At Operis, we believe that the most effective way to understand financial modelling is to see how it is applied in practice. Recently, Abbas and Carlos, two members of our team, delivered guest lecture sessions at the University of Toronto (U of T) and the Schulich School of Business, providing students with a practical introduction to project finance modelling and its role in real-world infrastructure and energy projects.
These sessions form part of our broader commitment to developing the next generation of financial modellers, particularly those who may not have previously considered a career in finance.
Across both sessions, the focus was clear: to demystify financial modelling and demonstrate its relevance and practical applications.
At U of T, the session introduced students (many from STEM backgrounds) to the fundamentals of financial modelling, project finance, and how Operis applies these skills in practice. At Schulich, the content went further, exploring modelling best practices, key project finance concepts, and practical applications through a fictional case study based on a passenger rail project.
Rather than focusing solely on theory, the sessions emphasised how financial models are structured and used in live transactions. They covered:
• the distinction between project finance and corporate finance;
• the importance of modelling discipline and best practice;
• how infrastructure projects are evaluated and optimised.
One of the strongest themes to emerge was the value of learning directly from industry practitioners. These sessions provided students with:
• insight into what day-to-day work in financial modelling actually looks like;
• exposure to the level of rigour and structure required in professional models;
• visibility into career pathways – particularly for those outside traditional finance routes.
Financial modelling is not widely taught in depth at the undergraduate level. As a result, direct engagement with specialists helps bridge a meaningful gap between academic theory and industry expectations. For the students, hearing directly from our colleagues helped to answer questions that are rarely covered in textbooks. The response across both institutions was highly encouraging.
At U of T, students were notably inquisitive, engaging with topics beyond the scope of the session, and challenging our speakers with deeper questions around model validation and the role of assumptions in financial decision-making.
At Schulich, many students continued engaging in discussions after the session, particularly around the application of project finance concepts such as gearing and reserve accounts, the role of AI in financial modelling workflows, and what differentiates Operis’s approach in the market.
The level of curiosity displayed, particularly about how modelling translates into real-world impact, was inspiring and reinforces the importance of these engagements.
A central objective was to challenge perceptions about careers in finance and how you can access them. Students were encouraged to:
• explore the field without being deterred by coming from a non-finance background;
• engage with practitioners and build industry awareness early;
• appreciate that modelling best practices are fundamental, not optional.
At Operis, we actively recruit from a wide range of academic backgrounds, particularly STEM. The analytical mindset and problem-solving skills developed in these fields are highly transferable to financial modelling, and we provide all the training and support they need to succeed in the industry when they join us.
Looking ahead into the future, both students and practitioners recognise that the skillset required is evolving.
There is growing emphasis on adaptability, on interpreting data rather than simply building models, and on understanding how tools such as AI can be integrated into workflows. At the same time, the fundamentals remain unchanged. Clear structure, disciplined thinking, and transparency in modelling are as important as ever.
These sessions were not only valuable for students but highly rewarding for our team. Sharing practical insights, answering challenging questions, and engaging with future talent are important parts of what we do.
We look forward to continuing our collaboration with leading institutions such as the University of Toronto and Schulich Business School, and to supporting more students in understanding and entering the field of financial modelling. Because sometimes a single session can spark an interest that opens the door to a rewarding career.
