Top universities to compete in 2024/25 CFA Institute Research Challenge

CFA Society Sri Lanka announced the selection of the top four teams for the local finals of the 2024/25 edition of the CFA Institute Research Challenge competition.

Following an extensive grading process, CFA Society Sri Lanka announced that two teams from the University of Kelaniya and one team each from the University of Colombo and University of Sri Jayewardenepura have qualified for the local finals, scheduled for February 27, 2025, at Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel, Colombo.

Each university team, consisting of five students, will present their analysis and buy/sell/hold recommendations on the subject company, WindForce PLC, to a panel of distinguished judges from the investment community. Their presentation marks the culmination of months of in-depth research, rigorous training and interviews with company management, guided by their faculty advisor and an assigned industry mentor.

The winners of the local finals will advance to the sub-regional competition, with the opportunity to progress further to the regional and global competitions. The CFA Institute Research Challenge Global Final will take place in Chicago, USA in May 2025.

CFA Society Sri Lanka President Rashmi Peiris Paranavitane, CFA stated, “I’m pleased to see the remarkable enthusiasm that this year’s competition has generated, with a record number of teams participating in this prestigious global competition. The CFA Institute Research Challenge offers university students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in equity research, financial modelling and presentation skills, all while receiving mentorship from top industry professionals. This exposure not only enhances students’ technical expertise but also strengthens their ability to communicate complex financial analyses effectively.”

CFA Society Sri Lanka Research Challenge Committee Chair Vijith Karunaratne, CFA commented, “It is inspiring to witness the increasing interest from universities in the CFA Institute Research Challenge. This initiative goes beyond technical financial skills—it fosters critical thinking, ESG integration and effective communication, which are essential for today’s investment professionals.”

This year, the CFA Institute Research Challenge in Sri Lanka is hosted by CFA Society Sri Lanka with the Colombo Stock Exchange being the Platinum sponsor.