BARITA, powered by Cornerstone, in partnership with The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Mona Math Club, recently hosted a milestone awards ceremony to celebrate the culmination of their skills optimisation challenge. This event honours the dedication and ingenuity of talented Math Club and Math Department students at The UWI, whose exceptional problem-solving skills demonstrate their potential to impact the world.

The challenge, conceived by Cornerstone Trust & Merchant Bank’s data insight and impact leader Percival Hurditt, and led by Regina Taylor, senior HR officer for learning & development at Barita, aimed to harness the versatile skills of young mathematicians, their ability to define problems, think critically, and develop innovative solutions.

During his keynote speech, Dane Brodber, chief executive officer of Barita Financial Group, expressed deep appreciation for the engagement of the students and faculty, emphasising the importance of these skills in today’s evolving industries. He highlighted how a background in mathematics and applied sciences is increasingly relevant among industry leaders and how the problem-solving mindset transcends disciplines, from economics to engineering.

“Your approach to viewing and understanding the world through mathematics positions you as problem solvers, innovators, and thinkers capable of tackling pressing challenges,” said Brodber.

“Your talent is not limited to mathematics and finance, your skills have broad applications across multiple sectors, and I encourage you to view yourselves as versatile change-makers.”

The challenge focused on calculating customer lifetime value, an essential metric in business that influences strategic decisions related to revenue, cost management, and risk optimisation. The students’ analysis demonstrated rigorous application of real-world data, innovative thinking, and practical recommendations that could drive significant business outcomes.

As part of his closing remarks, Brodber advised students to continuously seek to learn and develop new skills throughout their careers, emphasising that bringing and acquiring skills is key to solving bigger problems and delivering greater value in any role.