UPSA dazzles at CFA Institute Research Challenge 2022

The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) was the centre of attraction at this year’s Global Financial Analytics (CFA) Institute Research Challenge as students from the institution dazzled the judges and audience with their sterling performance at the competition.

Although team UPSA emerged as first runners-up at the annual global competition that assesses students on their analytical, valuation, report writing, and presentation skills, the fantastic performance of the university’s team got many applauding and admiring.

The team scooped 230 out of 300 points to emerge tops in the written report category which had institutions like the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) and Ashesi University in contention.

They also wowed the audience with their display of professional presentation skills and analytical acumen to pick home a cash price of 3,000 Ghana cedis at the 2021/2022 maiden local finals.

As part of the price package, team members will also be provided with an internship opportunities with any of the sponsoring companies including IC Securities, Black Star Brokerage and Stanbic Investment.

Team UPSA was represented by Emmanuel Ashigbey, Theophilus Nuer, Gifty Quansah and Gabriel Abbey, all from the faculty of Accounting and Finance.

During the competition, each contesting team was divided into two groups. Group A was coached by a faculty advisor while Group B was supervised by an industry mentor, with judges scoring each group independently.

The UPSA team was supported in their effort by faculty advisors, Andrews Doeh Agblobi and Dr. James Doku.

According to organisers, the rationale for the competition was to help students hone their company valuation skills.

Some of the companies that were valued included MTN Ghana, Ecobank Ghana Plc and Tullow Oil among others.

The CFA Institute Research Challenge is an annual global competition that provides university students with hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis and professional ethics. Students are tested on their analytical, valuation, report writing, and presentation skills. They gain real-world experience as they assume the role of a research analyst.

The competition is categorized into three phases – local, regional and global competition, with the winner at each stage progressing to the next level.

Preparation for the competition begins in September every year and competing schools have up till February the next year to present their findings before a panel of judges.