FSI Celebrates Record Graduation and Calls for More Scholarships

The Cayman Islands Financial Services Institute (FSI) hosted its second graduation ceremony this week, marking a milestone in the growth of its diploma programmes with a record attendance of 64 guests.

A total of 21 students graduated, earning 24 diplomas between them – a significant increase from the 13 diplomas awarded last year. The event highlighted the rapid expansion of the FSI’s accredited diploma programmes, which are developed by industry and taught by leading industry professionals. The diplomas are issued jointly by the FSI, ICCI and Modul University.

Apologies were received from the Honourable Minister of Education, who was unable to attend. The FSI expressed thanks to the Ministry of Education for its strong support, including scholarships that have enabled 15 Caymanians to complete diploma programmes over the past two years.

Paul Byles, Director and founder of the Financial Services Institute, used the occasion to issue a plea to the private sector to provide more scholarship support of Caymanian talent.

“Right now, we have 14 Caymanians who wish to pursue an FSI diploma this coming year but who require scholarship assistance. The government has done its part in supporting Caymanians through this programme.

“We are also very grateful for scholarships from BDO, the Cayman Islands Fund Administrators Association and a few firms that have sponsored their staff members in pursuit of one of the diplomas. But we would like to see more firms from the private sector supporting these students,” Byles said.

Byles also thanked academic partners ICCI and Modul University for supporting the vision to upskill Caymanians in the country’s largest economic sector.

Applications are still open for both the Cayman Islands Compliance Diploma and the International Financial Services Diploma, with the next intake beginning at the end of October.

The Financial Services Institute was founded with a clear vision: to deliver accredited, year-long programmes built by industry and taught by industry, designed to prepare new entrants for careers in financial services and compliance while upskilling those already in the sector.

Information on FSI diploma programmes and scholarship opportunities, is available at www.caymanfsi.ky and any firm interested in donating a scholarship for a Caymanian should contact the FSI at admissions@caymanfsi.ky