Reading opens door to dealing rooms

Reading University's business school will open next week a Pounds 2.5 million building for the financial markets complete with dealing rooms, writes Kam Patel.

The building's costs were covered by the International Securities Market Association (ISMA), a self-regulatory body and trade association for the international securities market.

Based at the university's department of economics, the ISMA Centre will provide simulations in dealing and investment with the latest technology used in investment houses and trading floors.

ISMA says the centre provides a unique approach, enabling students to spend much of their time participating in on-line trading, risk management and hedging simulation. Tim Hughes, deputy director of the ISMA Centre, said students will benefit immensely: "Simulated trading will provide students with a better understanding of what it is like working on the trading floor and how the market works. The simulations are really close to reality."