Students in London and Singapore are being called upon to address the world's economic dilemmas in the Threadneedle Investment Award 2013. The winners will receive a £12,000 (around $19,000) scholarship and an internship with Threadneedle.

The competition, run by Threadneedle in partnership with London’s Cass Business School and Singapore Management University, is open to investment and finance students at the two institutions. Entrants are required to write an essay addressing a question relevant to their region, with a focus on the challenges faced by investors.

“As an organisation we value idea generation and original thinking and the award seeks to encourage bright people with an interest in investing at the very start of their careers,” said Campbell Fleming, Threadneedle’s head of distribution.

Professor Howard Thomas, Dean of the SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business, added: “this scholarship award is undoubtedly a unique opportunity for students at both SMU and Cass to ... get invaluable exposure in two of the world’s top financial markets in Asia and Europe.”

Three entrants from each university will be chosen to present their ideas to a panel of judges from Threadneedle, Cass and SMU. One winner from Cass and SMU will receive £12,000 towards their tuition fees and an internship at Threadneedle, including time spent in the firm’s London and Singapore offices.