UTC takes investment game to schools

SIG is an online virtual investment game designed to give students across TT early exposure to the dynamic world of finance and investing.

The goal of the game is to educate the youth and teach them about the importance of investing at an early age. The real-time game allows students to build online portfolios that can be modified at any given time.

The simulation is formatted to provide students with insight into the financial arena and creates an opportunity for understanding risk and return, said a media release.

UTC staff and media personality Andrew Friday, in a collaborative effort, officially launched the 26th edition of SIG in what proved to be a novel way to invigorate and encourage student participation in the game.

At St Joseph’s Convent in Port-of-Spain and Woodbrook Secondary School, UTC’s SIG ambassador, engaged the students on the benefits of diversification; at San Fernando West Secondary and Presentation College, Chaguanas and other secondary schools, students discussed the merits of investing.

At all the schools, the UTC team was given a robust welcome and complimented by the teachers who will lead their charges.

“We are eager to play, the SIG is one of the few avenues the students have to challenge themselves and test their financial literacy,” said one teacher. Several teachers voiced support for the game, saying that it provided a training ground for future investors.

Moreover, the SIG programme provides students with the opportunity to learn about investing wisely and the value of diversification.

The game takes place over an eightweek period where students in teams of five or less, receive $100,000 virtual monies to invest in the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange, the NAS DAQ stock exchange and in five UTC instruments The game cycle runs from October 3 to November 25, with registration open to all schools.

With over $150,000 in prizes to be won, each participating school is allowed to submit a maximum of five teams per school consisting of three to five students per team.

UTC continues to see itself as Partners for Life and through corporate social responsibility initiatives such as the Schools’ Investment Games, it continues to have a meaningful and positive impact on our youth by providing the foundation of financial empowerment, the release said.

For more info on the SIG and prizes: www.ttutc.com/ schools-investment- game/.