The Karnataka government has signed an agreement with the National Stock Exchange (NSE) Academy to orient college students on sound financial management practices under a second-year Financial Literacy and Investment Awareness Course.

The course aims to provide the foundations for financial decision making, list out various saving and investment alternatives available for people, give an overview of stock markets and stock selection and orient the learners about mutual funds and the criteria for selection.

The Karnataka State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) and the NSE Academy signed and exchanged the MoU in the presence of Dr Ashwathnarayan CN, Minister for Higher Education; IT & BT, Science & Technology; Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood, Government of Karnataka.

The NSE Academy also signed MoAs with 22 state universities. Vice-chancellors and registrars from the universities exchanged the MoAs.

“The Financial Education and Investment Awareness Course which would be introduced from a second-year degree is likely to empower students irrespective of streams they opt, with sound financial knowledge and financial management skills,” the Minister said.

The course’s subjects will deal in foundations of finances, investment management, mutual funds and financial planning essentials.

The method of pedagogy includes an interactive e-workbook on micro and macro-indicators affecting personal financial planning, financial plan templates with examples & scenarios, financial goal setting & financial goals worksheet, stock selection, criteria for selection of mutual funds, investment options for young adults who enter professions, financial security worksheet and glossary of must know key terms.

Online diagnostic assessments such as quizzes, projections, psychometric tests and pre-assessments and recorded self-help videos are also part of the pedagogy process. 

Dr Tirthankar Patnaik, Chief Economist, NSE India; Abhilash Misra, Chief Executive Officer, NSE Academy and Ranganathan S, Chief Manager, NSE Academy represented NSE Academy. Prof B Thimme Gowda, Vice Chairman, KSHEC and Dr Gopalakrishna Joshi, Executive Director, KSHEC represented KSHEC.

Rashmi V Mahesh, IAS, Principal Secretary to Govt, Department of Higher Education, GoK; P Pradeep, IAS, Commissioner, Department of Collegiate and Technical Education; Dr Jayappa, Special Officer, KSHEC, were present.