My Journey in the GCBQ Programme and Lessons from Comparative Central Banking

My name is Jaheed Parvez, a Bangladeshi national currently working at the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. AFI is a global network of central banks and financial regulators working together to promote financial inclusion. Through my work, I have the privilege of supporting policymakers from across the globe and implementing inclusive financial sector policies.

I decided to join the MSc in Global Central Banking and Financial Regulation at Warwick Business School because the program connects directly with what I do every day. Working with the financial sector regulators has made me realize how important it is to understand their structures, mandates, and how they respond to global and domestic challenges. This program felt like the perfect opportunity to do that while continuing my professional work.

So far, I have completed Comparative Central Banking and Financial Regulation and Supervision, and I am now doing my third module, Financial Conduct, Leadership and Ethics. Among the courses I have taken, Comparative Central Banking has been my favorite. It was my first module, and it opened my eyes to how central banks differ across countries in their goals, independence, and approaches to monetary and financial stability. I particularly enjoyed learning about how central banks evolve to respond to new realities, whether it’s inflation, digital finance, or climate risks.

This module helped me connect theory with real-world experience. For example, when I recently led the drafting of a joint AFI–ILO policy brief on “The Role of Central Banks and Financial Sector Regulators in Job Creation in Africa,” I found myself drawing on lessons from this course. Understanding the comparative experiences of central banks helped me write recommendations that were not just technical, but also practical and relevant to the realities of developing economies.

What I like most about the Warwick programme is that it combines academic depth with real-world relevance. The online learning format is flexible and allows me to manage my studies alongside a full-time job.

For anyone working in financial regulation, policy, or development, I would strongly recommend this programme. It gives you a global perspective, builds your confidence to engage with complex financial topics, and helps you connect with professionals from around the world who share the same passion for building stronger and more inclusive financial systems.