Dubai Financial Market to launch online stock trading game

A total of 50 colleges and universities are participating in the "Online Stock Game", which is organised by DFM to educate students about the intricacies of the stock market and develop their talent for investing.

Students can take part in the game, and trade stocks and shares through the DFM's website during official trading hours. Every participant will have the opportunity to trade with a "virtual" sum of up to AED 1 million. Players can then track their investments through the website and newspapers.

Mubaraq Al Doosari, General Coordinator, DFM Stock Game, said: "We are delighted to announce the launch of the fifth cycle of DFM's student stock game. The game reflects DFM's vision to interact with students and educate them about proper investing and how to build a healthy national economy. The game is a unique interactive experience that helps students to develop their skills in investing."

DFM has begun on a series of training sessions aimed at educating students about how to participate in the game. Winners will be selected based on the profits they generate during the playing period, with total cash awards of up to AED50,000. Students in the first category will receive AED15,000; those in the second category will receive AED10,000; and those in the third category will receive a prize of AED5,000. Participants ranked between fourth and 13th place will receive AED1,000.

Female students will be eligible for additional awards. Those placed first in the category will receive AED3,000, those ranked second will receive AED2,000, and those placed third will receive AED1,000.

The number of participants has been increasing steadily since the launch of the game in 2003, with 357 participants in 2003, 700 participants in 2004, and 1,360 participants in 2005. The number of participating educational institutions has increased from 17 in 2003 to 38 in 2006.