ISSUE FOUR • June 2018
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN THEORY AND THE REAL WORLD OF TRADING • 58
/ Student Experience
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN THEORY AND THE REAL WORLD OF TRADING Chris Jenkins, Managing Director of Market Squared (an educational subsidiary of OSTC), visited the BSc Finance and BA Accounting and Finance programmes at the beginning of the year. Chris spoke to the students about Volcube, Market Squared’s options simulation and training technology, which students on two different modules have been using. Chris became the Head of Operations for OSTC Iberia in 2013, having had a previous role focused on teaching, training and mentoring traders into profitability who were under his remit.
Chris said: “The ultimate aim of the platform Volcube is to bridge the gap between what students learn in the classroom and how this theory is applied in the real world of trading. We are not trying to replace education but rather complement the in-depth knowledge that the students gain in their studies at Durham and allow them to gain experience in applying that knowledge.” Charles Lord, second year student of Accounting and Finance at Durham University Business School, said: “I thoroughly enjoy the interactive trading sessions. Our finance course at Durham University Business School is always engaging and the sessions truly bridge the gap between classroom theory and real life. The sessions solidify and expand upon my prior knowledge of derivative trading, specifically options and futures, in a way that is simplified to ensure that a lot of information is delivered in a relatively short time frame.”
During the term, the students were also invited to take part in a trading competition. This involved the students being given two weeks to take part in five simulations. Top performers were then automatically given first round interviews at one of Market Squared’s trading floors. Chris said: “Three students did exceptionally well using Volcube. I must say I was impressed when I interviewed them as they came across very well. They had clearly enjoyed their time using the platform, bringing to life the theory from their classes. All of the interviews had positive outcomes and we look forward to seeing how this progresses once they graduate.”
Dr Ian Whitfield, Deputy Head of Faculty and Associate Professor in the Business School, said: “Volcube is an exciting and innovative trading platform which provides students with realistic exposure to trading and hedging of options. Our students performed exceptionally well in the trading simulation in the last academic year.”
LINK To find out more about Volcube, visit the Market Squared website here: www.marketsquared.co.uk
