University of Bahrain Wins 6th CFA Institute Research Challenge in Bahrain
Winners will represent the Kingdom at EMEA regional finals in Amsterdam
Bahrain, 26 March 2015 – University of Bahrain became the 2014-15 CFA Institute Research Challenge winner in Bahrain, beating competitor universities in a close final hosted by CFA Society Bahrain, the Kingdom's pre-eminent association for local investment professionals. The competing teams researched the operation and financial performance of Zain Bahrain, the most innovative operator in the Kingdom.
The winning team will represent Bahrain at the EMEA regional competition, to be held in Amsterdam, Netherlands on 2nd April 2015. The winners of the EMEA regional final will compete at the global finals in Atlanta, Georgia, USA in April.
The competition featured four teams from top local universities, including Ahlia University, Bahrain Institute of Banking, Royal University for Women and the University of Bahrain. The teams presented to a panel of judges an equity research report on Zain Bahrain followed by a Q&A session led by the judges.
Mahmoud Nawar, President of CFA Society Bahrain, said: "For the sixth consecutive year, the research challenge has offered young talent a special opportunity to develop valuable financial analysis skills and work closely alongside top industry professionals. We continually strive to educate young students about the field of investment research and the importance of professional integrity and international best practices. Thank you to all of the teams and respective universities for their committed participation and good luck to the University of Bahrain team as you commence the next phase of the competition in Amsterdam."
Pakiza Abdulrahman, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager of Zain Bahrain, commented: "Our partnership with CFA Society Bahrain is line with Zain Bahrain's strategic objectives in supporting the empowerment and development of youth through education. I hope all of the students who participated are proud of their individual and collective successes throughout this competition. The rising popularity of the CFA program in the Kingdom is very positive and acts as a platform to showcase the financial talent available within Bahrain, to encourage young graduates to pursue a career in the unique and rewarding field of investment research, and to seriously consider the CFA program as the qualification of choice"
The CFA Institute Research Challenge, an educational competition for university students, offers participants the opportunity to assume the role of investment research analysts and subsequently develop and present an equity research report, which was based this year on Zain Bahrain. Student teams compete on a global basis with peers from top business schools.
Each team was closely mentored by a professional research analyst and CFA charterholder during the initial research process. After drafting the report and receiving feedback from the designated mentor, each team writes a final research report which is presented to a panel of experts from top financial institutions.
