The Richard Ivey School of Business is showcasing its case-based learning method and exposing students to diverse perspectives and challenges of the global marketplace via the 20th Annual Scotiabank International Case Competition March 18-21.
The competition, held at Ivey Business School and sponsored by Scotiabank Group, will see undergraduate students from many of the world’s top business schools vying to find innovative solutions to an international business problem.
This year there are 12 teams from 11 countries. The students will analyze and evaluate a business case and present their findings to a panel of senior business executives for judging. It’s an opportunity for them to experience Ivey’s unique case-based learning, modeled after Harvard University, to build critical judgment and decision-making skills.
The event also includes social activities, such as movies and bowling, with a “Spirit Cup” awarded to the team that best demonstrates the motto “Work Hard, Play Hard”.
“One of our goals at Ivey is to create leaders who think globally. This competition exemplifies that because it offers students an opportunity to learn about the culture and business environment of other countries through exposure to different international perspectives,” said Darren Meister, Associate Professor and Faculty Director of the HBA Program, Ivey Business School.
“In today’s competitive global marketplace, it’s critical for managers to not only understand cultural issues and be sensitive to cultural differences but to learn how to use diversity as a business advantage.”
Scotiabank, which operates in 50 countries around the world, has sponsored the competition for nine years.
“As Canada’s most international bank, Scotiabank shares Ivey’s vision of bringing international students together to learn from each other and forge relationships, which are so important in today’s global business environment,” said Sylvia Chrominska, Group Head, Global Human Resources and Communications, Scotiabank. “We are proud to sponsor an event that offers such a challenging experience and enables participants to develop personal strengths in the areas of focus, commitment and insight, all of which are qualities of leaders at Scotiabank.”
Initiated by the late Harold Crookell, a former Ivey faculty member, the competition provides a forum for undergraduate students to demonstrate their business expertise.
This year’s teams are from Brazil, Hong Kong, Hungary, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and Thailand. In addition to Scotiabank Group, Export Development Canada, MDS Inc. and Labatt Brewing Company Ltd. are sponsoring the competition.
Judges include:
Sylvia Chrominska, HBA ’75, Group Head, Global Human Resources and Communications, Scotiabank Group John Barnes, HBA ’75, Director of Tax, Labatt Brewing Company Ltd. Jeremy Bornstein, HBA ’01/MBA ’06, Manager, Accenture Gordon Brown, HBA ’76, Managing Director, Marsh Canada Ltd. Liane Davey, Principal and Central Region Team Leader, Knightsbridge Human Capital Management Inc. P. Luc Dupont, Director, Strategy and Operations, International Business Development, Export Development Canada Mary Federau, MBA ’87, Senior Vice President, Talent Development and Global Human Resources, MDS Inc. Lorne Goldstein, HBA ’72, President, Binbrook Holdings Ltd. Darren Jack, HBA ’88, MBA ’92, Managing Director, Impact 360? John Kelleher, HBA ’97, Chief Operating Officer, R.J. McCarthy Vincent MacNeil, President, MacNeil Wash Systems Elodie Mathieu, HBA ’07, Consultant, Deloitte Inc. Mark Whitmore, MBA ’91, Partner, Deloitte Inc.