A brief introduction: Hello Everyone! My name is Ali. I started my career in finance working in the Corporate Banking Unit of a large commercial bank in Pakistan. I then pursued the CFA charter because it is one of the highest qualifications a finance professional can earn. I wanted to improve my professional credibility in the asset management industry while also obtaining a wide array of skills to better evaluate investment options for my clients. After completing the CFA exams, I transitioned into the asset management industry. With the analytical skills and expertise acquired through the CFA charter, I have been experiencing a successful career in equity research for the past eight years.

Why did I take up the FDP challenge? I pursued the FDP designation because the curriculum integrates finance and data science well. The FDP curriculum gave me both foundational knowledge and a new perspective on the future of the industry.

What is great about FDP: The FDP Charter offers a unique opportunity for investment management professionals to integrate the fundamentals of traditional investing with AI, machine learning, and big data. The FDP curriculum taught me to use data to conceptualize problems, visualize results, and present insights to non-technical stakeholders. This knowledge has provided me with a fresh perspective, practical tools, and a robust set of questions to consider before approaching any business problem. Another great thing about the FDP designation is the opportunity to network with the FDP community. It has sparked interesting conversations and helps bring new ideas to the table.

Now that I have completed my FDP Institute studies, I am empowered to apply the skills and concepts to help my company solve many data-related challenges.

My advice for aspiring industry professionals: Stay curious! Not only to stay relevant but also to grow and bring unique ideas to your workplace. Keep questioning how your customers, whether internal or external, will benefit from your value creation initiatives.

About Ali Khurshid

Ali is the Senior Vice President, Head of Research at Al Meezan Investment Management Limited, the largest asset management company in Pakistan. He leads a large research team on the buy-side and advises the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) on asset allocation for the funds under management. Ali is an MBA graduate from the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi, and holds both the CFA and FDP designations.