2017 winners of BOV Investment Education Programme announced

The 21 winners of the 2017 BOV Investment Education Programme were announced during a ceremony organised at the Old University in Valletta. Professor Joseph Falzon, head of the Department of Banking and Finance accompanied by David Pace Ross, senior manager at Bank of Valletta presented the awards to the three top performing teams. The ceremony was presided over by Countess Sophie of Wessex during her visit to Malta last month.

The winning team outperformed their peers in a virtual portfolio simulation that ran between 16 November and 17 June. Competing students were in their final year, reading for an Honours degree in Banking and Finance at the University of Malta.

The Investment Education Project has been run annually for final year students at the Department of Banking and Finance at the University of Malta. Speaking about the collaborative effort, Pace Ross said: “Over the years that this project has been running, we have witnessed the world of financial services transform itself from one of the most resistant to change to one of the most dynamic sectors in the economy, not only locally but also on a European and international level. Probably today, more than ever before, this project serves to give students the opportunity to experience the world of equity-trading, before they embark on their own career.”

Professor Falzon explained that the students have access to a virtual portfolio through the bank’s 24x7 Internet Banking platform. They are given a virtual sum of €1,000,000 to invest in listed shares worldwide and are required to draw up an investment strategy that generates the best return. “Our teams are judged on their ability to implement the strategy, as well as the rationale for selecting the stocks, and of course, the profits or losses made,” explained the dean of the Faculty. He said that in their final year, students have always participated keenly in this project which enables them to apply their learning in a virtual scenario.

The members of the winning team were Nicole Catania, Aidan Falzon, Daniel Fenech, Sefora Fenech, Daniel Grech, Jason Micallef, Raina Pace and Claire Sultana. During the same ceremony, a number of prizes were also given to students who achieved a First Class classification and who achieved an A grade in their dissertation.