Meet Sydney’s Overall Prize Winner for 2015
19 June 2015
MAFC would like to congratulate Dylan Rands, Sydney’s overall prize winner for 2015.
Dylan, who accepted the award at the prize winner ceremony at Sydney Museum on June 11 2015, reflected on why he choose to study the Master of Applied Finance (MAppFin) at MAFC and what he hopes to achieve in his career.
Dylan commented, “I really liked the idea of lecturers being industry practitioners and professionals – the material within each of the units felt much more tailored and relevant to our requirements as working professionals. Other courses tend to have a heavy focus on the theoretical as opposed to real world application which is a distinct advantage of the MAppFin.”
Dylan’s current job working as a Trader for Regal Funds Management, a Sydney based hedge fund manager with a focus on Australian and Asian equities, was another factor in his decision for choosing to study the MAppFin. “The fact that the MAppFin covers 70 per cent of CFA material is a huge additional benefit. Given that both qualifications (CFA and MAppFin) are well-regarded within the hedge fund / broader funds management industry, having a leg-up on getting both in a shorter period of time was an enormous advantage.”
Another advantage is the MAppFin providing a “much more practical, hands on and relevant curriculum than I feel would have been received in comparable Masters Courses. This has the distinct benefit of giving me and my fellow graduates knowledge and skills that are directly relevant and translatable to our professional roles on a day to day basis. For me, the amplified understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of modern financial theory was compounded by the study of its evolution and direct application to real world situations – this gave me the skills, technical proficiency and above all the confidence to take what I had learnt into my role and add value for my employer”.
When asked what he enjoyed most about studying at Macquarie and completing the MAppFin, Dylan added, “The challenge of learning and being pushed by some of the most experienced professionals within the finance industry; whilst also competing, collaborating and getting to know some of the brightest minds in this upcoming generation of finance professionals. Completing the MAppFin program is such an achievement and every single graduate should be extremely proud of their efforts – knowing I’m part of such an outstanding community is the icing on the cake.”
The prizes offered by MAFC award and acknowledge the hard work and achievements of students like Dylan, who over the next five years intends to continue to “learn, master and implement the tenants of successful fundamental value investing and increase the breadth of my knowledge and expertise within and across equity markets”.
When asked what advice he has for other students studying the MAppFin he shared:
When all is said and done your MAppFin will be exactly what you make of it – if you’re genuinely willing to learn, ready to work hard and open to being challenged; then the program and its teachers will make sure you gain the skills you need to succeed within the financial industry.
Learn more about the benefits of studying the MAppFin, and information on prizes and scholarships at MAFC – Our programs.
Read about all the prize winners from the Sydney ceremony.