General public as well as investors to be offered training in asset management with joint HEC Paris and AXA IM MOOC

Available from April on Coursera, this new MOOC aims to make topics linked to investment and financial markets more intelligible and accessible to the general public. The course is centered on the academic know-how of HEC Paris in the field of finance, and the expertise of AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) in relation to asset management.

The financial landscape has significant implications for everyone despite their age, gender or profession and is becoming increasingly complex as it is constantly evolving due to changing regulation and global demographics. However, the average level of financial literacy remains a concern as highlighted by the March 2014 EFAMA Report on Investor Education, which draws attention to the fact that while ‘small investors’ are expected to make more financial decisions, the challenge of providing more financial education has not yet been met.

AXA IM has chosen to partner with HEC Paris for this project as a recognised leader in financial education; HEC Paris’ "pre-experience Global Masters in Finance” has been consistently ranked as the #1 program worldwide since 2011 by the Financial Times. HEC Paris also has a proven ability in developing advanced and specialised MOOCs, having already developed six MOOCs as well as a collection of MOOC, called SPECIALIZATION, which combines four MOOCs offering training on how to solve ‘real life’ corporate problems. This particular MOOC will be available in English, French and Chinese.

Andrea Rossi, CEO of AXA IM, said: "In a changing and complex world, in which the financial sphere has a growing influence, AXA IM feels that it is essential to share our asset management expertise to increase the accessibility of financial education. The partnership with HEC Paris, an internationally recognised higher education institution, allows us to do so by making high quality training specific to asset management available through an online platform. At AXA IM we are passionate about financial education and this particular MOOC forms part of a range of financial education initiatives that we are involved with."

Peter Todd, Dean of HEC Paris, explains: "This new partnership is part of a broader commitment to create strong links between HEC Paris and AXA IM in the digital field. Combining the academic skillset of HEC Paris with AXA IM who can help bring asset management to life allows us to offer a comprehensive programme on asset management, which has the potential to benefit a broad cross section of people exposed to financial decision making in their everyday lives."

Sing up for Investment Management in an Evolving and Volatile World MOOC by HEC Paris and AXA Investment Managers