School of Business students win first and third at international case competition

Two teams from UPEI’s School of Business had excellent showings at the recent Inter-Collegiate Business Competition (ICBC) at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario. ICBC is Canada’s longest-running undergraduate business case competition, with participants competing in eight divisions: accounting, business policy, ethics, debate, finance, human resources, marketing, and management of information systems. One of UPEI’s teams placed first in the marketing division; a second team came in third in ethics.

UPEI’s case teams competed in a preliminary round in October against dozens of teams from around the world. Students were presented a case of real-world problems faced by a business and were tasked with providing a written analysis and solution. UPEI’s strong showing in the fall earned it an invitation to participate in the final round in the marketing and ethics categories.

“We are proud to have had teams qualify in two categories in the final round of such a prestigious competition,“ said Dr. Juergen Krause, dean of UPEI’s School of Business. “It is amazing that both teams were so successful. This is an exceptional achievement.”

Teams had five and a half hours to prepare, with no access to the Internet. They had 15 minutes to present their solution to a panel of judges, including academic and industry professionals, followed by a Q&A period and defense of their recommendations.

UPEI’s marketing team, made up of Hannah Dawson (fourth-year BBA, marketing specialization) and Cullen Mullally (fourth-year BBA, finance specialization) competed against teams from the University of Toronto, University of Alberta, University of Regina, and Wilfred Laurier University.

“ICBC was a great social and educational experience,” said Mullally. “It was very well organized and allowed us to develop new friends and acquaintances that I'm sure will last a long time.”

“I am grateful to our program coordinator, Mary Whitrow, and our professors for the time they spent helping us train— Dr. Andrew Carrothers, Dr. Gary Evans, Dr. Susan Graham, Dr. Blake Jelley, Amy MacFarlane, Dr. Tarek Mady, and Dr. Tina Saksida,” said Dawson. “Having the full support of our faculty and dean behind us made all the difference.”

The ethics team, made up of Kate Kinsman (fourth-year BBA, accounting specialization) and Harrison Wood (fourth-year BBA, accounting specialization), competed against teams from Calgary University, Concordia University, University of Alberta, University of Vermont, and Saint Mary’s University.

“Not only did we have the chance to grow within our particular disciplines, we were given the opportunity to learn from industry professionals in all areas of business,” said Kinsman.

“Two podium finishes for UPEI is a testament to the quality of our business program and the preparation we put into competing at case competitions,” said Wood. “I am very proud of both teams and am grateful that UPEI gives us the opportunity to compete in such challenging and rewarding events.”

“These Canadian and American Institutions have some of the strongest case teams in the world,” said case competition program coordinator and coach Mary Whitrow. “It is gratifying to see our teams compete and rank so well against them.”

UPEI’s School of Business has a great track record at the ICBC.:

• 2016: third place, marketing division
• 2015: third place, business policy division
• 2013: first place, ethics division
• 2012: second place, ethics division

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.