SACKVILLE, NB – A new collaboration between the Mount Allison University Commerce Department and Louisbourg Investments is giving students a valuable experiential learning experience in investment managing as part of their undergraduate education.

The launch of the Student Investment Fund will see Mount Allison students in investment-related Commerce classes and in the existing students’ Investment Club overseeing a portion of Louisbourg Investments’ portfolio under the guidance of professional investment analysts and portfolio managers at the Moncton headquarters.

Students will be advising on a portfolio at Louisbourg Investments with a value of approximately $100,000. They will work on pitches as part of their coursework and through the Investment Club and present their suggestions to the firm for feedback and guidance on investment decisions.

“We believe in encouraging our students to be innovative and to turn their ideas into action. These kinds of ‘real world’ opportunities are so valuable — they give students the opportunity to develop their knowledge and abilities in a risk-free environment while learning from professionals in their field,” says Dr. Jean-Paul Boudreau, Mount Allison University President and Vice-Chancellor. “We greatly appreciate Louisbourg Investments’ forward-thinking in partnering with us in this collaboration and their generosity in sharing their time and expertise with our students.”

“Louisbourg Investments is very happy to collaborate with Mount Allison University in the launch of the Student Investment Fund. The program will allow students to apply some of the knowledge gained in the classroom in a real-world setting with the management of the investment portfolio” says Luc Gaudet, Chief Executive Officer of Louisbourg Investments. “As the largest private sector investment management firm in Atlantic Canada, we believe it’s important to support our local institutions. This program will be a great complement to the knowledge learned in the classroom and will expose the students to the skills necessary to have a head start in careers in the investment management industry.”

The Mount Allison Students Investment Club placed second in the Canadian Venture Capital Investment Competition held at Saint Mary’s University earlier this month.

In addition to managing the portfolio, Mount Allison students will also gain access to Morningstar's CPMS Stock Market Database through the agreement with Louisbourg Investments, giving them valuable experience with and information about an important tool in the field of investment management and finance. Students and faculty in related commerce courses will all have access to this new resource to incorporate into classes and course assignments.

About Louisbourg Investments

Louisbourg Investments is one of the leading portfolio management and investment advisory firms in Atlantic Canada and is 100% owned by regional stakeholders. Founded in 1991, Louisbourg Investments has grown from humble beginnings to now managing over $2 billion in assets for clients across the country. The firm is 30% owned by members of the management team and 70% owned by Assumption Life.

About Mount Allison University

Mount Allison University has been ranked the top undergraduate university in Canada by Maclean’s magazine more times than any other university. With degrees in Arts, Science, Commerce, Fine Arts, and Music, the University provides a flexible liberal arts and sciences education that prepares students for any career path. Located in Sackville, New Brunswick, Mount Allison prides itself on providing a high-quality academic experience, combined with a variety of hands-on learning opportunities in a close-knit community. Students come from more than 50 countries around the world to make up a diverse, creative, and talented student body of approximately 2,200 students.

Photo caption (l-r): Gloria Jollymore, Mount Allison Vice-President, University Advancement, Luc Gaudet, CEO Louisbourg Investments, Edwin Booth, Mount Allison Commerce student and President of the Students' Investment Club, Rob Currie, Investment Analyst with Louisbourg Investments and Mount Allison alumnus, and Dr. Jean-Paul Boudreau, President and Vice-Chancellor, Mount Allison at a launch event held for the new collaboration on campus on March 25. The launch of the Student Investment Fund will see Mount Allison students overseeing a portion of Louisbourg Investments’ portfolio under the guidance of professional investment analysts and portfolio managers.