Faculty of Management Student Makes it to Fincontest Final

The Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation has conducted an All-Russian student contest on the financial markets called Fincontest. Olga Golyakova, a student in the HSE Faculty of Management in Nizhny Novgorod (programme in Management, Global Business track), made it to the finals in the contest.

Fincontest is the first student competition on financial markets in Russia. The event is held annually by students of the Financial University with the support of the university’s department of financial markets and financial engineering.

The contest was held in several stages. In the first stage, four cases had to be solved. Only a few days were given to complete the mission. Based on the results of the stage, the first 100 participants were invited to the semi-finals, which took place in Moscow on March 19, 2015. Here participants had two hours to answer questions in a test on global financial markets, as well as to solve some problems. The best achievers in the theory stage were invited to the finals, which took place on March 20.

The finals were held at the Moscow Stock Exchange as a ‘trading session’.

Olga Golyakova: ‘It was the most impressive stage of the contest! Each participant played the role of a broker on the stock exchange. In the beginning, we were given some ‘money’ and shares in a few companies. The game consisted of 10 sessions, where we could make deals with other brokers and dealers (market makers). On some of the stages, we could buy bonds, futures, and options. Before each session, we were informed about the market news and probabilities of price changes.

The stock game passed in one breath! Drive, emotions, figures, news, shouts, profits, losses! We had to act promptly but at the same time reasonably. It was thrilling!

In the end, we were given certificates as finalists, and the winners received prizes and souvenirs from the partners. The contest ended with a talk by Anton Govor, head of the Moscow Stock Exchange Strategic Department, who told the students about the exchange and answered their questions.

This experience was invaluable! We could test our strength, acquire new skills, and meet financial market experts! I highly recommend that everyone who wants to know more about finance to take part in such events!’

This is not Olga’s first victory this year. Just recently, the student received the Potanin scholarship! Congratulations to the winner and best wishes for further victories!