A student team from Qatar University (QU) has been adjudged the winner 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. 
The QU team, consisting of Asmma al-Maadid, Amira Darwish, Nina Salim, Vineeta Devnani and Lina Rhouma, will now represent Qatar at the regional competition of the CFA Institute Research Challenge on April 10 and 11 in Zurich, Switzerland.
CFA Society Doha recently hosted the finale of the second edition of the local CFA Institute Research Challenge. The 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 Rashid bin Ali al-Mansoori, CEO 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 finished as the second-place team, Northumbria University - Qatar Finance and Business Academy, and QU. Each team was required to write an equity research report on the subject company, ie QNB, 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.
Al-Mansoori 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 towards building a sound and resilient financial sector that will promote sustainable economic growth. ”
Each team had a faculty adviser and an industry mentor from local institutions such as Al Rayan Investment, Qatar Investment Authority and PwC. 
CFA Society Doha also arranged a 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.
CFA Society Doha president Umair Siddique noted, “The CFA Institute Research Challenge gives students practical experience of the investment discipline, mentoring from experienced investment experts and significant learning and networking opportunities.”