A team of four University of Stirling MSc students have won first place in the prestigious Global Investment Banking Valuation Olympiad, beating off entries from almost 470 teams comprising 5,000 participants.
MSc Investment Analysis students Nhung Nguyen (Lily) and Quynh Huong Nguyen (Jenny) and MSc International Accounting and Finance students Yu Luo (Scarlett) and David Cika Bodika presented a proposal for the merger of two companies, defeating competition from other finalists including University College London, University of Miami, the Polytechnic University of Milan and Warsaw School of Economics.
Organised by London-based Global Banking Training in partnership with Greensea Capital LLP, the competition had three competitive stages starting with an online business valuation test.
Candidates then identified a potential takeover target listed on the London Stock Exchange and a possible bidding company, and produced a proposal justifying and pricing the transaction. Both companies identified by the Stirling team are in the telecommunications sector.
The competition culminated in a presentation of the proposal at a final in London. The team received a £1,000 prize for their victory, while team leader Lily won a one-month internship with Greensea Capital.
David Bodika is the holder of a Chevening scholarship, while Lily and teammate Jenny are holders of Karen Napier Scholarships, awarded annually to MSc Investment Analysis students through the generous support of the Karen Napier Charitable Trust. Lily said: “We made our presentation as close to the real world of investment banking as possible, focusing on the strategic justification for our proposal as well as the valuation exercise. This was the key to our success.”
Dr Kevin Campbell, Programme Director of MSc in Investment Analysis, said: “Our students thoroughly deserve their victory, won in the face of stiff competition. Their achievement is a richly deserved recognition not only of their knowledge of company valuation but of their ability to be creative and to present their ideas in a convincing manner. It is also a reflection of the skills they have developed during their time studying in Stirling Management School and of the quality of support we provide.”
The Management School students’ success comes just months after a team of five MSc students won first place in the UK final of the global CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Institute Research Challenge, considered to be the ‘Investment Olympics’ for university students.
Notes for editors
- Background information
Media enquiries to Rachel MacBeath, Communications Officer on 01786 466 169 or r.a.macbeath@stir.ac.uk
Notes for editors:
University of Stirling
The University of Stirling is ranked fifth in Scotland and 40th in the UK for research intensity in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework. Stirling is committed to carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions and helping to shape society.
Interdisciplinary in its approach, Stirling’s research informs its teaching curriculum and facilitates opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration between staff, students, industry partners and the wider community.
At almost 50-years-young, Stirling retains a pioneering spirit and a passion for innovation. Its scenic central Scotland campus – complete with a loch, castle and golf course – is home to more than 12,000 students and 1500 staff representing 120 nationalities. This includes an ever-expanding base for postgraduate study.