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12 November 2021 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied
The group that went through to the finals of the CFA Institute Research Challenge, was from the left: Jan Hendrik Grobbelaar; Frans Benecke, Dr Ivan van der Merwe, Sacha Bourquin, and Johann Schlebusch.

Due to their knowledge and skills, charter holders are in high demand in the finance industry. A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) qualification sets extremely high standards of integrity and excellence, and these professionals are thus highly sought after in the investment management industry.

Dr Ivan van der Merwe, Lecturer in the Department of Economics and Finance at the University of the Free State (UFS), says the CFA Society South Africa recently (27 October) hosted the 13th annual local edition of the CFA Institute Research Challenge. “This research challenge is an annual global competition in equity research presented by the CFA Institute, which is the global representative body for CFA charter holders.”

Exceptional performance 

In a very competitive university challenge, one of the two UFS teams that entered made it through to the regional finals, along with one team each from the University of Johannesburg (UJ), the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB), and the University of Cape Town (UCT).

Besides having the opportunity to compete with the best, the research challenge also offered students the chance to learn from leading industry experts on how to perform in-depth company analysis and to present their findings,” says Dr Van der Merwe. 

He explains that during this challenge, students had to assume the role of a sell-side research analyst and were scored by a CFA judging panel on their ability to value a specific company – Impala Platinum in this case. They had to write a concise report that covered various aspects related to the company’s business activities, structure, governance, finances, etc., after which they had to present their recommendation in terms of buying or selling the company. In addition, finalists also had to make a formal presentation via Zoom to a panel of judges from the CFA Society South Africa, where they had to justify their valuation by answering several questions posed by the judges. 

“Although the team from USB won the finals, it was still an exceptional performance for the UFS to make it to the top four teams in the country,” states Dr Van der Merwe.

Mentored by the best

Selection of the two teams of four members each representing the UFS during the 2021 challenge was based on the students’ performance during the first semester of their BCom Honours (specialisation in Financial Economics and Investment Management) in the Department of Economics and Finance.

Once selected to enter the competition, the team members were coached by an industry mentor as well as a faculty adviser. 

Dr Van der Merwe, who was the team’s adviser, says, “I was very impressed with the dedication that this group showed during the competition. It took many days and even some sleepless nights for them to produce an impressive final product within a short period.”

He believes the experience they gained during this challenge will stand them in good stead. “To successfully complete a very stressful live presentation and subsequent question session was a confidence builder for the teams. They made us proud and will inspire future Finance students at the UFS to follow in their footsteps.”

Winners of the regionals will proceed to participate in the international final, which is, according to Dr Van der Merwe, an extremely prestigious achievement, since more than 1 000 universities compete annually.  

News Archive

It’s Rag Time!
2014-01-14

 

Zakes Bantwini, Mango Groove and Robbie Wessels 
Photos: Supplied

Kovsie Rag Community Service will start 2014 off with the well-known Rag festivities, with enthusiastic students already starting with float building in January. The theme for Rag CS 2014 is ‘Movies.’

As from 20 January, a cheerful atmosphere will be present at the Kovsie Rag farm, with senior and junior students working hard, while social cohesion is developing between them. Great entertainment will be part of these festivities, with the likes of DJ Euphonik and Adam performing on 31 January.
In the midst of all these activities, the annual ‘Chicken Run’ evening collections will take place on 21, 23 and 28 January, as well as the Ritsim sales in Bloemfontein and surrounding areas on 24-25 January.

The hard work will reach its peak with the judging of the floats on the morning of 1 February, after which the floats will depart at 09:00 for the first procession of the day. This route will end at Twin City Mall at 11:00, where 10 000 meals will be distributed to communities in Heidedal and Mangaung. Learners from Heidedal schools will entertain the public with their talents.

Our very popular family festival will already start at 16:00 with the opening of the gates at Chevrolet Park Cricket Stadium. Young and old will be entertained by well-known and vibrant artists, such as Robbie Wessels, Mango Groove, Zakes Bantwini, as well as a spectacular firework show. Come early to ensure a great spot on the grass.

The float winners will be announced at 17:00, whereafter the main procession of the day will depart from the Tempe robot in Nelson Mandela Drive at 18:00. The public can look forward to this ever popular procession through the streets of Bloemfontein, with decorated floats and students cradling collection tins proceeding to Chevrolet Park. The 2012/2013 UFS Rag queen, Mr Rag and their retinue will greet the public from the main float. Finalists for the 2013/2014 UFS Rag queen and Mr Rag titles, as well as drum majorettes, will also accompany the procession.

Do not miss out on this wonderful family festival – come early, bring your family and picnic blanket/chairs to ensure a great spot on the grass – a variety of refreshments will be on sale.

Tickets available from Computicket and entrance gates.

Tickets: R60 per person
R30 per child under 12

We would also like to make use of this opportunity to remind you of our vibrant 2013/2014 UFS Rag coronation ball, where the UFS Rag queen and Mr Rag CS for 2014 will be crowned on 14 February 2014 in the Callie Human Centre, UFS Campus.

Limited tickets will be available at R500 per couple and can be bought from the Rag Community Service office from 5 February 2014.

Enquiries:

Karen Scheepers +27(0)51 401 2423 ( ScheepersK@ufs.ac.za )
Esmé Wessels +27(0)51 401 3769 ( Wesselse@ufs.ac.za )

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