The title of the Institute contains the words “research” and “technology.” Recognizing that this could be a serious constraint preventing broad participation in our programs, IRAFT’s mission is to integrate financial research and technology into the educational mission at the Villanova School of Business. The Villanova School of Business strives for a balance of teaching and research. This balance is important for the following reasons:

During the Stone Age, the average life span was barely 20 years. It’s understandable that technology was very limited because humans didn’t have a long time to complete the technology cycle. The technology cycle is a cycle of learning our technology from previous generations, maintaining and expanding it through research, and then teaching it to the next generation. The reason that IRAFT is important is that it focuses on the learning, research, and teaching cycle that is integral to maintaining our society.

We are born into a technology. What have we done to deserve this technology? It was left to us by previous generations, people who we cannot thank. As a result, we have an obligation to maintain it, enlarge it, and leave it in good shape for future generations. We do this through student learning, and through faculty research and teaching.

Experiential learning offers the benefit of a deeper understanding of the financial world and therefore, the promise of students better prepared to enter that world. Unfortunately, experiential learning requires participation, your participation. There is no easy road to the benefits provided by experiential learning. You have to participate. Please read through the materials in this website and determine how your participation in IRAFT will benefit both you and the Villanova University Community.

Best wishes for the future,