Dubai has launched its third annual research challenge.

Over the next few months twenty students will compete in five teams from five of the UAE’s leading universities, including the American University of Dubai, University of Wollongong in Dubai, Middlesex University Dubai, Zayed University and Institute of Management Technology Dubai. Each team will compete to become national champion at the final to be hosted in February 2012. The winner will then go forward to represent the United Arab Emirates at the regional EMEA (Europe Middle East Africa) final in London in March 2012. The regional winner will then go forward to the global final in New York in April 2012, according to CFA Emirates. The CFA Institute Research Challenge is an educational initiative in which leading industry professionals or a CFA charter holder guide business and finance students in researching and reporting on a publicly traded company. It consists of analysing a public company, mentoring by a professional research analyst, writing a research report and presenting its results and recommendations to a high profile panel of experts. Marks are awarded to each team on the basis of their investment case, their delivery and their ability to answer and respond to detailed analysis from the judges. In addition, all participants will be introduced to and held to the standard of the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct. Yacoub Nuseibeh, President of CFA Emirates, said: “This is a national challenge that brings together top universities, their students and investment professionals in an exciting and competitive forum. Those taking part will get a practical insight to the work of a financial analyst to the very best international standards, incorporating the core principles of ethics and good corporate governance.” He added: “It is our great pleasure to have five top universities in the UAE eager to participate again this year in this competition. I wish them all the best of luck and we look forward to have all universities in the UAE participating in the coming years.”