The University of Bradford Society of FinTech Students (SoFTS) is a student-led society that strives to serve as a lodestar for technologically driven students that are empowered with adequate knowledge and skillset to redefine the financial sector within their immediate society and beyond.
The society seeks to achieve this goal through academic and industry-based research on evolving FinTech trends, academic peer sessions on the use of machine learning and analytic software, presentations on relevant FinTech topics, organising events and talks by academics and industry players, attending FinTech related forums and conferences as a group and collaborating with other Societies and staff.
The ultimate vision is to build a hub of Financial Technology students that promotes knowledge sharing, skills acquisition, capacity building and networking amongst peers, academics and industry leaders for a rewarding career in the future.
Upon starting off in February 2023, SoFTS had only 7 registered members, so a Meet and Greet initiative was executed to drive awareness of the society amongst FinTech students and increase number of active members. The event was successful as it recorded a large turnout with attendees registering to push the number to 18 members at the end of the event. SoFTS currently has 25 active members.
 |
 |
 |
SoFTS is proud to have partnered with academics of the Responsible FinTech Research Group (ResFinTech) of the University of Bradford in researching and providing contributions to the Bank of England (BoE) and HM Treasury’s (HMT) Consultation Paper titled: “The Digital Pound: A New Form of Money for Households and Businesses?”
The project involved proffering researched and relevant insights and suggestions to the BoE and HMT on the design and implementation strategies for the proposed new UK’s digital pound.
Members of SoFTS worked together remotely via Teams to compile a 21-page document that provides answers to 8 key questions in the Paper for possible adoption and implementation by the UK government.
Selected responses from the research was delivered by the President at the "Digital Assets, Cryptoassets and CBDCs" event organised by ResFinTech in London on the 12th of June, 2023.
On Wednesday, 29th March 2023, members of SoFTS attended this event hosted by FinTech North in collaboration with Womble Bond Dickinson in Newcastle.
The event highlighted the organiser’s strategic blueprint for driving and steering the burgeoning field of FinTech across the North of England and beyond; which also includes a plan to set up an innovation hub that will admit FinTech students to work as project research interns under the supervision of experienced mentors.
Select FinTech entrepreneurs were also on ground to deliver business pitches for their innovative products just as SoFTS members networked with industry players and fellow students from Teesside University.
Members of the Society of FinTech Students - University of Bradford were turned out in droves to attend the long-awaited FinTech North Manchester Conference that took place on the 14th November, 2023!
Lots of interesting issues facing the FinTech industry were discussed some of which bordered on topics related to trust, use of data, regulatory challenges, role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in creating businesses, need for effective collaboration between traditional financial institutions and FinTech firms, the importance of FinTech-driven solutions in addressing financial inclusion and realising a green and sustainable climate amongst others things were thoroughly discussed.
Members had the opportunity to connect with participants and fellow FinTech students from The University of Huddersfield during the network sessions.
 |
 |
 |
The Freshers Fayre organised by the University of Bradford Union of Students on Wednesday, 27th September 2023, to welcome new students into the University was indeed a huge success! Just like other groups and societies in the School, the Society of FinTech Students - University of Bradford was fully on ground to provide support, guidance and of course enrol interested students across all programmes into the Society.
It was a really interesting and interactive moment with the new intakes and great team spirit exhibited by members such as Saheed Salami Msc,ACIB,CFE, Vincent Okoye, Ebiloma Faith, and Abdul O., who availed themselves to make the event a success.
Newly enrolled members were given the free 2023/2024 Gradcracker Toolkit to enable them get their academic and career journey off to a right start - and it was such a lovely sight to behold as we watched their faces radiate with smiles on receiving the book.
 |
 |
 |
For more information on how to join this society, please contact Reuben Obasi:
