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AM Best Names Three Finalists in 2026 Student Challenge

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Students from three universities have been selected as finalists for AM Best’s 2026 Student Challenge, which gives undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to develop innovative solutions for risk management and insurance.

The finalists and their topics are:

  • Faiza Ahmed and Anushka Nagaraj, Temple University: Meeting the Needs of the Gig Economy
  • Samit Bin Alam, St. John’s University: AI (Artificial Intelligence) Oversight
  • Mosharaf Khan and Molly Fitzpatrick, Rowan University: Meeting the Needs of the Gig Economy

The finalists will receive:

  • Prizes ($5,000 for the first-place individual or team, $3,000 for the second-place winner and $2,000 for the third-place winner, with prizes divided equally among team members)
  • An interview with AM Best TV
  • A feature article in Best’s Review magazine
  • Recognition on AM Best social media channels
  • An academic medal and trophy
  • Coverage in an AM Best press release

Each finalist’s recorded presentation of their proposed solution will be posted on AM Best’s 2026 Student Challenge website from March 17 to April 3, 2026. AM Best Rating Services, Inc. staff will vote for their top choice of the three finalists. Winners will be announced in Best’s Review on June 1, 2026.

“We appreciated every submission, all of which demonstrated students’ fresh thinking about current issues in the insurance industry,” said Lee McDonald, AM Best’s senior vice president, publication & news services. “Their perspectives and the quality of their ideas bode well for the industry’s future.”

AM Best’s 2026 Student Challenge is one of the company’s ongoing initiatives to support the development of new talent in the insurance industry. AM Best also provides an analytical development program and summer internships.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2025 by A.M. Best Company, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

Lee McDonald
Senior Vice President, Publication & News Services
+1 908 882 2102
lee.mcdonald@ambest.com

Industry:

AM Best

Release Versions
English

Contacts

Lee McDonald
Senior Vice President, Publication & News Services
+1 908 882 2102
lee.mcdonald@ambest.com

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