Qatar University (QU) team sealed first place in the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Research Challenge sixth edition, organized by The CFA Society in Doha. This year's participating teams included students from QU, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), and the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST).

This global event highlights the academic performance strengths of university students. It serves as detailed training sessions, providing them with practical skills in financial analysis and exposing them to valuable financial industry insights. The CFA Research Challenge is considered a commitment to shaping the future of the leading financial management industry. The challenge aligns with the initiative of the CFA Institute for the future of finance, providing detailed training to university students and offering them practical financial analytical skills and a closer look at the industry.

The primary challenge in this sixth edition revolved around presenting a comprehensive research report in the field of stocks on the topic of “Nakilat-Qatar Gas Transport Company Ltd.” Each participating team prepared a detailed report, including an investment recommendation. These reports were examined during the final ceremony by an independent committee of judges, prominent figures within the financial sector in Qatar.

The QU team was led by Dr. Houcem Smaoui, Associate Professor of Finance at the College of Business and Economics, and was comprised of Advaita Nair, Lina Mohamed, Noorhan Mahroof, and Zoya Arif. The team delivered an outstanding performance, earning them the opportunity to represent Qatar in the upcoming sub-regional competitions.

In a statement, the winning team expressed their gratitude for the valuable experience gained, affirming that this research challenge is a unique opportunity for university students to gain practical experience in the world of finance. They noted sharpening many essential skills and acquiring exceptional knowledge regarding stock evaluation and the concerned company, along with engaging with industry professionals and benefiting from their experiences.

Each participating team received guidance from academic advisors and mentors from esteemed local institutions such as Al-Rayan Investment, Qatar National Bank (QNB), Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB), UBS Groups, Brazen Holdings, and Barwa Real Estate, who conducted workshops to shape financial data, equipping students with the necessary skills.

It is worth mentioning that the CFA Institute's research challenge is a global competition, attracting participation from university students from over 1000 universities worldwide. Annually, more than 6,000 students benefit from this opportunity, supported by a network of over 150 member associations and 3000 dedicated volunteers. Local competitions lead to regional finals, with the winners advancing to the global finals.