| James Kon |
TEAM HIO from Politeknik Brunei (PB) will represent Brunei Darussalam in the grand finale of the CIMB Asean Stock Challenge 2.0 scheduled to take place in Jakarta, Indonesia on January 15, 2018.
The team comprising students Ismail Hazim bin Haji Armi Noor (leader), Awangku Mohd Ishammudin bin Pengiran Zainal Abidin and Awangku Mohd Osman bin Pengiran Haji Mohd Isa grabbed the national champion title yesterday, with their well-prepared strategy papers on stock trading.
The competition challenges students to demonstrate their investment and analytical skills by trading with a virtual start-up capital of $80,000.
The team will get a chance to compete for the $12,000 grand prize and a study trip to Tokyo Stock Exchange if it wins the regional champion title.
The second-year Business Accounting and Finance students hope to try their best in the regional competition and do the country proud.
In an interview, Ismail Hazim said, “We are grateful to be able to take part in this investment challenge as it has opened our eyes and exposed us to real life trading. In addition, it has enabled us to better understand the theoretical aspects of finance and investment that we have learnt so far at PB. One important lesson we have learnt is on the importance of mental strength and readiness when dealing with live stock trading.”
Recalling the team’s performance in the national level competition, he said, “At first, we faced some issues with the log in, and then we did our analysis on which stock to trade. We managed to start trading with our best analysis.”
Brian Wong, Country Manager of CIMB Investment Bank Berhad, in his remarks said, “Brunei had 143 teams comprising 358 participants registered for the CIMB Asean Stock Challenge, a higher number than Thailand (107) and Cambodia (124), despite both countries having more eligible universities as well as more years of participation experience in the competition.”
He also acknowledged the support of Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam (AMBD) and local universities and institutions of higher education for the competition.
“From the discussions and roadshows conducted in the weeks leading to the start of the competition, we were overwhelmed by the interest, energy and commitment from everyone we approached,” Brian noted.
The guest of honour, Mardini bin Haji Eddie, Acting Assistant Managing Director and Executive Director, Treasury and Investment Management Unit, AMBD highlighted that the Brunei Darussalam Financial Sector Blueprint 2016-2025, which was published earlier this year by the AMBD, recognised the importance of human capital development in raising financial literacy standards in Brunei Darussalam.
He urged financial institutions and other stakeholders in the country to continue instilling skills and practical knowledge in students so as to help them survive and thrive in today’s world.
“We need our students, our future workforce, to be properly equipped with a more holistic regional mentality, to have high financial literacy and be well-engaged with the current environment, from knowing how capital markets work to understanding the geopolitical landscape that shapes the economic climate,” he added.
In addition to efforts to promote financial literacy, he said, “AMBD is supportive of all similar efforts by market participants to encourage Bruneian students and youths in increasing their knowledge about capital markets in general. I also note that the Brunei Darussalam Capital Market Association (BCMA), established earlier this year has also been active in its effort to promote financial and investment literacy, through initiatives such as BCMA Investment Challenge (on stock trading) and BCMA Radio Challenge (on financial planning and awareness on investment), all of which are very relevant as Brunei Darussalam prepares for the establishment of the local securities exchange.”
Paul Taylor, CEO of Progresif Cellular, highlighted, “We firmly believe this project will help students to discover new things about themselves, as individuals and business people, and about the world of regional investment management. What is very important here is not so much about winning but accumulation of knowledge.”
Compared to last year, this year’s participation saw a seven per cent increase to over 3,700 teams from 200 universities across six Asean member states.
Mardini presented certificates and prizes to the top three teams of the competition while Paul Taylor distributed prizes to the remaining of the top 10 teams.
Edwan Zukri bin Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Adanan, a member of the Board of Directors of Progresif, the official telecom sponsor of the competition as well as other officials were also present.
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