The University of Northampton (UON) is celebrating the success of three graduates who have each been awarded scholarships from the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute—one of the most respected professional bodies in global finance.
These scholarships recognise academic excellence, ambition, and commitment to professional development, and will help the recipients take their first steps toward internationally recognised qualifications. They were all recognised during their Graduation Ceremony at Royal & Derngate Theatre this week.
The recipients—Ashanté-Paisley Temeng, Anastasija Gore, and Auranut Areechalerm—graduated from UON’s BSc Finance and International Finance programmes and now join a select group of candidates preparing for CFA exams, widely regarded as the gold standard for investment professionals.
London-based Ashanté-Paisley, 23, graduated this year and is already preparing for the CFA Level 1 exam. Her interest in finance was sparked by a love of mathematics and STEM projects during school, a love strengthened by conversations with her father about financial markets.
“The scholarship is more than financial support—it’s a professional endorsement,” Ashanté said. “Employers value the CFA qualification, and it shows I’m serious about working in finance.”
Ashanté is applying for graduate schemes in asset management and credits her lecturers and mentors for encouraging her to apply for the scholarship. She hopes her story will inspire others to pursue their goals, even when the path feels uncertain. She added: “Having the scholarship has helped me in conversations with professionals and opened up more opportunities.”
Originally from Latvia, Anastasija 39, moved to the UK aged 19 with just £300 and a suitcase. After years of working in estate agency and mortgage broking, she enrolled in UON’s BSc Finance programme as a mature student while balancing work and parenting.
She said: “The CFA is like an international driving licence for finance, it opens doors anywhere and shows you’re committed to high standards.”
Now studying for a Master’s in Financial Technology, Anastasija aims to modernise mortgage processes and promote transparency. Her long-term ambition is to work with regulatory bodies such as the Financial Conduct Authority or the Bank of England to improve financial systems and accessibility.
23-year-old Auranut, originally from Thailand, graduated from UON’s International Finance programme and is now pursuing a Master’s in Finance. Her CFA scholarship supports her goal of earning the Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM), a specialist qualification for investment professionals.
“I always planned to take the CIPM exam, but the scholarship gave me a deadline and pushed me to prepare seriously,” she said.
With experience in commercial lending and securities, Auranut hopes to work for a major financial institution before launching her own finance-related business.
Dr I-Chen Jennifer Lu, Programme Leader for BSc Finance at UON, praised the graduates: “Their stories reflect determination, adaptability, and ambition. The CFA scholarships are key milestones that will help them make a meaningful impact in the financial sector.”
The CFA Institute is a global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for ethics, education, and professional excellence. Its CFA and CIPM qualifications are recognised worldwide as benchmarks for expertise in investment management.
For more information, visit their website.
