The wealth of nations and individuals is ever more likely to be influenced by computer algorithms as investors look to computer-powered quantitative trading strategies to generate returns. But underpinning those machines and algorithms are real people, namely the world’s sharpest mathematicians and data scientists. Though not hard to identify, virtually every industry — and especially Big Tech — is competing with the financial world for their skills.
Competition for talent means the campuses of elite universities have become a favoured hunting ground for many groups, and that the very best students and early career academics can command staggering starting salaries should they join the investment world. In an article in the Financial Times (2 June 2018) Dick van Dijk, Professor of Financial Econometrics, explains the popularity of the one-year masters degree in Quantitative Finance at Erasmus School of Economics and the current collaboration with Dutch pension fund APG and the investing specialist Robeco. It boasts that students can “solve complex financial problems through quantitative and empirical research using the latest techniques and sheer computing power”, Van Dijk says.
The entire article in the Financial Times of 2 June 2018 can be found below.