CB students win 1st runner-up at the HSBC/HKU Asia Pacific Business Case Competition 2023
Representing CityU, a team of four undergraduate students won 1st runner-up at the HSBC/HKU Asia Pacific Business Case Competition 2023 held from 23 May to 1 June 2023 via zoom. Participating students included Richard Afandy from BBA Global Business Systems Management, Andreas from BSc Computational Finance and Financial Technology, Gisela Gwen Michelle from BBA Global Business, and Rafiza Mirza from BBA Accountancy.
The students’ winning journey started from the Hong Kong Competition. They competed face-to-face with other 8 universities in Hong Kong from 20 – 22 April 2023. The students nailed it and took the champion trophy at the event.
The team wins the Hong Kong competition and earns the entry ticket to the Asia Pacific competition.
A total of twenty-four participating universities across the globe participated in the online Asia Pacific Business Case Competition. The CityU team was able to stand out in the game with their strong business knowledge, creativity and global perspectives, and won the 1st runner-up.
The CityU team presents its business solution before the judges via zoom.
The students appreciated the opportunities for participating in the competition. Gisela Gwen Michelle, a first-year student, reflected on the experience, “The intensity of the six-hour case-solving process, countless hours of presentation rehearsals, and all the hecticness of behind-the-scenes preparations before and during the competition have pushed me beyond limits! Also, the tension, accompanied by the adrenaline rush to present our solutions to the experts and even the Director of the company whose case we were solving, has elevated my mentality to another level.”
Richard Afandy appreciated that the case-solving process has provided him with a steep learning curve. “It requires critical thinking and strong background knowledge on the latest development of technology, consumer trends, and the business industry. This competition was the perfect place to broaden your knowledge while honing your presentation skills as a business student.” He also enjoyed the networking opportunities offered by the competition. “Although the APAC round was conducted online, we still got the chance to connect with various HSBC executives and participants from other countries through the networking session and team-building session that the organizer held,” shared Richard.
As a 4th year student, Andreas enjoyed the competition which marked a memorable closing to his undergraduate journey. “For the Asia Pacific Round, the case was very diverse in terms of the industry it covers, from the financial industry to the entertainment industry and the pharmacy industry. This experience helped me to become more fluid in terms of ideas generation to be able to tackle the problem in their respective industry,” he said.
Rafiza Mirza found the experience most rewarding. While the competition was fierce, they embraced the challenges head-on, “Leveraging our diverse backgrounds and the lessons learned, we showcased our skills and impressed the judges. Beyond the accolades, this competition taught me invaluable skills and life lessons. I learned the significance of effective communication in conveying ideas and the art of problem-solving under pressure,” said Rafiza.
The team members expressed their deepest gratitude to their coaches, Dr. Alvin Leung and Dr. Huazhong Zhao, who supported and guided them throughout the preparation and the competition.
Dr Alvin Leung was delighted to learn about the achievement of students. “The outstanding performance of our students in the competition not only showcases their exceptional business skills and global perspectives but also represents the values and education philosophy of CityU College of Business. As a globally-oriented and innovative business school, we aim to nurture next-generation business leaders who can leverage technology in a rapidly changing environment. We believe in the power of impactful business knowledge and the importance of bridging the gap between academia and the global business community. Their achievement is a testament to the values we hold dear, and we are proud to have played a part in their success.”