Zurich Middle East has launched the second edition of Investars, the educational game that allows high school students in Dubai to learn about markets by giving them an opportunity to invest in real life funds.
Introduced in 2018, the Zurich Investars program gives 16-18 year old business and economic students $100,000 in virtual money to invest in the dynamic world of stock markets. The rules are simple: use they money to invest in a short-list of funds selected by Zurich. Participants must pick between 4-12 funds and allocate no more than 40% to a particular fund. Zurich provides live tutorials on investing principles and a range of digital resources.
In addition, this year Zurich has bolstered the learning program giving these youngster's the opportunity to attend the Investars Fair. Attended by financial advisers and asset managers, the budding investors are able to take advantage of one-on-one time with experts, leveraging their advice to build better, more considered investment portfolios.
Understanding the basic concepts of financial decision-making before they take on their own responsibilities, can equip young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to take charge of their lives"
"I am really proud of our Investars program", said Walter Jopp, CEO of Zurich in the Middle East. "Our experience with this initiative has shown us that students actually enjoy and embrace learning about investing and money. Understanding the basic concepts of financial decision-making before they take on their own responsibilities, can equip young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to take charge of their lives."
Last year, students from GEMS Wellington International School built their own investment strategy and spent 6 weeks monitoring their portfolio, learning about market influences and understanding factors impacting the value of their investments. One winner emerged victorious, recording the highest value portfolio at the end of the game. Investar of 2018, Katya Balashova built her strategy using a conservative approach of investment in cash and bonds, which given declining equity markets in October 2018, paid off.
However, 2019 is a new year, with totally different market conditions, and students with a higher risk strategy may stand a better chance at earning themselves first place in the competition to win the grand prize of a AED$1,000 gift card.
Furthermore, students playing the game this year have regular access to mentors from world renowned fund managers: Fidelity International, Schroders and Franklin Templeton. During their weekly investment tutorials, students meet with their coach who further strengthens their investment knowledge and puts market movements into context. Coaches and their teams are also vying for another new addition to this year's Investars program - the team prize.
Students will be racing each other and their teachers towards the finish line on November 13th, when the top Investar will be crowned and the winning team awarded.
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