The University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) is proud to announce its victory in the prestigious CFA Institute Research Challenge, Atlantic Islands region. The CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Institute is a global association of investment professionals. This notable achievement marks the fourth consecutive win for UCCI, underscoring its commitment to excellence in finance research.
The CFA Institute Research Challenge is an annual, global competition that provides university students with hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis. Students work in teams to research and analyze a publicly traded company; they write a research report on their assigned company with a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold. The culmination of this effort is a presentation of their research to a panel of industry experts.
This year's challenge saw participation from universities across the Atlantic Islands, with UCCI emerging as the regional champion and taking the position of the number one university for finance/equity research in the region.
"UCCI's fourth consecutive win in the CFA Institute Research Challenge is a testament to their dedication and commitment to excellence in finance education," stated Premier and Minister for Education, Hon. Juliana O'Connor-Connolly. "This remarkable achievement not only solidifies UCCI’s position as a leader in regional finance education, but also positions the Cayman Islands as a hub for developing future financial talent. The government is proud to support UCCI’s initiatives that equip our young people with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to excel on the global stage."
The winning team from UCCI comprised of Zeb Yanes-Bush (Team Captain), Chantae Pryce, Britney Bush, Chad Powell, and was guided by Ralston Henry (Industry Mentor) and Professor Kadeshah Swearing (Faculty Advisor).
In early February, the team submitted a comprehensive research paper, securing their place among the top four universities in the region. Following weeks of diligent preparation, the team presented their findings and defended their thesis before a panel of international judges, leading to their unanimous selection as the challenge winners.
President and CEO of UCCI, Dr. Robert W. Robertson, expressed his pride in the team's accomplishment, stating, "This victory is a testament to the dedication and talent of our students and faculty. It reflects UCCI's commitment to fostering academic excellence and practical skills in finance and research."
Dr. Kadeshah Swearing, who organized the team's participation in the event, added, "Our students' ability to stand out in such a rigorous competition demonstrates the quality of our academic programmes and the real-world capabilities of our students. We are thrilled to see their hard work and dedication pay off."
In addition to the team's overall success, Zeb Yanes-Bush was recognized as the best Male Speaker, further highlighting the individual talents within the UCCI team.
With this victory, UCCI will now represent the Atlantic Islands region in the global competition, where they will compete against teams from around the world.
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. Each student is tested on their analytical, valuation, report writing, and presentation skills. They gain real-world experience as they assume the role of a research analyst.
UCCI's repeated success in the challenge reinforces the institution's position as a leader in finance education within the region and on the global stage.
