The Educational Trust Awards celebrate high standards of work among students studying CISI accredited courses around the UK. For the first time, they have benefited both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Each student was nominated by their university on the basis of excellence in an item of work or exam. The winners each receive a financial award to support their ambitions for a career in financial services career. Postgraduate winners receive £1,000 each and undergraduates £500 each.
Essay challengeIn addition each individual was invited to submit an essay of 400 words for the opportunity to achieve a further financial award and then attend an interview with the Educational Trust. They also sat a general knowledge test.
The essay title for 2015 was ‘What is the difference, if it exists, between investing and gambling? Which category do derivative trading and spread betting fall into?"
The top performing postgraduate was Lauren Affleck, a postgraduate student from Glasgow Caledonian University (receiving £2,000) and the top performing undergraduate was Alex Stevenson from University of Birmingham (receiving £1,000).
"I know that such a prestigious award will help further my career in the financial services industry"Lauren said: “Winning a CISI Educational Trust Award is something I am extremely proud of and would like to thank everyone involved in the trust. I know that such a prestigious award will help further my career in the financial services industry and look forward to a continued professional relationship with the CISI.”
Alex said: “The interview day experience strengthened my enthusiasm to embark on a career within investments. I especially enjoyed the discussion with trustees relating to the essay title and recent macroeconomic trends.”
Postgraduates Deepak Lalwani Idnani of University of the West of England, and Jonas Rebmann of Aston University both received special commendations (receiving £500 each).
Deepak commented: “With significant competition for the best finance sector opportunities, being part of this initiative will help me to stand out from the crowd. The whole experience was incredibly rewarding for me. It gave me the opportunity to meet talented senior people from the industry.”
Jonas said: “The CISI Educational Trust Award is a big achievement and provides motivation to successfully finish my studies and progression through my career. Taking part in the award process was a valuable experience for me to take forward.”
Clare Gore Langton, Chartered FCSI(Hon), Chairman of the Educational Trust, is pictured, centre, with the four main winners. They are, from left, Lauren Affleck, Deepak Lalwani Idnani, Jonas Rebmann and Alex Stevenson.
Clare Gore Langton, Chartered FCSI(Hon), Chairman of the Educational Trust, is an investment director, with over 25 years of experience of working with private client investment portfolios. She concluded: “The trustees were pleased with the quality of the candidates and their essays. But I would encourage them to ensure their general knowledge is always up to date. The message is less Facebook and more Bloomberg please!”
The roll of honour
| | Postgraduate | Aston University |
| | Postgraduate | CASS Business School |
| | Postgraduate | Coventry University |
| | Undergraduate | Coventry University |
| | Postgraduate | Glasgow Caledonian University |
| | Postgraduate | ICMA, University of Reading |
| | Postgraduate | Imperial College London |
| | Postgraduate | Queen Mary University London |
| | Postgraduate | University of Birmingham |
| | Undergraduate | University of Birmingham |
| | Postgraduate | University of Edinburgh |
| | Postgraduate | University of Exeter |
| | Postgraduate | University of Portsmouth |
| | Postgraduate | University of the West of England |
| | Postgraduate | Westminster Business School, University of Westminster |