Financial Literacy – The Key to a Successful Future

On November 6, fourth-year students majoring in «Digital Media Dramaturgy» at the Faculty of Journalism of Farabi University, together with their academic curator Nazken Zhanserikkyzy, organized an intellectual competition entitled «100 Questions for a Successful Graduate», dedicated to financial literacy.

The main goal of the event was to improve students’ financial literacy, develop effective money management skills, and encourage future professionals to make responsible financial decisions. The competition, which tested participants’ knowledge and resourcefulness, gave students an opportunity to look at everyday financial challenges from a new perspective.

The intellectual competition began in an engaging format. Using ribbons of two different colours, participants were divided into two teams: «Capital» and «Million». Each team elected a captain and began working together towards a common goal. This approach not only randomly assigned participants to teams but also encouraged them to exchange ideas, make joint decisions, and demonstrate their teamwork skills.

The first of the competition’s two rounds was entitled «The Better You Calculate, the More You Accumulate». During this round, students were presented with a familiar situation: how can a monthly scholarship of 52,375 tenge be managed to last until the following month?

Participants allocated their funds to everyday necessities and discussed effective ways to plan expenses and save money. Some suggested prioritizing essential payments, while others emphasized the importance of setting aside money for unexpected expenses. Thus, a seemingly simple scholarship budgeting exercise developed into an active discussion among students.

The first round demonstrated that financial literacy is not simply about working with numbers. Above all, it involves distinguishing between needs and wants, setting the right priorities, and making the most of available resources.

The second and final round took the form of a quiz. The teams put their financial knowledge, logical thinking, and quick decision-making skills to the test. As they worked through each question, students discussed possible answers and supported their opinions with arguments. Following a close intellectual contest, the «Million» team emerged as the winner with the highest score.

However, the main achievement of the competition went beyond determining the winning team. Participants gained a deeper understanding of the importance of financial management and acquired practical knowledge that they can apply in their everyday lives.

At the end of the event, the group’s academic curator, Nazken Zhanserikkyzy, presented all students with books on financial literacy. The gifts served as an additional incentive for students to continue exploring the field of personal finance.

Financial independence does not begin with a high income but with the ability to manage the money one already has. In this regard, the intellectual competition «100 Questions for a Successful Graduate» became a meaningful initiative aimed at developing students’ financial awareness and responsible financial habits.

Students who learn to manage their scholarships today will be one step closer to making informed decisions about their income, professional opportunities, and future tomorrow. After all, financial literacy is not merely about saving money – it is about taking responsibility for one's future.