Making a difference with the Student Managed Fund

12 May 2023

The ANU College of Business and Economics Student Managed Fund (SMF) is a unique course with two objectives: provide a hands-on experience in the investment industry, and allow SMF students to make a positive impact through philanthropy.

SMF was established with a generous donation from Russell Clark, an alumnus of The Australian National University (ANU) who completed his Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Asian Studies in 2000. Others have made additional donations, including the fund convener Associate Professor Geoff Warren and the family of Andre Morony (MEc '74), an ANU alumnus and member of the SMF's Investment Advisory Committee.

Junior students enrolled in the course are mentored by senior members of the class in making socially responsible investment recommendations, and performing the day-to-day functions of a professionally managed fund, just as they would in the real world after graduation.

The returns of the fund are directed to a scholarship of $10,000 per annum over four years. The scholarship supports economically or socially disadvantaged students at the Research School of Finance, Actuarial Studies and Statistics. Thanks to this scholarship, students like Maliha Hoque are able to study at ANU.

This scholarship means a lot to me, not only because it offsets the cost of moving interstate to study, but also because it's the result of hard work and the business acumen of my fellow students.

- MALIHA HOQUE

By supporting SMF, donors are helping to ensure that this unique course continues to provide students with a hands-on experience in the investment industry, and an opportunity to understand the impact they can make through philanthropy.