SEC/CSE Varsity Battles 2023, the Inter-University Quiz Competition, ended on a grand scale

December, 12, 2023

  •  The Faculty of Commerce and Management from University of Kelaniya (Kelaniya Mavericks) won the overall competition.
  • The Winning team was awarded a cash prize of Rs. 300,000/-
  • 39 teams from 13 state universities participated
  •  The Faculty of Engineering from University of Moratuwa (Mora Sharks) and the Faculty of Medicine from University of Peradeniya (Pera Prodigies) secured second and third places, respectively

The Varsity Battles 2023, the inaugural inter-university capital market quiz competition, organized by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) and Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), was held last week at the Grand Kandyan Hotel, Kandy, with the participation of 39 teams from 13 state universities. The team from the Faculty of Commerce and Management from University of Kelaniya (Kelaniya Mavericks) emerged as the winner of the overall competition with a cash prize of Rs. 300,000/-.

Mr. Faizal Salieh, Chairman SEC, Mr. Dilshan Wirasekara, Chairman CSE, Mr. Chinthaka Mendis, Director General SEC, Mr. Renuke Wijayawardhane, Chief Regulatory Officer, CSE, Mr. Tushara Jayaratne, Deputy Director General, SEC and Mr. Niroshan Wijesundere, Senior Vice President

Marketing, CSE along with other officials from the SEC and CSE were present at the Varsity Battles 2023.

The Faculty of Engineering from the University of Moratuwa (Mora Sharks) was placed first runner-up and received a cash prize of Rs. 200,000/- while the Faculty of Medicine from the University of Peradeniya (Pera Prodigies) was placed second runner-up with a Rs. 100,000/- cash award.

The objective of Varsity Battles 2023 is to create awareness and educate university students on capital markets and to enhance financial literacy among university students. The first stage of the quiz (inter-faculty quiz) was launched in May 2023. The inter-faculty quiz competition was conducted at 13 state universities, and the top three teams with the highest scores in this stage were promoted to the final stage.

Participants in the quiz competition were tested on their knowledge in Global Markets, General Knowledge, Sri Lankan Economy and Businesses, Current Affairs, Sports, Entertainment and other areas in relation to the management of financial securities.

Commenting on the initiative, CSE Chairman, Mr. Dilshan Wirasekara, said that “The Quiz Competition is another initiative taken by the CSE in collaboration with the SEC to create awareness on the importance of financial, investor, and capital market education. Thus, this initiative highlights the importance of financial literacy for every undergraduate in Sri Lanka.”

“SEC and CSE initiated Varsity Battles with the intention of convincing the public that financial education could be quite an exciting and fun-filled engagement. This interest in the universities to participate and view this quiz as a fun and engaging learning experience has been vital to the success of this event.”

Speaking at the competition, SEC Chairman, Mr. Faizal Salieh, stated “Understanding basic financial skills and concepts is not merely an individual responsibility but a cornerstone for a successful financial future. In 2009, the SEC conducted the inaugural Inter-University Quiz Competition, which set the stage for Varsity Battles 2023, the first-ever University Quiz organized by the SEC in collaboration with the CSE. A financially literate generation, nurtured through initiatives like this, will undoubtedly contribute to a more prosperous and resilient society.”

Mr. Salieh added that “This program aims to create opportunities for undergraduate students to enhance their understanding of the capital market, potentially motivating them to explore stock market investment and pursue careers in the capital market sector.”

The quiz was followed by a fellowship for all the participants.

The inaugural edition of Varsity Battles 2023 was supported by First Capital Holdings PLC and Bartleet Religare Securities (Pvt) Ltd. as Platinum Sponsors

The Gold sponsors for the event were AICPA & CIMA Sri Lanka, Capital Trust Holdings Ltd., London Stock Exchange Group Sri Lanka, CT CLSA Securities (Pvt) Ltd., and Senfin Securities Limited.

Lanka Securities (PVT) Ltd, LOLC Holdings PLC, Asha Securities Ltd, Softlogic Stockbrokers (PVT) Ltd, Almas Equities (PVT) Ltd, and Senfin Asset Management (PVT) Ltd have come onboard as the Silver sponsors.

The co-sponsors of the event were Vidullanka PLC, Acap Stock Brokers (PVT) Ltd, Millennium IT ESP (PVT) Ltd, CryptoGen (PVT) Ltd, Data Management Systems (PVT) Ltd, Sunshine Holdings PLC, Barista Coffee Lanka (PVT) Ltd, Cargills (Ceylon) PLC, Lanka IOC PLC, N-able (PVT) Ltd, E Futures (PVT) Ltd, Hemas Holdings PLC, and Tokyo Cement Company (Lanka) PLC.

Further, Sri Lankan Airlines has joined Varsity Battles 2023 as the Official Airlines Partner

 

Image Caption : University of Kelaniya Winning Team – Varsity Battles 2023 (inter-University quiz competition)