January 19, 2024
Recently, in the finals of the 2023-2024 CFA Institute Research Challenge Shanghai Regional Competition, a student team from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) International Business School (IBSS) achieved second place. This marks the third consecutive year that an IBSS student team has participated in this competition and it is their best performance to date.
The winning team（from left to right）：Jiaqi Wang, Yuwen Ma, Jialing Yang, Luzi Zhong, Yijun Zhi
Discussing challenges during the competition, Dr. Li Xie explained, ‘Students need to dedicate a substantial amount of time beyond their studies to gather materials and download data from various platforms and databases. Subsequently, they need to organize and analyse the data, establish a clear framework, and make predictions for the future based on in-depth analysis of historical data. This process demands participants to possess strong skills in time management, data mining, analysis, and the art of storytelling.’
Regarding team members’ common challenge of tight deadlines and heavy tasks, Jialing Yang, the team’s captain, pointed out that, ‘To address this issue, we adopted a ‘blocks and focusing’ approach. We scheduled specific time blocks in our individual schedules to focus on preparing for the competition, while also ensuring an adequate amount of rest. We frequently discussed and shared information online to ensure everyone had sufficient time to understand and prepare materials.’
Apart from challenges, team members expressed that the competition brought them more rewards and meaning. During the competition, Yuwen Ma practically applied the knowledge learned in class by handling both the "Business Description" and "Investment Risk" sections, deepening her understanding of the studied photovoltaic industry. Yijun Zhi also mentioned that through close collaboration with teammates and the careful guidance of teachers, he gradually understood and mastered modeling and analytical skills.
Luzi Zhong said, "The competition is also an opportunity to exercise teamwork and organizational abilities. Participating in the competition can cultivate our innovative thinking and the ability to quickly understand an industry. As we hope to continue developing in the financial industry in the future, I believe this is a valuable experience."
Group photo of the winning team
Last but not least, the team emphasized the guidance of their teacher, Dr. Li Xie, the assistant professor in the Department of Finance. "The pleasing competition and the ultimately satisfactory result are greatly thanks to the teacher, all team members, and senior colleagues. The teacher always makes accurate predictions and provides us with precise, high-quality assistance. In the end, I am fortunate to encounter such an outstanding team – united, hardworking, innovative, meticulous. It's Team 7!" said Jiaqi Wang.
The award is the result of the tacit cooperation and joint efforts of IBSS faculty and students. It is also attribut
The CFA Institute Research Challenge is an English-language research competition aimed at finance students from universities worldwide. Each year, top universities from around the globe are invited to participate in this prestigious event. The teams of students selected to compete will conduct research and analysis on a specific publicly traded company, showcasing their abilities in report writing and presentation skills while being tested on best practices for driving stock research and company analysis.
The inaugural CFA Institute Global Research Challenge was launched by the New York Society of Security Analysts in 2002 with only five participating teams. However, over the years, the event has grown tremendously and now attracts participation from over 900 schools across 91 countries.
Currently, there are four local divisions established in China, namely Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Chengdu. The champion teams selected from these local divisions will all advance to the East Asia regional competition. This year, the Shanghai division has a total of 16 participating student teams including Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, New York University Shanghai Campus, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, and the University of Nottingham Ningbo China.
ed to the "student-centered" education system at IBSS and the emphasis on cultivating versatile business professionals. By participating in the CFA Institute Research Challenge, students have had opportunities to exercise and enhance their skills and capabilities while applying what they have learned into practice. In the future, IBSS will continue to focus on nurturing well-rounded individuals with innovative thinking and teamwork spirit who will become future finance practitioners as well as international business talents.
Group photo of all participating groups
As a student-centered institution, IBSS is committed to providing comprehensive and personalized educational experiences. As a business school that emphasizes the development of students' overall qualities and practical abilities, our goal is to cultivate outstanding talents with international perspectives and innovative spirits. In the Finance Department, numerous students have participated in regional and international competitions for many years, achieving remarkable success. For example, in both the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 CFA Institute Research Challenge, IBSS teams reached the finals in the Shanghai region and received awards for best performance. In the 2023 China Future Financial Analyst Competition, exceptional students from the Finance Department represented IBSS and won silver medals. The Finance Department of IBSS will uphold its educational philosophy by continuously teaching students cutting-edge financial knowledge and professional skills to prepare them for future careers in the business world.
January 19, 2024