The Migration+Technology Hub (MTH) Tech Sessions, are practical sessions focused on examining the technological and governance challenges at the nexus of migration and technology. Open to Laurier and Waterloo students and faculty, BSIA scholars and PhD fellows. The MTH, led by the International Migration Research Centre (IMRC), and housed in partnership at the Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA), provides an innovative interdisciplinary space to engage in critical and policy-based scholarship around migration, technology, borders and governance – all underpinned by international human rights frameworks and sustainable development goals.
Financial technology (Fintech) continues to transform global finance, thus making it essential for researchers, professionals and policymakers to understand the tools and systems that drive digital remittances and cross-border transactions. This interactive training session offers a hands-on discussion on the apps, software, and platforms shaping the international remittance landscape. Participants will explore the efficiency, accessibility, and inclusivity of innovative Fintech solutions. They will gain insights into various technologies (for example, digital technologies, mobile money systems, blockchain-based transfers, and AI-driven financial platforms, etc). The session will include demonstrations and practice using leading digital remittance platforms, highlighting their real-world applications across regions, including Southern Africa and beyond. Critically, the session explores how to utilise these technologies within the broader debates on financial inclusion, cost reduction, consumer protection, and digital equity, emphasising how Fintech can promote secure, transparent, and affordable financial flows for underserved and migrant populations. Participants will be equipped with both conceptual and practical understanding of the Fintech and digital remittance ecosystems, driving the future of inclusive finance and sustainable development.
About the Speaker
Dr. Sean Sithole is an International Migration Research Centre (IMRC) Affiliate/Fellow, recently a Balsillie Scholar at the Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA) and a Postdoctoral research fellow at the University of the Western Cape, researching under the MiFOOD network projects, supported by the CIHR, SSHRC, and NFRF, on the COVID-19 pandemic, migration, remittances, food security, and climate adaptation. He has coordinated research on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate change, and migration, and is also involved in journal reviewing, postgraduate lecturing, and supervision. Sean’s research and collaborative work have been supported by or conducted with organisations such as the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), the Scalabrini Institute for Human Mobility in Africa (SIHMA), Stats SA, United Nations agencies, and the European Commission. His research interests include digital remittances, financial technology (Fintech), mobile transfers, the synergies between international migration and urban food security, the nexus between social media and migrant networks, and the role of information and communication technology (ICT) in development. Sean holds a Doctoral (PhD) and a master’s degree in development studies from the University of the Western Cape (UWC), Digital Marketing and Social Media Marketing certificate courses from the University of Cape Town (UCT), and Special Honours and BA degrees from the University of Zimbabwe (UZ).
