Thursday, September 17th marked a very important day for the 2015-2016 academic year. Telfer launched its newly expanded Financial Research and Learning Lab as well as its new student-managed fund entitled the Telfer Capital Fund. Faculty, alumni, industry partners and students, totalling over 70, gathered in the new space in order to kick-off both initiatives. The new lab is triple the size of the original and is a fully enabled teaching and learning facility with all the top financial research tools and databases, including Bloomberg, as well as new technologically advanced interactive learning tools. The lab has been integrated into many Telfer classes which will use its resources for assignments, and bridging the gap from theory to practice. These classes include Equity Valuation, Portfolio Management, Marketing Management and Finance, Ethics and Social Responsibility. The manager of the space, Pouya Safi, acted as the event’s emcee and introduced Francois Julien (Dean of Telfer), Leslie Weir (University Librarian), and Tyson Rigg (TCF Portfolio Manager Leader) to say a word about the lab and its impact for the University, Telfer and the students. The lab expansion was as a result of the very successful collaboration between the Library and the Telfer School of Management. Marc Albert and Pouya Safi planned and oversaw the project but everything was collaborated with Faculty, uOttawa Library, the Career Centre, AV, IT, Physical Resources, Facilities, Protection and the school’s Project Manager, Sylvio Miron. Everyone played an integral goal in making sure the project was completed in time for the school year. The goal of the space has always been to bridge the gap between theory and practice and provide the students with an avenue to excel.
The Telfer Capital Fund (TCF), which also launched, will manage a real value based investment portfolio and will also call the lab their home for their weekly stock pitches, sector updates, and portfolio and company analysis. The fund will start with an initial seed capital of $50,000 to $100,000 and will aim to grow to $500,000 in principal within the next 5 to 10 years, so that each incoming year of students can continue to invest with new capital. The TCF will allow students to gain real hands-on experience in order to help them land internships and eventual employment with major firms in the capital markets. Students will be part of the program for 3 years and start as Analysts and work their way to Portfolio Managers all while completing their CSC and first level of the CFA. Tyson Rigg, one of the Portfolio Manager Leaders for this years’ cohort said “This program and lab have given me opportunities to grow and develop my skills in finance that I would have not otherwise known or been privy to had it not been here. I’ve used this lab to its fullest, and spent much of the last two years learning through my peers and courses. Now I’m really seeing the results through better internships and job opportunities.” The TCF has been something that has buzzed around students’ ears for many years. With the help of the International Dean’s Advisory Board and Pension and Treasuries group of uOttawa, Pouya Safi was able to develop the details of the fund and the governing Terms of Reference and Investment Policy and help ensure that it finally launched alongside the new lab. Alumni Jean Desgagné, President and CEO of Global Enterprises Services at TMX, was also present for the launch and made a generous donation to the fund.
