Sunway University wins Malaysia financial research challenge
University won the national-level Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute Research Challenge recently to advance to the Asia Pacific regional competition after competing against three finalist teams from Universiti Utara Malaysia and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman. It will go against 100 students representing 24 teams next month.
A local, regional and global annual competition, the challenge provides university students with hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis and research report-writing, with presentations conducted and judged in front of a panel of financial and investment experts.
The winning team analysed and presented an investment thesis on Westports Holdings Bhd to a panel of investment industry experts who included Fortress Capital Asset Management director Geoffrey Ng who is also chief judge; VCAM Asset Managers Sdn Bhd senior analyst Vince Ng; and Analysis Department of Asset Management Division investment head Lim Cheng Ean, among others. Geoffrey Ng said this year’s contenders showed significant improvement in quality and knowledge compared to previous participants.
“The winning team was well-rounded in terms of strong research and analytical, writing and presentation skills. Conviction is very important, especially in our industry, and it’s a quality that made the winning team stand out from its contenders.”
Industry adviser to the Sunway University team Teoh Kok Lin, who is also founder and chief information officer of Singular Asset Management, said: “The financial industry is constantly looking for talent and I believe that equity research and analysis go beyond great academics alone.
“The Research Challenge has been tremendous in helping to expose students to real-world industry experience with a global view.
"I hope this will inspire more students to look at the financial industry as a career path.”
Hopes are high for the winning team as it prepares for the Asia Pacific Research Challenge finals. Team member Wong Huey Teng said that despite being ecstatic over its win, it is also humbled.
“This is a local level competition and we need to continue to benchmark ourselves with the best to win at the regional and global competitions.”
Meenachiramnathan Arun, also on the winning team, added: “With Malaysia being the home ground for this year’s global challenge, we should aim to make the country proud by winning it.”
Sunway team faculty adviser Michelle Choo said: “This is a great platform for university students because the experience itself and the people they meet and learn from is something that they can never get from a classroom education alone.”
Phua Yee Boon, organising chair of the CFA Research Challenge for CFA Society Malaysia, said it has been an exciting journey to nurture these students’ interest in equity research and financial analysis.
“There are ample opportunities for future generations of investment professionals to contribute to a more sustainable, purposeful finance industry in the nation,” he added.
CFA Society Malaysia, holding the Research Challenge for the ninth year, fielded more than 55 students from 10 universities across the country. Throughout Asia Pacific, more than 1,100 students from 280 universities participated in country-level contests. Worldwide, more than 5,000 students representing over 1,000 teams from universities in more than 80 countries have been part of the 2018 competition.
The regional and global competitions will be held from April 26-27 in Kuala Lumpur.