The new academic initiative is designed to combine academic rigour with practical, real-world training. McGill’s programme is distinctive in that students manage four investment funds, one of which is a socially responsible investment (SRI) fund, allowing them to gain hands-on experience in areas such as portfolio and risk management, marketing, and fundraising.
Finance Minister Gilles Roth welcomed the partnership, stating the “initiative is fully aligned with our ambition to attract international talent and foster a dynamic, forward-looking ecosystem that will support and enhance Luxembourg’s financial centre on the global stage.”
Serge Weyland, CEO of ALFI, noted the practical strengths of the programme, highlighting that “thanks to the investment funds managed by students and supported by the university, they gain concrete experience in portfolio management, risk management, marketing and fundraising. In doing so, they develop exactly the skills our sector needs.” Jerry Grbic, CEO of the ABBL, added that “strengthening the attractiveness of the financial sector by contributing to the provision of high value-added education, meeting both the aspirations of Luxembourg residents and international talent, as well as the continuous training needs of our members, is one of ABBL’s priorities.”
This strategic collaboration represents a significant opportunity for Luxembourg. The country’s financial centre has long relied on a highly qualified, international workforce. By hosting an elite programme such as McGill’s, Luxembourg reinforces its role as a global hub for financial services while addressing growing demands for specialised skills in areas like sustainable finance, asset management, and risk management.
To manage the programme, McGill University will also establish an office in Luxembourg, supported by the Chamber of Commerce.
The initiative exemplifies Luxembourg’s ability to foster partnerships between academia, government, and industry, and contributes to the development of a future-ready talent pool that can sustain the competitiveness of its financial services sector for years to come.