CFA Society Doha recently hosted the finale of the second edition of the local CFA Institute Research Challenge – an annual global competition that provides university students with hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis. CFA Institute Research Challenge encompasses the values from the CFA Institute Future of Finance initiative, a global effort to shape a trustworthy, forward-thinking investment management industry that better serves society. The finale was attended by Mr. Rashid Bin Ali Al Mansoori, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Stock Exchange and other dignitaries and industry professionals.

This year's participating teams included AFG College with the University of Aberdeen in Qatar, who are the second place team, Northumbria University Qatar Finance and Business Academy and Qatar University. Each team was required to write an equity research report on the subject company i.e. Qatar National Bank (Q.P.S.C.) with an investment recommendation. At the finale, the teams presented their equity research to an independent panel of judges from the financial sector in Qatar.

The student team from Qatar University consisting of Asmma Al-Maadid, Amira Darwish, Nina Salim, Vineeta Devnani and Lina Rhouma was adjudged the winner and will now represent Qatar at the regional competition of the CFA Institute Research Challenge on April 10 and April 11 in Zurich, Switzerland.

Mr. Rashid Bin Ali Al Mansoori, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Stock Exchange, said, “I am proud to see students from Universities in Qatar and professionals from local institutions come together to drive the nation’s financial sector. This reflects upon Qatar’s future steps toward building a sound and resilient financial sector that will promote sustainable economic growth. Our vision is driven by developing human capital - with a young population and a strong economy, I am confident we will continue to maintain growth. CFA Doha Society is playing a pivotal role by providing mentors to Qatar’s youth who are in turn not only representing Qatar locally but they are taking their knowledge and representing the country on regional and hopefully global levels too.”

Each team had a faculty advisor and an industry mentor from local institutions such as Al Rayan Investment, Qatar Investment Authority and PwC. The CFA Society Doha also arranged financial modelling workshop for the teams. As part of this competition, students conducted in-depth analysis on a listed company’s stock and produced a comprehensive equity research report. The winning team was chosen based on the thoroughness of their written report and presentation at the finale.

President of the CFA Society Doha, Umair Siddique, commented “The CFA Institute Research Challenge gives students practical experience of the investment discipline, mentoring from experienced investment experts and significant learning and networking opportunities. Through the Research Challenge and other initiatives of CFA Society Doha, we hope to increase collaboration between academia and the financial industry, provide a platform for discussion on key investment themes, improve skill sets of students and ultimately improve the standards of investment and finance discipline in Qatar.”

The winning team from Qatar University said: “The CFA Research Challenge was a wonderful learning opportunity as it provided us with an understanding of investments as well as hands-on experience of equity research. The CFA Society Doha did a great job in supporting us and organizing this amazing competition. We learned new skills, gained knowledge and increased our access and network to industry professionals. We are very excited and look forward to doing well at the regional competition in Switzerland.”

The event, which was attended by a large number of financial market professionals in Qatar, concluded with a networking dinner.

The CFA Institute Research Challenge is an annual global competition that provides university students with hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis. Each Research Challenge season leverages the efforts of over 150 CFA member societies, 3,500 volunteers, and more than 5,500 students from over 1,100 universities globally. Local competitions (organized by CFA societies) lead up to regional finals; regional champions then convene for the global final.

Currently, there are 170 CFA certified professionals in Qatar and 725 candidates. The top employers of CFA Charterholders and candidates in Qatar include Al Rayan Investment, Qatar Investment Authority, Qatar National Bank, Qatar Islamic Bank, Qatar Insurance Company, Qatar Central Bank, KPMG, Ernst and Young, Qatar Petroleum, QInvest and Barwa Bank.

Source: Press release

Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar

Binu Cherian

Start a discussion