Aftab Ahmed Hungary’s Citi Country Officer Launches the 2013/2014 Corvinus University–Citi Education Program

Four students recognized for demonstrating outstanding performance in the previous year’s program

December 19, 2013

Citi Country Officer Aftab Ahmed launched the Corvinus University-Citi Education Program on October 24 at the Corvinus Campus. He held an interactive session with the students and together with Dr Attila Fiath, professor of the Corvinus University they presented the Citi Case Study Competition Awards to three students and the Citi Best Graduating Student Award.

Aftab Ahmed, Citi Country Officer for Hungary said to the students at the launch event, “The foundation of success is execution and strong execution requires focus, a well thought-through plan, accountability, ongoing assessment and teamwork. When you become a leader you are expected to act as an owner, drive client value and deliver results. You should always work as a partner, lead change and build great teams. It is important to find something that you can be passionate about in your professional lives and at the same time work hard and be disciplined. This will help you achieve your goals and be successful.”

Aftab Ahmed, Hungary CCO, holding an interactive session with university students

160 students of the Enterprise Finances Department of Corvinus University will be participating in the 2013/2014 Corvinus University–Citi Education Program, while a total of 1,480 students have been impacted in this program since its launch in 2004. In the program funded by the Citi Foundation, Citi Hungary helps enhance the level of education and improve the students’ future employment and career prospects through developing their employability and livelihood skills.

This is done through a series of lectures held by Citi Hungary volunteer experts in various financial and banking topics. The program also features a Case Study Competition and a Best Graduating Student Award program.

The 2012/2013 Citi Best Graduating Student Award presented at the launch event went to Adam Nagy who was selected to win this accolade based on displaying outstanding proactive attitude throughout his studies in addition to achieving an exceptional final grade.

Adam Nagy said, “I am very honored to receive this year’s Citi Best Graduating Student Award. I will use the funds received with the award to sponsor my further education in various disciplines of economics and finance. My long term plans also include holding lectures for university students, similarly to the Citi professionals.”

First prize award in the 2013 Citi Case Study Competition went to Edina Horváth for her thesis entitled “What is the key to the success of a venture capital market? – Analysis of the US venture capital market”. Winner of the second prize in the competition was Nóra Nemes with her work entitled “Tailored standardization – Banking services provided for microenterprises in Hungary”, while the third prize winner was Balázs Dávid Turi with his study about the cost of capital calculation methods. The top students were selected by a panel of department professors for highlighting a relevant financial issue that reflects challenges and opportunities in a real business setting, through using deep and comprehensive analysis.

Edina Horváth, who developed the best case study, said about her experiences, “Participation in the Citi Case Study Competition provided me with a great opportunity to get more insight in enterprise finances. I did some research for my case study that helped me improve my analytical skills. I continued the research in this field and used my findings also for my dissertation. I will use the funds to sponsor my further master studies in the field of finances.”

Attila Fiath, professor at the Enterprise Finances Department, program manager at the university also remarked, “I am pleased that we have the opportunity to continue this cooperation with Citi building on the previous years’ successes. As a professor I believe that the Citi lectures as well as the Case Study Competition Awards and the Best Graduating Student Award motivate students to invest extra time to enhance their professional, analytical and practical knowledge and skills beyond the curriculum.”