Depok, 24 February 2026 – Outstanding achievements have been made by students of Universitas Indonesia. A cross-faculty team from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) and the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) earned the title of Grand Finalist in the Sauder Capital Market Challenge (SCMC) 2025/2026, organized by the UBC Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Kanada, on 28–30 January 2026. This international capital market competition was participated in by more than 100 teams from various countries, demanding strong financial analysis skills, business strategy expertise, and global-level problem-solving capabilities.
In the grand final round, Aqila Muhammad Taqy, an Actuarial Science student from FMIPA UI, together with Muhammad Rizky Narindra, Nabil Sachio Refat, and Satya Damba Pramuditya from FEB UI—who competed as Team Forbes30Under30—demonstrated strong analytical and strategic capabilities in tackling the case study merger and acquisition, including company valuation, as well as role simulations as financial consultants and investment bankers.
Cross-Faculty, Cross-Disciplinary Expertise
Team Forbes30Under30 was formed מתוך a shared interest in the world of finance. Taqy explained,
“At first, we occasionally joined competitions together, discussing the market and macroeconomic policies. Over time, it became exciting—and we kept winning—so this year we decided to focus on international competitions.”
The team prepared with a rigorous strategy: clearly defined role distribution, cross-checking among team members, and consistently staying updated on global economic developments. Taqy and Rizky focused on the industry overview, while Nabil and Satya handled the financial analysis.
Success at the Sauder Capital Market Challenge was not the team’s first achievement. Previously, Team Forbes30Under30 had secured a series of prestigious national titles, including 1st place at the Vetra Stock Competition, 1st place at the I-VEST Equity Research Competition, 1st place at the Jogjakarta Finance Case Competition GMAD UGM 2025, and 1st place at the Stock Paper Competition The 10th Management Euphoria. These accomplishments highlight the team’s consistency and their ability to compete at a global level.
Challenges That Tested the Team’s Resilience
Preparing for the final round in Kanada required both physical and mental endurance. The team adjusted their sleep schedule to cope with jet lag. “Two nights before the final, we woke up at 2:00 a.m. for mock tests and warming up, so that on the actual day we were already accustomed to working during competition hours,” said Taqy.
In addition, the biggest challenge arose when the case study presented differed from their predictions. The unusual niche market acquisition case forced the team to engage in rapid brainstorming, formulate new strategies, and adjust their financial analysis within a limited timeframe. Taqy added, “This situation truly tested our ability to think critically, remain calm under pressure, and collaborate at our best.”
Grand Final Experience
The presentation before judges from global institutions such as J.P. Morgan and CIBC turned out to be more relaxed than expected. Taqy shared, “The atmosphere felt more like a discussion rather than a tense competition like in Indonesia. We were able to enjoy the process while demonstrating our mastery of the material.”
Inspiration for Indonesian Students
This achievement has opened up international networking opportunities and provided early exposure to careers in the financial industry. Nabil, the team leader, emphasized the importance of starting from national competitions, building friendships with like-minded peers, and consistently committing to the competition process.
The Dean of FMIPA UI, Prof. Dr. Tito Latif Indra, M.Si., expressed his appreciation for the achievements of Team Forbes30Under30. According to him, this accomplishment is not only a source of pride for FMIPA UI and Universitas Indonesia, but also an indicator of the growing competitiveness of Indonesia’s young talents within the global financial ecosystem.
“We are very proud of this achievement. The team’s success not only brings pride to FMIPA UI and Universitas Indonesia, but also demonstrates that Indonesia’s young talents are becoming increasingly competitive within the global financial ecosystem.”
He added, “We hope this achievement will inspire all students to boldly develop their potential and compete at the international level.”
