The ICMA Centre celebrated the success of its students in style again this year. 140 students graduated at the ceremony held in the Great Hall at the University of Reading's London Road Campus. One outstanding student not only graduated with a distinction, but was awarded a special prize at the champagne reception held at the Centre prior to the graduation ceremony.

MSc. student Ben Koulibali, was presented with the inaugural ?Vetiva Prize Award? by Dr Olaolu Mudasiru, the Deputy Managing Director of Vetiva Capital Management, an investment banking boutique in Nigeria. The Prize, which is to be awarded by Vetiva annually, is bestowed on the highest achieving African MSc student at the ICMA Centre and includes not only an award of £500, but also the possibility of work opportunities at Vetiva and other investment banking firms in Africa.

Dr Mudasiru, who is himself a graduate of the ICMA Centre's MSc International Securities, Investment and Banking, approached Dr Bell, Director of Teaching and Learning early in the year with the request to confer a special prize. ?Vetiva's vision is of a future where the very best of African minds will provide the solutions to Africa's economic problems. We hope that Vetiva's undertaking to recognise and modestly award excellence will be a contributing factor to achieving this goal,? enthused Dr Mudasiru.

On presenting the award Dr Mudasiru said he was honoured to make the inaugural presentation of this prize and praised the ICMA Centre as ?one of the finest learning institutions designed to equip students with the real skills needed for a career in investment banking?.

Ben who graduated with a distinction is now considering further research study with the ICMA Centre. In receiving the prize he thanked the ICMA Centre for ?giving me the opportunity to learn more about Investment Banking. I would also like to thank Vetiva for pushing me to excel in my studies?.