On March 17, GALAS, composed of Wei Xuechen, Lei Yutian, Chen Jiazhe, Chen Annan and Wu Xiaoping, participated in the South China Division Competition of the CFA Institute Research Challenge and successfully defended the championship. Their opponents were 23 teams from famous universities in the South China Region including Peking University HSBC Business School, Sun Yat-Sen University, South China University of Technology, Xiamen University, Wuhan University, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, and Southern University of Science and Technology.  The contestants from Peking University HSBC Business School and Southern University of Science and Technology are graduate students.

 The GALAS team consists of 5 CUHK-Shenzhen students, including Wei Xuejun, a senior student from SME/Shaw College, Lei Yutian, a junior student from SME/Shaw College, Chen Jiazhe, a junior student from SME/Shaw College, Chen Annan, a junior student from SME/Diligentia College, and Wu Xiaoping, a junior student from SME/Shaw College. Led by Professors Ding Yi, Mao Lei, Liu Na and Chen Wen of SME, CUHK-Shenzhen, the GALAS team defended the CFA challenge championship with stable and outstanding performance and impressed the organizers and judges. The University was invited to participate in the competition for the first time in 2016 and SME students took the crown at the division final.

The CFA Institute Research Challenge is an English-language analysis and research competition for global financial institutions. Every year, the world's top universities are invited to participate in the competition.

Previous Awards
From 2016 to 2017, the Augustus team consisting of Zhao Yifu, Deng Jianzhong, Lin Fangwen, Chen Sizhuo, and Wan Wei, as well as the Switch On team consisting of Ying Yue, Wei Sili, Jin Tinghua, Lin Yangxi and Tang Huan, represented our university for the first time to join this challenge. After fierce competition, they won the championship and third prize respectively. The Augustus team also received a ticket to the Asian-Pacific Final and competed with other winners from Singapore and the Philippines in Bangkok, Thailand.

The competition has involved working for several months on our in-depth analysis of the assigned company, calling upon the solid financial knowledge and practical modelling skills that we developed during the undergraduate study. Our diverse academic backgrounds enabled us to look at things from different perspectives, and formed a comprehensive and all-round analysis.

——Wei Xuechen

When they asked me to dinner together, I said no, because I was preparing for the CFA challenge.

When they asked me to take a shower, I said no, because I was preparing for the CFA challenge.

When they asked me to play mobile games, I said no, because I was preparing for the CFA challenge.

Five majors, four rounds of competition, three countries, and two grades --- the challenge makes sense for the days and nights I spent and the hair I lost.

——Chen Annan

I really feel very lucky. From the preparation to the final, we have gained a lot unexpected help. Before the competition, professors, classmates, and seniors of the last championship team gave us very helpful guidance and suggestions. During the challenge, we also received encouragement from fellow students. I would like to thank you very much for voting for us! This championship belongs to all of us! 

——Wu Xiaoping

Fujian people are cute and useful.

——Lei Yutian

Championship is just a bonus. The competition itself is already a great reward.

——Chen Jiazhe