A team of Griffith Business School students has triumphed once again, winning the Queensland final of the CFA Institute Research Challenge for the second consecutive year.
The CFA Institute Research Challenge is an annual global competition that gives university students hands-on experience in financial analysis and professional ethics. Participants are tested on their analytical, valuation, report writing, and presentation skills, stepping into the role of an equity analyst to gain real-world insights.
The winning team – Khoulud Alhoush, Yadan Noerdin, Aditya Singh, Jose Felipe Garcia Pulido, and Reglis Hajdinaj – demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork in preparing an investment report and presenting their recommendations to a panel of professional judges. This year, the students were assigned Brisbane HQ data centre company NEXTDC (NXT.AX) as the focus of their analysis.
The Griffith team was guided by faculty advisor Dr Akihiro Omura and industry mentor Margot Jones, who provided strategic guidance throughout the intensive preparation process.
Dr Omura said “The Griffith team was brave to issue a sell recommendation when all the professional equity analysts were giving buy recommendations, and the other participating universities had issued buy or hold recommendations. The judges were impressed by the depth of the team’s research.”
“Achieving back-to-back victories in the state final reflects the high calibre and competence of our finance students,”
Dr Akihiro Omura
Team members praised the experience as a steep learning curve that pushed them to grow both academically and personally.
Team leader Khoulud Alhoush
“This journey pushed me to grow not just as a student but in how I think, collaborate, and perform under pressure. More than anything, I hope my success inspires more women to step confidently into finance and see what is possible when you push beyond your comfort zone.”
Aditya Singh added:
“For me, it was a very sharp learning curve, being a second-year student with only the corporate finance unit under my belt at the start. From learning basic profitability formulas to defending a 35% downside on stage, we showed grit and determination.”
Yadan Noerdin said:
“This has been a great learning experience. I especially enjoyed defending our sell thesis on stage against six CFA charter holders and industry professionals. It boosted my confidence enormously, knowing I faced them in that situation and came out with a win alongside my team.”
Reglis Hajdinaj reflected:
“The CFA Research Challenge was the steepest learning curve I’ve had – weeks of building and rebuilding models, defending assumptions, and learning to tell a clear story under time pressure. Walking off with the win felt less like a single moment and more like the payoff from dozens of late-night edits.”
Jose Felipe Garcia Pulido said:
“Participating in the CFA Research Challenge gave me practical experience in valuation and equity analysis while enhancing my teamwork and communication skills to achieve the best results.”
With this victory, the Griffith team will go on to represent the CFA Brisbane Chapter in the Sub-Regional competition, competing against the winners from Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, and New Zealand.
Griffith Business School’s consistent success in the CFA Institute Research Challenge highlights the strength of its finance program and the dedication of its students and mentors, ensuring participants leave with practical, industry-ready skills and confidence to excel in the financial world.
