��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Calgary campus opens Centre for Financial Market Research and Teaching at BVC

trevor.kenney — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 21:01:17 +0000

Faculty of Management students at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s Calgary campus at Bow Valley College now have access to the latest in hands-on training technology with the opening of the Calgary Campus Centre for Financial Market Research and Teaching (CFMRT).

The Centre is a state-of-the-art facility, complete with a 42-foot, full-colour LED stock ticker, that focuses on the integration of theory and research with practice. Research databases, trading simulation software, and access to global financial resources allow students to link classroom lessons to real-life securities and markets.

“Our programming is geared toward working professionals looking to earn the skills and credentials needed to advance their careers,” says Lynda Thai-Baird, manager of the CFMRT on the U of L’s Lethbridge campus. “Our focus is to meet the needs of our Calgary campus student population by providing these students the same level of accessibility, and creating a seamless learning experience, on both campuses.”

The Centre, created in collaboration with Bow Valley College, is designed to provide a focal point for research and training in a range of financial disciplines, including investment strategy and portfolio management, financial engineering and risk management, trading and analysis of the microstructure of markets.

In 2010, the U of L’s Lethbridge campus opened the first CFMRT and it has proven to be a big draw for students, giving them the opportunity to participate in real-time exercises under actual market conditions. The Faculty of Management introduced the Student-Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) in 2011, providing $100,000 of real money to be invested under the direction of CFMRT advisors but traded by students enrolled in the specific SMIF course.

“The trading room helps the learning experience by taking the theories we have learned in class and showing how these theories are used by financial professionals on a day-to-day basis using the same software they utilize,” says Tanner Johnson, a fifth-year finance and accounting major and president of the Finance Club. “SMIF takes this further by providing the rare opportunity to learn about the challenges of managing real money while still working within a learning environment.”

Faculty of Management Dean Dr. Bob Boudreau says it was important for the U of L to provide this level of technology for its Calgary students, who are mostly employed mature students looking to enhance their financial literacy and further their careers.

“Opening this space in Calgary furthers the U of L’s mandate as an innovator in new curriculum, business initiatives and software development, which all contribute to enhancing the global competitiveness of our students,” says Boudreau. “This is a big day for us as a Faculty and even bigger for both U of L and Bow Valley College students.”

In addition to the real-time stock ticker, CFMRT also features 40 computer terminals with ultra-wide monitors, two high-end web cameras and a custom-designed digital financial data wall consisting of four, 65-inch LCD displays.

“The CFMRT in Lethbridge quickly established itself as a must-see facility for faculty, students, industry leaders and visitors to campus,” says Dr. Mike Mahon, U of L President and Vice-Chancellor. “It is truly leading-edge technology and allows our students to get instant feedback on their theoretical studies as they participate in hands-on, real-time market activities. This experience is invaluable to them once they graduate.”

In addition to the academic activities taking place in CFMRT, the room in Lethbridge has been used as a site for industry nights, high school trading competitions, university finance competitions, investment clubs and tours, all of which are now possible at the U of L’s Calgary campus at Bow Valley College.

U of L hosts its first ever finance competition for high school students

caroline.zentner — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 16:30:32 +0000

High school students who want to learn the basics of financial investing and stock markets are being encouraged to form teams and participate in the first finance competition of its kind to be held at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

The competition includes a month-long Investment Challenge and a half-day of live competing in the U of L’s Centre for Financial Market Research and Teaching (trading room).

“We want to give high school students an opportunity to learn about the financial market in a relaxed and supportive setting,” says Clayton Varjassy, trading room manager. “Students will learn about creating a portfolio, the importance of diversifying their holdings and making a compelling presentation.”

Before the competition begins, teams will receive a one-on-one session with an organizer to explain how the event works and to answer any questions. Teams are allowed to have one teacher advisor to consult with throughout the competition.

Teams will compete in three main categories. The Investment Challenge from April 18 to May 13 will give teams the opportunity to create a portfolio and buy and sell gold bars, treasury bills and stocks. Teams will privately present their results to a panel of judges during the Investment Challenge Presentation at the U of L on May 27. The Trading Challenge, also on May 27, will give students the chance to compete against each other in real time in two eight-minute challenges.

The top three teams will receive a trophy, with $200 going to the first place team, $100 to the second place team and $50 to the third place team.

The competition has space for 25 teams of three or four students. More information is available on the Faculty of Management websiteand teams can registeronline until March 31.

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��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Calgary campus opens Centre for Financial Market Research and Teaching at BVC

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U of L hosts its first ever finance competition for high school students

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��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Calgary campus opens Centre for Financial Market Research and Teaching at BVC