Academic Centre
The Erasmus Intensive Program is 10 days long study program organized by faculty and students from University of Cyprus, University of Latvia, University of Liechtenstein, University of Luxembourg and University of Malta. This year’s program was organized and hosted by the University of Cyprus. The aim of this intensive program is to introduce financial markets of different European countries as well as to raise interest and knowledge about EU Directives regulating investment funds through workshops and interactive learning process, thus enabling students and professors to work together in multinational groups and exchange views on the subject in order to achieve a multi-cultural perspective.
Prior to arrival in Nicosia we were assigned to work papers on highly topical and relevant areas currently under discussion within the European Fund Industry, including the new UCITS IV directive and the soon to be implemented AIFM Directive. During the program we have presented the papers as well as well as had fruitful discussions. The program also offered a wide range of guest input lectures including, e.g., Cyprus Securities Exchange General Manager Nandas Metaxas, Bank of Cyprus head of private wealth management department Stella Mourouzidou, Director of wealth and investment unit of Barclays Cyprus Evan Gavas and many more professionals who shared their knowledge about financial markets and investments funds in Europe and especially in Cyprus.
Another important element of the Program was the unique opportunity to act as portfolio managers making investment and managerial decisions in a Portfolio Management Simulation Game. The software replicated a capital market environment and offered an opportunity to undertake the typical set of responsibilities of a fund manager, such as development of an investment strategy, evaluation of economic data, decision making etc. The portfolio management game allowed us to apply our financial knowledge as well as to improve team-building and foreign language skills working in international teams. Latvian students have received several awards, incl. the Best paper award (on „Risk-based supervision of UCITS”) as well as the Best presentation award.
Besides the official program students had a chance to enjoy variety of educational, cultural and social events like guided tour through historical part of Nicosia involving Archeological Museum and reception by the Nicosia Mucinipality, visit of Kurion Archeological Site in Limassol and Aphrodite’s birth place in Paphos, turning this educational program into a valuable, unique and unforgettable experience. The Erasmus program provided an exciting opportunity to study in the multi-cultural environment, to communicate with students from other countries, as well as to broaden the horizon and make new friendships.
