In 2016 five students from the SAF (l-r), Kamaljot Dhaliwal, Daniel Zhang, Brent Small, Rudder Zhang and Adnan Khan, used their diverse co-op and program backgrounds to beat out over 1,000 teams from 70 countries to become the World Champions in a business valuation competition.
The team spent months preparing to present and defend detailed equities research report on a publicly traded company to a panel of industry experts. The SAF team advanced through several rounds over eight months to reach the Global Finals in Chicago, where they competed against University of Georgia, Ateneo de Manila University, and Politecnico di Milano, to capture the championship and a $10,000 prize.
So where are they now?
I landed my dream job right out of school. I couldn't imagine a better job or workplace, and this is due in no small part to my experience at SAF.
I strongly believe that communication skills can always be improved. I have looked for opportunities to present. Whether my presentations have been in front of one person or 500, I have been able to elevate my presentation skills.
Adnan
recently
graduated
from
the
Accounting
and
Financial
Management
and
Master
of
Accounting
(BAFM,
MAcc
2017)
programs,
and
is
now
a
Consultant
at
Deloitte
Consulting
in
Toronto.
I feel fulfilled to have built my foundation in life, but more-so, grateful for every influential catalyst [SAF offered] and obstacle that has helped bring me this far. With an entire future to build in front of me, my aspirations are simple – to have goals, to be inspired, and to continue pursuing life with a humble curiosity.
Success of the team can be attributed to the students being able to maximize the dual natures of their individual programs - accounting and finance in AFM, accounting and science in Biotechnology/CPA, finance and computer science in CFM, and business and math in Math/Business Administration – to bring a diverse set of skills and perspectives needed to capture the world championship. Additionally, Brent, Adnan, Daniel, Kam, and Rudder were all actively involved in the experiential learning offered through co-operative education, and extra and co-curricular activities to help polish the transferrable skills needed to set these SAF students apart from the rest. For each student, the Student Investment Fund was a launching pad for their finance experience and a foot-in-the-door for these driven students.
Brent Small reflects on the highlight of his university career, which certainly rings true for the others.
I’ll forever be grateful to SAF for providing my team and I the opportunity to compete, and win, on the world stage.
April 14, 2016, SAF Students Capture World Championship at the CFA Investment Research Challenge
April 17, 2016, Best in the World! Students Win International Finance Competition
Learn more about our undergraduate programs, and how how our students go #BeyondIdeas