Securities and Exchange Commission launches Investor Quest Game

TYRELL GITTENS

The Securities and Exchange Commission (TTSEC) 2019 World Investor Week celebrations started with the launch of the commission's Investor Quest game on Monday at the International Waterfront Centre. Speaking at the event was the commission's CEO Hayden Gittens who said, "We are continuously exploring engaging ways to connect to our investors."

With the game described as an online simulation of financial markets which will expose users to concepts in economics, investing and personal financing, it is geared towards current and upcoming investors as well as anyone willing to gain new knowledge.

Explaining the commission's strategy in developing a digital game, Gittens asked, "How do you reach your target audience if you are not where they are?" In asking the question he pointed to the evolution of the commission's effort to educate the public as he said, "We have manoeuvred from utilizing various traditional media to now adopting new social media into our strategy." Noting the current digital atmosphere he said, "Our latest advancement is Investor Quest TT."

Developed over the span of a year and a half, Gittens said he was pleased to launch the game which was developed through partnerships with the TT Stock Exchange Limited and the Securities Dealers Association. He hopes that the game would be, "A safe space where you can practice investing, learn how market works and test investment strategies."

Present was TT stock exchange CEO Amoy Van Lowe who described the game's launch as an opportune time. Welcoming the new initiative she said, "Our market continues to shift into the digitize era." Highlighting increasing global dependency on technology which is changing the dynamics of financial markets Lowe noted, "I am encouraged by this great use of technology that will connect users to the financial market through virtual investing."

Describing the game as one which users will benefit from real world learning opportunity Lowe took the opportunity to express support as she said, "We at the Stock Exchange fully support this online approach and we are happy to have collaborated with the TTSEC." She also revealed that the TT stock exchange is working on new technology that will support real-time online trading.

With Lowe noting that research has suggested games such as Investor Quest has the potential to increase student academic performance and aid in the development of proper financial behaviour amongst young persons she lauded the "unmatched educational impact of the initiatives."

At the launch were several schools whose students will participate with other investors for virtual cash in the game. Sharing why she choose to involve her students in the game, teacher at Bishop Anstey High School, Port of Spain, Danielle Holder said, "Students often learn in the classroom in a bubble." According to holder, "It is important for them to apply the theory to what goes on in the world." Holder says the game is an opportunity for her students who are in fourth form to connect what they have learnt in their business classes to the real word situations in investing and financing.