The Erasmus Intensive Programme ‘Investment Funds in Europe’ was recently hosted in Luxembourg.

Students hailing from Malta Cyprus, Latvia, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg met to discuss the role of Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (Ucits) and non-Ucits funds in different countries.

Participants were able to learn more about the financial regulatory authorities and investment fund markets, as well as about different cultures and education systems.

All students were required to write a paper on a given topic and deliver a presentation. Lectures were delivered by various professionals in the financial services industry.

The students also visited BGL BNP Paribas, where they were able to gain insight into the bank’s basic operations, especially the market decisions executed through the bank’s trading floor.

A portfolio management game was also organised whereby students were divided into international teams and were required to manage a diversified portfolio through a simulation programme given different economic scenarios.

The main decisions involved allocation of assets between conservative and dynamic portfolios and choosing an appropriate cost and fee structure for the company.

There was also the requirement to develop the company within a stipulated time by managing its operations and ensuring client and employee satisfaction.