How an MFWM student applied learning in a national Olympiad

My experience as an MFWM student at the Franklin Templeton National Mutual Fund Olympiad

March 18, 2026

My name is Aditya Bakiwala, a student of SP Jain Global’s Master of Applied Finance and Wealth Management (MFWM) program, and I am from Jaipur. I have been passionate about finance from a very early age, largely influenced by growing up around my father’s wealth management business.

Why the MFWM program?

When I came across the Master of Applied Finance and Wealth Management (MFWM) program at SP Jain School of Global Management, it immediately stood out to me because of its strong focus on wealth management, investment strategies, and financial markets. The program offered exactly the kind of structured and in-depth learning I was looking for to deepen my understanding of this field.

Combined with SP Jain Global’s world-class faculty and the opportunity to study in a dynamic financial hub like Mumbai, the MFWM program felt like the perfect platform for me to further develop my knowledge and pursue a long-term career in finance and wealth management.

Entering the Franklin Templeton National Mutual Fund Olympiad

SP Jain Global provided us with the opportunity to participate in the Franklin Templeton National Mutual Fund Olympiad, and I saw it as a great platform to test the knowledge I had built over the past few years. Since the Olympiad’s questions and syllabus were closely aligned with the topics we were studying in the MFWM program—particularly in the Foundation in Wealth Management module—it felt like the perfect opportunity to apply what I had been learning in a competitive environment.

On challenging myself

I was motivated by the idea of challenging myself and understanding how my knowledge compared with participants from across the country who share the same interest in finance and investing.

Competing on a national level

Competing at a national level was a very rewarding experience. It pushed me to think more analytically about mutual funds, portfolio construction, and investment strategies. The experience not only strengthened my understanding of the subject but also gave me the confidence to apply academic concepts to real-world financial discussions.

How being an MFWM student helped me

One of the most relevant subjects from the MFWM program that helped me during the Olympiad was Foundation of Wealth Management. This course provided a strong base in understanding various financial products such as mutual funds, Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), and other investment instruments in depth.

Approaching problems like a real-life wealth manager

Beyond just learning about products, the course also emphasised how a wealth manager should approach portfolio construction. It taught us how to evaluate important factors such as a client’s risk appetite, financial goals, investment horizon, and overall financial situation before recommending any investment strategy.

Seamlessly blending theory and practice

These concepts were extremely helpful during the Olympiad because many questions required not only theoretical knowledge of mutual funds but also practical thinking about how investment products fit into a client’s portfolio. The structured understanding I gained from the program made it easier to analyse questions and approach them from a real-world wealth management perspective.

How the Olympiad shifted my perspective

Participating in the Franklin Templeton National Mutual Fund Olympiad significantly deepened my understanding of financial markets and investment concepts. Preparing for the competition encouraged me to study more extensively and explore financial topics in greater depth than before.

A structured approach is the best approach

The process pushed me to think more analytically about investments, particularly in areas such as mutual funds, portfolio diversification, and risk management. It also reinforced the importance of having a structured approach when evaluating financial products and making investment decisions.

The learnings I will take with me

Overall, the Olympiad helped me strengthen both my knowledge and confidence in understanding financial markets. It encouraged me to look at investing more thoughtfully and reinforced the importance of continuous learning in the field of finance and wealth management.

As I move forward in the program, I will carry this mindset of disciplined learning and practical application, which will be essential in building a successful career in wealth management.