Kozminski University students advance to the semifinals of the CFA Institute Research Challenge

27.03.2025

A team of Kozminski University students has been named one of the Sub-Regional Champions and will represent Poland and CFA Society Poland in the European semifinal of the prestigious international competition – CFA Institute Research Challenge 2024.

Following the decision of an international jury, which highly praised the analytical depth and professionalism of the participants, selected academic teams from around the world have advanced to the next stage. Alongside Kozminski University, the list of advancing universities includes the University of Hong Kong, the University of Sydney, the University of Navarra, the University of Belgrade, the University of Cape Town, and the University of Neuchatel, among others.

The EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) Regional Semifinal will take place online on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 3:00 PM CET. The presentations will be delivered live and include a dedicated Q&A session with the jury. Due to capacity limitations, participation is limited to the competing teams, their academic advisors, industry mentors, and representatives from the respective CFA Societies.

The Kozminski University team consists of: Zofia Wojtacha (Team Leader), Shaheer Ansari, Oskar Witkowski, Aniket Thakkar, and Anastazja Domek. The team’s academic advisor is Professor Franjo Mlinarić.

Preparations for the competition took several months and included fundamental company analysis, business valuation, the creation of a professional investment report, and a presentation for a panel of hypothetical investors. The students had the opportunity to work closely with experts from CFA Society Poland, who acted as mentors and shared hands-on knowledge in the areas of finance, market analysis, and investment management.

As emphasized by Professor Franjo Mlinarić: “The CFA Institute Research Challenge is an excellent combination of theoretical knowledge and real-world market experience. For students, it’s not only a chance to test their skills in realistic business conditions but also a gateway to a successful career. Based on the professional trajectories of our alumni, we can see that participation in this competition often opens doors to prestigious roles in the international financial sector.”

The CFA Institute Research Challenge is one of the most prestigious international competitions for students in finance and economics. Each year, tens of thousands of students from over 100 countries take part in this global challenge. Its aim is to develop skills in investment analysis, professional reporting, and financial presentation – all aligned with the highest standards of the finance industry. The advancement of Kozminski University students to the semifinal round is a testament to the university’s academic excellence and the strong practical preparation provided to future finance professionals.

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