Author: Sophie Belcher

Students at the University of Lincoln are running a live investment fund to put their newly acquired finance skills into practice.

The Lincoln International Business School’s Student Managed Investment Fund (LSMIF) mimics the structure of a real fund management company where students are delegated roles from stock analyst to marketing manager. There are also senior roles such as CEO, CFO and CIO which are annually elected by the funds team members.

The team of undergraduate and postgraduate students use money donated by sponsors as well as members of the public to invest in shares of companies listed on London Stock Exchange. All returns are reinvested into the fund.

The bottom line is to create a unique learning opportunity that applies learning to the real world.

While the day to day operation is entirely student run, it is overseen by experienced investor and economist Dr Hao Quach, a former Fulbright Scholar at Harvard University in the USA, who is a specialist in the analysis of capital markets. Students also benefit from the advice and guidance of external advisors from the finance sector.

James Stenson, a BSc Banking & Finance student and CEO of the Student Managed Investment Fund said: “We are gaining a lot of transferable skills that can be directly applied to employment and the long-term benefits will be invaluable when it comes to sharing our experience in interviews.”

Finley Kneafsey, a first year Banking and Finance student and current Chief Financial Officer of the fund said: “My role as CFO of the fund is allowing me to gain an insight into how an investment bank fully operates and will help to inform what sector of banking I am most interested in as I go forward. “My aspirations are to become a trader and the skills that I’m gaining, not only in my role as CFO but by participating in other aspects of the fund, means that I’m learning skills from other members of the team which will benefit me as I move towards my financial career.”

Dr Hao Quach, who oversees the fund said: “The fund offers students a strong foundation to build upon their financial skill set to enhance what they are learning as part of their University education and develop their understanding of the finance industry in a more dynamic and exciting way.

“The fund is one of only a handful of its kind in the UK and gives the next generation of financial professionals the unique opportunity to gain real-world experience that will equip them for their future careers in the financial sector.”

To find out more about the Student Managed Investment Fund as well as sponsorship and donation opportunities visit https://lsmif.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk/

An innovative primary school teacher who appeared as part of BAFTA nominated BBC2 documentary ‘No More Boys and Girls: Can Our Kids Go Gender Free’ will deliver a talk at the University of Lincoln on 19th February as part of the Eleanor Glanville Centre’s Be Inspired public lecture series.

Graham Andre has over 20 years’ experience in the education sector and has been a longtime supporter of gender neutrality in teaching. Graham and his class from the Isle of Wight took part in the BBC documentary last year which investigated whether a gender neutral classroom environment could break down societal gender stereotypes amongst the children, transform their views of themselves and transform their future ambitions.

Since taking part in the documentary, Graham has become a spokesperson for gender neutral teaching, speaking on national television and delivering talks on its impact around the UK. He now sits on the steering group of the Gender Equality Charter working with schools, businesses and families to challenge gender inequality.

Grahams talk will address questions such as how gender stereotypes impact on our children as well as looking at children’s experiences of gender from birth and what we can do to minimise negative impacts. Graham will also share practical tips and explore the importance of male role models in early years teaching as well as how we can recruit and retain.

The talk will take place at 6:00pm and is free to attend, but booking is required. To book your place visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/be-inspired-lecture-graham-andre-no-more-boys-and-girls-tickets-53810794535

Network Rail is investing in creating a new pedestrian footbridge over the level crossing at Brayford Wharf East. This will significantly decrease journey times and hugely improve access across campus in the future when the level crossing barriers are down. To enable Network Rail to do this work, the public footpath and driveway are currently closed and will remain so for a few more weeks.

Diversions are in place and a map of alternative routes around campus can be found here. It may feel like a long way round but please do bear in mind how much of a difference these improvements will make in the longer term for your journeys across the University and do make sure that you allow ample time for getting around campus.

While the work is taking place there may be increased noise levels on the eastern side of the campus. To minimise disruption to studies we recommend that students utilise the many quiet study spaces that are available. A map of these can be accessed here. It is anticipated that there may be increased demand for the bridges linking both sides of the University campus and an increased demand on lifts. Please ensure that the lifts are available for those who need them most. Anyone who requires support or assistance should contact a member of Security on site or by phone 01522 886062.

Thank you for your patience whilst this work is being undertaken.

The Sports Centre is currently offering the following sports coaching course for students looking to expand their sports leadership skills:

• Ultimate Frisbee Level 1X: https://ukultimate.azolve.com/workbench/public/events?ref=9FC876185A3AC15FED3095CDC7D00A0D8719E6FC
  
• Multi-skills Level 2: http://www.participant.co.uk/sportstructures/1st4sport_level_2_award_in_multi-skills_development_in_sport_-_university_of_lincoln_-_students_16022019
• Leadership in Running Fitness: https://www.ulearnathletics.com/qualification/qualificationCourse?qualificationId=166&qualificationCourseId=88149
• Weightlifting Level 1: www.britishweightlifting.org/find-a-course

Please follow the booking links to book your place.