Leaders of tomorrow exercise finance-based analytical skills

Organised by North South University (NSU) Finance Club for the fourth time, Blueprints 4.0 --a financial modeling competition-- this year had 152 teams competing from 27 esteemed universities of the country. The moral of Blueprints has always been to enhance the students' expertise in the numerous fields of finance, particularly financial modelling, and groom their analytical and smart decision-making dexterity.

Blueprints 4.0 commenced on November 11 through roadshows in 15 universities in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet. The first round of the competition, which was a case solving round, led to the selection of only 34 teams after their display of knowledge regarding financial modelling, economics and other business fields. The second round intensified further as a more challenging case had to be solved and presented in front of the judges. This led to eight of the best teams of Bangladesh to proceed to the final round after they had shown their skills and knowledge in themes involving financing, investment and speculation. In the final round, the teams had to do detailed valuation of a publicly listed company and prepare a financial model in front of the seasoned investment professionals and leaders of the industry.

After a month long display of brilliance and talent, Team Barely Managing from Jahangirnagar University became champions; whereas Team Broke Billionaires from North South University and Team Bear Bulls from North South University succeeded in becoming first and second runner-up respectively. In the grand finale hosted in North South University premises on December 12, prize money of Tk 0.2 million, Tk 0.1 million and Tk 50,000 were awarded to the winners, first and second runner-up respectively.

Dr Toufic Ahmad Chowdhury, director general of Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM), was present as the chief guest. Also present during the finale were Arif Khan, CEO and MD of IDLC Finance Limited, Muklesur Rahman, CEO and MD of Shimanto Bank Limited and Helal Ahmed, executive vice-president of IFIC Bank.

The writer is a first year undergraduate student of North South University (NSU). He can be reached at [email protected]