Dubai Financial Market to launch annual online stock trading game on March 30

A total of 30 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 to develop their talent for investing.

Students can take part in the game, and trade stocks and shares through the DFM's website (www.dfm.ae) during official trading hours.

Every participant will have the opportunity to trade with a "virtual" sum of up to Dhs1m. Players can then track their investments through the website and newspapers.

Mubaraq Al Doosari, General Coordinator, DFM Stock Game, said: "We are happy to bring back for 2008 DFM's 'Online Stock Game.' This game has helped thousands of students in the UAE over the past six years learn about trading stocks and making investments in financial markets. The game is an invaluable educational tool that gives students the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the complexities of share trading, and to prepare them for a possible career in the world of business".

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 Dhs50,000.

Students in the first category will receive Dhs15,000; those in the second category will receive Dhs10,000; and those in the third category will receive a prize of Dhs5,000. Participants ranked between fourth and 13th place will receive Dhs1,000.

Female students will be eligible for additional awards. Those placed first in the category will receive Dhs3,000; those ranked second will receive Dhs2,000,;and those placed third will receive Dhs1,000.

The number of participants has been increasing steadily since the launch of the game, with 357 participants in 2003, rising to 1500 participants in 2007.

The number of participating educational institutions increased from 17 in 2003 to 52 in 2007.