16 October | 15:30 – 18:30 | Aga Khan Centre, London

The financial technology sector is advancing at an unprecedented pace, transforming businesses, industries, and individual lives. FinTech, once the preserve of Global Companies, is now converging rapidly to revolutionize the banking industry and democratising global financial markets. The future promises more upheaval and opportunity than ever before. As artificial intelligence, blockchain, and digital currencies become integral to financial systems, the question arises: how do we prepare for this impending future?

illuminate 2024 addresses these crucial areas by delving into past lessons through a keynote address and an interactive workshop. These sessions aim to rethink financial technology as an enabler for the imminent changes ahead. The future of banking and financial markets is not just approaching—it is already here.

illuminate 2024 aspires to expand horizons, inspire a new generation of change-makers, and explore how young people can shape the future at which finance, and technology converge. This event will empower students to broaden their perspectives on FinTech, spark innovative ideas, enhance analytical skills, and actively contribute to shaping the future of global financial markets.

Registration for illuminate 2024 closes on Friday, 4 October.

Speaker

Karim Ali is a technologist with a specific focus on the rapidly evolving sectors of financial technology, banking, and Artificial Intelligence. With a deep passion for how the digital landscape is transforming these industries, Karim has dedicated the past 25 years to working in FinTech and start-ups around the globe.

He founded CYMBA Technologies, a hedge fund trading and compliance platform, and currently serves as the Group CEO of BRD FinTech and CEO of daappa, which provides innovative platform solutions to the financial, regulatory, and private asset markets. Karim is a father of three (two daughters and one son) and enjoys volunteering, travelling, food, and supporting Liverpool Football Club!

What is illuminate?

illuminate is an inspirational programme delivered by the Aga Khan Foundation UK, which offers participating students an insight into transformational ideas that are shaping our world today. It’s designed for UK students aged 16 and 17, from all backgrounds, giving them the opportunity to participate annually in an enrichment programme – which aims to resonate with a school’s objectives of offering social development, inculcating moral values, good citizenship and the promotion of pluralism and tolerance into students’ further studies.

illuminate also seeks to develop students’ transferable skills and help prepare them for university level education by challenging them to explore new horizons for future inspiring and fulfilling careers. illuminate meets several of the Gatsby benchmarks, in particular numbers 3 (Addressing the needs of each pupil), 4 (Linking curriculum learning to careers), 7 (Encounters with further and higher education) and, for the prize winners, 8 (Personal guidance).

illuminate launched in 2019, and after a brief hiatus due to COVID-19, the Aga Khan Foundation hosted its second and third illuminate events in 2022 and 2023. Since its inception, illuminate has recognised nine students for their outstanding submissions over the past three cycles, awarding each a cash reward and tutor support for their UCAS applications. 

Testimonials from past winners

“[illuminate] gives youth the opportunity to develop an understanding of the wider world, using themes such as technology and climate change to allow us to learn the importance of considering such matters. As we are the future of our planet, we must learn to find interest in these topics which mean so much to us to give us the best chance at improving the state of society as a whole.”

– Ayub Abdulkadir, winner, illuminate 2023

“The support I received played a significant role in my success. I managed to secure conditional offers in four of the universities I applied to, as well as an unconditional offer. I received invaluable guidance and assistance. I am eternally thankful for the support.”

“It might seem daunting, but you have your own unique talents and perspectives to offer. Take that leap of faith, and who knows you might find yourself a winner, with a newfound sense of accomplishment and a bright future ahead”.

– Gemma Torres, winner, illuminate 2022

“illuminate is a lovely opportunity to deepen your understanding on particular topics and you’ll be given a unique experience of how you can impact others positively through your interests and passions.”

– Ofure Toweh, winner, illuminate 2019