Students of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) participated in a full-day engagement program at the GIFT International Fintech Institute (GIFT IFI), GIFT City, Gandhinagar. Organized by the Gandhinagar (GIFT City) Chapter of WIRC of ICSI, the program was designed to give students a hands-on understanding of India's premier international financial services hub and the exciting career avenues it presents for Company Secretaries.

The day began with a live visit to the NSE Exchange at GIFT City, giving students a firsthand look at how international financial markets operate. This was followed by the formal opening by CS Parth Shah, Chairman of the Gandhinagar (GIFT City) Chapter, after which CS Ramya Pandya introduced students to the vision, ecosystem, and strategic significance of GIFT City. Mr. Sandeep Dixit, Director of IFI, then delivered an in-depth session on the world of fintech, offering students a broad perspective on how technology is transforming the global financial landscape.

The post-lunch sessions were equally enriching. CS Riddhi Vohra, Head of Listing at India International Exchange (India INX, a BSE Company), explained the Direct Listing Framework at GIFT IFSC and how Indian companies can access international capital markets directly. CS Ritesh Jain, Head of Operations at Apex GIFT City, then shed light on the wide range of career opportunities available to CS professionals beyond India, particularly within the IFSC framework. Students also had the privilege of exploring GIFT City's iconic underground utility tunnel, which showcases the city's world-class infrastructure planning.

The program concluded with an academic session by Prof. Sameer Kulkarni of IIT Gandhinagar, who spoke on the role of technology in fintech — covering areas such as AI, data infrastructure, and their intersection with regulatory frameworks. The event was a remarkable blend of industry exposure, expert knowledge, and real-world exploration, reinforcing ICSI's commitment to equipping its students with the global outlook and professional skills needed to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven financial world.