The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) is offering students the opportunity to make the most of the economic boom by writing about it. More than £1,500 is on offer to the six best essays by third-level students on the topic "Higher Education: Developing People or Feeding the Economy?".

Entries are welcome from all disciplines. The only accounting knowledge needed is the ability to discuss whether "value for money" should be the prime consideration in administering the education system and whether "we're taking too short term a view in higher education".

The authors of the best six entries will be invited to attend a lunch and reception in AIB Bankcentre, Ballsbridge, Dublin, on April 23rd, and will be interviewed that morning on the content of their article. The overall winner will end the day £750 richer on the strength of an essay and a bit of a row.

Essays should be no more than 1,500 words in length; entry forms are available from campus branches of AIB. The deadline is Thursday, March 19th.