Students from the University of Birmingham Dubai have been crowned champions of the 2025 ADNOC-Bloomberg Trading Challenge, emerging victorious in the fifth edition of the UAE’s premier commodities trading competition.
Sittie Rania Guinomla and Malishka Kaur Bhasin, competing under the team name ‘Fortune Traders’, secured first place for their disciplined “hold and watch” strategy—impressing judges with their thoughtful approach to commodities trading and real-time data analysis.
As part of their prize, the winning team is eligible for training placements with ADNOC Global Trading, offering them an immersive opportunity to apply their skills in a real-world energy trading environment.
The challenge is a key initiative under the ADNOC-Bloomberg for Education partnership, launched in 2019 in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Education. The programme aims to develop financial and analytical capabilities among Emirati students through access to Bloomberg Terminals and expert mentorship.
Over 450 students from nine universities across the UAE participated in the 2025 edition. After weeks of simulations and research, five teams were shortlisted to present their strategies to a panel of financial industry professionals.
Saif Al Falahi, ADNOC’s Director of Group Business Support & Special Tasks, praised the participants:
“We warmly congratulate the winners of this year’s ADNOC-Bloomberg Trading Challenge. The initiative continues to provide vital experience for future UAE trading leaders, helping build a robust talent pipeline for the country’s growing energy sector.”
David Massias, Bloomberg’s Head of Market Specialists for the Middle East & Africa, added:
“These students consistently demonstrate a high level of collaboration, data literacy, and critical thinking. The talent in the UAE continues to impress, particularly as the nation pushes forward on its innovation and digital transformation goals.”
Since its inception, the ADNOC-Bloomberg for Education Initiative has supported over 9,000 students and installed 100 Bloomberg Terminals across five leading universities, including Khalifa University, NYU Abu Dhabi, and Abu Dhabi University.
With a growing reputation as a launchpad for future traders and analysts, the challenge reflects the UAE’s long-term investment in knowledge-based industries and financial innovation.
