offers digital infrastructure solutions; and plans to invest in financial technology startups through its upcoming venture fund, with a focus on inclusion and sustainability. GFTN is a not-for-profit organisation established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) in 2024.