Students of Quaid-e-Azam College of Accountancy and Commerce visited Lahore Stock Exchange (LSE) where they were given an insight about practical aspects of the financial institutions by industry professionals. The visit was part of the nation-wide "Campus Outreach Programme" launched by the LSE. The programme is part of the Financial Literacy Initiative for promotion of financial skills and knowledge of common citizens, and to encourage broader inclusion in the financial system.
As part of the programme, educational institutions are joining hand with LSE to participate in series of sessions on financial literacy. The purpose of visit was to allow the students to interact with various financial industry practitioners in a stock exchange setting and get a chance to visit different financial institutions all at one location.
The panel of professionals included Iftikhar from Central Depository Company (CDC) and Suleman Ali Mansoor, Regional Manager-Investment Advisory Services, JS Investment Ltd along with LSE officials. Iftikhar briefed the students on the need for setting up CDC and various facilities being offered by CDC not only to add efficiency but also for increased transparency and investors confidence. He explained as to how investors could use various CDC services for protecting their portfolios.
Suleman also addressed the students and informed them about local mutual funds industry and products being offered. He informed the students that mutual funds could be an effective approach for people to start investments offering risk diversification and good returns through professional fund management. Later, the students visited various banks and brokerage houses where they were given overviews on the functioning of these institutions such as trading, banking products& services, lending and borrowing services and local as well as international remittances, etc. As part of the Campus Outreach Programme, LSE has already held two sessions at Quaid-e-Azam College of Accountancy and Commerce.
In the first two sessions students were apprised about the savings, investment and investment alternatives, foreign exchange, stock analysis and valuation techniques, financial markets, market dynamics, banking services, leasing, insurance and various corporate matters as applicable in Pakistan. The "Campus Outreach Programme" has received an overwhelming commendation from various factions of the societies. The programme is launched under the broader Financial Literacy Initiative by the LSE in collaboration with South Asian Federation of Exchange (SAFE). Campus Outreach Programme - FLI is neither intended to promote or publicise any particular type of investment or product, nor is it aimed to endorse any specific kind of financial institution or market.