Their Goal is America

Students from Izmir University of Economics (IUE) have reached the finals of the ‘Research Challenge’, a competition organized by the CFA Institute, one of the most prestigious institutions in the field of finance. The five-member team analyzed a company's financials and compiled their findings into a report in a competition that featured 34 teams from 25 universities. The IUE students received top marks from the jury for their analyses on investment risks, stock valuation, and the company's environmental, social, and governance-based (ESG) investments. Strengthening its success streak, Izmir University of Economics has made it to the finals for the fourth time in the past five years.

The team, consisting of Pelda Akıncı, Muhammet Kayhanlar, Orkun Yılmaz, Yusuf Eren Çelik, and Utku Sarıaslan from IUE Faculty of Business, Department of International Trade and Finance, became one of the five teams advancing to the finals, which will take place in Istanbul on February 20, 2025. If they win the final, they will qualify for the Regional Championship in the United States, where they will compete against teams from different countries.

SUCCESS REMAINS CONSTANT EVEN IF TEAMS CHANGE

Prof. Dr. Berna Aydoğan, Vice Dean of IUE Faculty of Business and a faculty member of the Department of International Trade and Finance, expressed her happiness in reaching the finals of such a prestigious and industry-recognized competition, congratulating the students. Highlighting that they are experiencing the excitement of reaching the finals for the fourth time in the past five years, Prof. Dr. Aydoğan said, “Achieving success is difficult; making it continuous is even harder and much more valuable. We are fortunate to have established such an impressive track record as a department. We have made success sustainable. Each year, the students on our team change, and their working disciplines vary, but success remains constant. As a department, we take great pride in this. I believe we are preparing our students for the future in the best possible way and raising individuals who meet the industry's demands and needs. The achievements of our students are a strong indicator of this.”