NTU’s Investment Interactive Club (IIC) has launched Singapore’s first student-managed charity investment fund.

The Student-Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) aims to equip students with knowledge of the investment market.

“Today we see an increasing number of young students jumping onto the investment bandwagon with little or insufficient knowledge (in investment),” said Jason Low, 22, president of the fund, in his speech addressing why initiatives like SMIF are necessary.

Student fund managers will work together to manage a virtual portfolio of $1m.

At the end of the year, 10% of the virtual profit, with a cap at $10,000, will be converted into real cash and donated to the Straits Times Pocket Money Fund. 

The finals of The Next Fund Manager, a presentation-based competition, were held together with the Fund’s launch. Five teams of three competed in the finals.

The winning trio received $1,000 and an appointment to the Fund as student fund managers. The first and second runner-ups were awarded $800 and $500 respectively.

Cedric Mui, a second–year business student, is a member of the winning team.

“I came here as an underdog, I knew nothing. But you must always have the attitude to perform better than anyone out there,” he said. 

His teammates, Rodney Ho and Yeo Wei Jie, also second-year business students, said that being a student fund manager enables them to pursue their interest and contribute to the less fortunate as well. 

This sentiment is shared by Low, who said: “Personal success may be important, but it is equally essential to contribute back to the society.”