Launch of CAIA’s 23rd global Chapter marked by events in Mumbai and New Delhi
AMHERST, MASS. and NEW DELHI, INDIA (December 15, 2015) – The Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association, a global leader in alternative investment education, is announcing the launch of its newest Chapter: CAIA India. CAIA’s 23rd global Chapter, CAIA India will provide a community for CAIA Members, offering educational, networking and career events while building awareness of CAIA programs. The asset management industry in India, which is expanding at an annual rate of approximately 12%, is among the fastest growing in the world.
“As the sophistication and size of the alternative investment industry in India have grown and evolved, so too has the demand for best-in-class education,” said William J. Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of CAIA. “Being a CAIA Charterholder signifies the highest level of expertise in alternative investments today. We’ve had CAIA Members on the ground in India since our earliest years, and I’m thrilled now to launch a formal Chapter that will support and engage our vibrant CAIA community here.”
To mark the launch of the new Chapter, CAIA held two events. The first took place in Mumbai on Friday, December 4th, while the second occurred in New Delhi on Tuesday, December 8th. Speakers included Mr. Kelly and Jo Murphy, Managing Director of Asia Pacific for CAIA, who discussed the opportunities and challenges facing the Indian alternative investment space. These events were open to local CAIA Members, candidates, and those interested in learning more about the CAIA Charter.
“With India’s rapid transformation into a leading economic superpower, the local alternative investment industry has steadily grown over the last decade,” said Ms. Murphy. “The industry's estimated size exceeds US$7 billion (as of year-end 2015) and, as a result, coupled with significant growth forecast, India presents a vibrant and flourishing alternative investment community.”
The CAIA India Chapter, currently represented in both Mumbai and Delhi, is dedicated to the mission of building understanding of the diverse field of alternative investments via CAIA’s body of knowledge and raising awareness of the alternative investment industry within India’s financial services industry. The chapter also will provide opportunities for knowledge-sharing, career development, and networking.
"As the alternative investment professional community in India grows, so too does the need for education," said Chapter Executive Jainendra Shandilya, CAIA, Assistant General Manager, Securities and Exchange Board of India. "Our new Chapter provides that and so much more, giving professionals in this fast-moving and fast-growing space the ability to keep up with the latest trends while also connecting them with a community in which they can share ideas, build their networks, and foster further growth of alternatives in India."
The CAIA Association offers the only educational pro¬gram uniquely designed for individuals specializing in institutional-quality alternative investments. The CAIA Charter, which is granted upon successful completion of two levels of qualifying exams combined with relevant professional experience and joining the association membership, is the global benchmark for alternative investment education.
The CAIA Association has grown rapidly since its inception in 2002 and now supports Chapters in financial centers around the world. In just the last year, new Chapters have been launched in China, Australia and the Cayman Islands, as well as in the form of a Virtual Chapter, which brings together members from far-flung locations in more than 60 countries that do not have a physical Chapter in their respective markets.
CAIA sponsors more than 140 educational and networking events each year and has 34 academic partnerships with leading universities around the globe.
“Alternative investing is a global industry, and we need to have global reach to stay connected with our Members and to ensure that our programs speak to the varying needs of professionals from region to region,” said Kelly. “We’re looking forward to fostering greater partnership with our Members in India and continuing to build our community of CAIA Members in this incredibly important market.”
About the CAIA Association
The CAIA Association is the world leader in alternative investment education, offering the only education pro-gram uniquely designed for individuals specializing in institutional-quality alternative investments. The
Association is best known for the CAIA Charter, an internationally recognized credential granted upon successful completion of a rigorous two-level exam series, combined with relevant work experience. Earning the CAIA Charter is the gateway to becoming a Member of the CAIA Association, a global network of more than 8,000 alternative investment professionals located in more than 80 countries. CAIA also offers the Fundamentals of Alternative Investments Certificate Program (FAI), an introductory-level online course,
designed to provide a foundation in the core concepts in alternative investing. This program represents a natural extension of CAIA’s mission to provide solutions to specific market needs for alternative investment education.
To learn more about the CAIA Association, contact Deborah McLean (413) 253-7373 or dmclean@caia.org or Jo Murphy +(852) 3655 0598 / jmurphy@caia.org. For more information on the CAIA Charter, please visit caia.org.
