IFSA Network

The IFSA Network operates under a decentralized yet cohesive organizational structure[4] designed to balance local autonomy with global coordination. Situated in educational institutions across the world, the individual chapters serve as semi-independent units,[5] each governed by their own board comprising at least a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, and General Secretary.[6] These boards manage day-to-day operations and supervise regional activities[7] tailored to meet the specific needs and interests of their local student bodies. Chapters also usually have specialized departments, such as Finance, Marketing, and Events, each headed by a department manager who oversees a team of analysts.

Despite their autonomy, these chapters are aligned with the overarching goals and mission of the IFSA Network.[8] They engage in designing and executing a diverse array of events, workshops, and projects that provide their members with exceptional opportunities in the finance field. The Chairmen of these chapters often connect to establish international strategies and to maintain an overview of national operations. This network aims to build a comprehensive, interconnected web that enables finance students worldwide to interact, communicate, and benefit from collective resources and opportunities. In this way, the IFSA Network creates synergy between its chapters to maximize the value it offers to its members.

To ensure that all chapters work in harmony and to maximize the overall impact, a supervisory board oversees the network. This board does not interfere in the day-to-day activities of individual chapters but provides strategic direction, facilitates resource sharing, and coordinates efforts on larger projects or international competitions. Through this structure, the IFSA Network manages to both honour the independence of its chapters and synchronize activities for the achievement of collective goals.

The IFSA Trader’s Cup is the world’s largest student run trading challenge.[9] All people studying in a recognised university are free to participate. The competition relies on securities trading, and aims to give students an opportunity to distinguish themselves from the competition. The competition is held once per academic year, starting in spring of 2016. For the second edition of the competition, students from more than 35 universities, located in 28 countries on 6 continents competed.

The Global Case Competition at Harvard[10] is the world’s most prestigious case competition organized by students.[11] During the first edition, a team from HEC Paris,[12] a leading French university, won the challenge.[13] The second edition was won by the London Business School.[14]

IFSA Talks are a signature initiative of the IFSA Network designed to foster knowledge sharing, industry insight, and community engagement. These talks feature industry leaders, academics, and financial experts who share their wisdom and experience on various topics related to finance, economics, management, and engineering. While some of these talks are open to the general public, allowing a broader audience to benefit from the insights offered, others are exclusively reserved for members of the IFSA Network. These members-only events are organized by individual chapters but are made accessible to the entire network, encouraging a unified community and facilitating the exchange of ideas across geographical boundaries. The aim is to provide an enriching experience that supports the professional and academic development of all IFSA members.

The various IFSA Network chapters try to offer their communities various local events to connect with the professional world.[15] Often, an industry professional will come to the IFSA Network events and meet students. The purpose of those venues is to give students a taste of the professional world, share tips and knowledge, and give an opportunity to network.

In 2018, the IFSA Network in cooperation with the Boston Consulting Group and InvestSoc, organised the first, three-week long International Cape Town Case Competition. The competition has a unique format where teams consisting of 2 to 4 participants, propose solutions for crises that are presented to them. In their solutions, participants are able to showcase their knowledge, creativity and problem-solving skills on a current macroeconomic issue. A jury picks the 15 best international teams and the best local teams, from Cape Town. The selected teams arrive in Cape Town, South Africa, to participate in the second round, and present in front of a select panel. The winning team is awarded a cash prize of 5000 South African Rand.

University of Cape Town

Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi

Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, Delhi

Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani

St Stephen's College, Delhi

Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode

Hansraj College, Delhi

Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt

Goethe University

Ludwig Maximilian University

Technical University

Vilnius University

New Economic School[17]

Rotterdam School of Management

University of Geneva[18]

University of Sankt-Gallen

Universidad del CEMA Universidad de San Andrés

Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Pontificia Universidad Javeriana

Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano

Universidad EAFIT

Harvard University

Columbia University