Understanding the basics of investments and being familiar with the practical issues involved are core life skills everyone must have to efficiently navigate the challenges of personal financial decisions – decisions that will determine their financial health pre and post-retirement. Many Australians have jobs that include mandatory superannuation savings as part of their remuneration. But how many people enter the workforce with an even rudimentary understanding of how superannuation works – and how to navigate the myriad investment choices offered? Those schooled in economics, business and accounting might start with more knowledge about the theory of investment strategies than others. But is it enough?
To start in November 2023, our new teaching unit, Fundamentals of investment strategy, aims to fill what we believe are significant gaps in the university's current undergraduate course offerings in this area and, by extension, in the knowledge base of graduating students.
The course will, first, provide practical life skills in financial investment for students across all disciplines. Importantly, they will learn from the experience of leading investment practitioners – both local and international – something that is currently not offered at Monash.
Second, for students with an academic focus on business and economics, the course will provide valuable additional insights and knowledge from industry professionals to help prepare them for eventual careers in banking, finance and investment management.
Upon completing the unit, students will emerge with extensive theoretical and practical knowledge across the main facets of investment in financial markets – from asset selection, asset allocation and asset accumulation to long-term investment planning, which cannot be gathered from current textbook-based units.
