On Friday, October 16, 2015 in concert-hall “Oasis” the new season of the local competition of 2015-2016 CFA Institute Research Challenge was officially kicked-off.

This year more than 150 students in 26 teams from 21 leading Universities from Ukraine will compete for the chance to represent Ukraine during the EMEA Regional Final in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Among participants teams from:

• Chernihiv National University of Technology
• Donetsk National University
• Ivan Franko National University of Lviv
• Kyiv National Economics University named after Vadym Hetman
• Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics
• Kyiv School of Economics
• Kyiv-Mohyla Academy
• Lviv Polytechnic National University
• National Aviation University
• National University "Ostroh Academy"
• National University of Life and Enviromental Sciences
• National University of State Tax Service of Ukraine
• Odessa National University named after I.I. Mechnikova
• Petro Mohyla Black Sea State University
• Poltava National Technical Yuri Kondratyuk University
• Simon Kuznets Kharkiv National University of Economics
• Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
• Ternopil National Economic University
• Ukrainian Academy of Banking
• V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University
• Zaporozhye National Technical University

The Kick-Off Meeting was officially opened by inspiring speech from honorable mentor and grader of the Research Challenges in Ukraine – Oleksii Sobolev, CFA, Board Member of CFA Society Ukraine. Oleksii motivated students to work hard during the competition and wished the best of luck for all participants.

Within Kick-Off Meeting was hosted 2015 Student Career Event where employers had a chance to present theirselves to graduate students. Participants of this year Research Challenge realize this opportunity to have a short talk with HR’s and ask important questions on their future employment. Student Career Event was opened by experienced recruiter – Elena Matviychuk, Board Member of CFA Society Ukraine. Elena told students on their career opportunity Elena all questions about hiring and recruitment process.

After the lunch Kick-Off Meeting was continued by training from Information Sponsor – Thomson Reuters where student had a session with client trainer – Olga Ozerova. Afterwards, Valentyn Ilchuk, Country Manager and Christina Geiko, Sales Manager granted all teams with free access to Thomson Reuters terminal for one month.

The Official Opening continued by Subject Company Presentation. This year the role of Subject Company plays Bayer Group. Aliona Galkina, Head of Legal, Member of Country Council of Bayer Ltd presented the company followed by hour-long Q&A session from students. The company presentation started with short quiz where students had an opportunity to win a memorable prizes from Bayer for answering questions about company key dates, essential business activities etc.

The Kick-Off Meeting continued by success story from previous participant of the Research Challenge, the winner of the EMEA Regional Final in 2014 – Bohdan Baras, Yevhen Zayarnyi, Zakhar Deriuga, who tell students on how useful were knowledge gained in the competition for the future career. Special attention was paid to their personal experience in the Research Challenge last year.

This year 26 experienced investment professional kindly agreed to play role of the mentors and fill give practical advices to participants during the competition. At the Kick-Off Meeting, teams had an opportunity to meet their mentors and discuss future cooperation.

CFA Society Ukraine is grateful for supporters of the 2015-2016 CFA Isntitute Research Challenge!