The UP Diliman (UPD) Cesar E.A. Virata School of Business (VSB) has once again brought honor to the University by winning the gold prize at the Wing Lung Bank International Institute for Business Development (IIBD) International Case Competition 2024. This prestigious recognition was achieved by a team of student representatives from VSB, highlighting their exceptional presentation skills and innovative solutions in a competitive international arena.

Awarded the prize were four Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accountancy students: Chelsea Denise T. Cregencia, Karla S. Lorena, Ma. Angelica Grace L. Rapal, and Aleisha Hailey O. Uy. Lorena was also awarded Best Presenter of the competition.

According to the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) School of Business website, the Wing Lung Bank IIBD International Case Competition was established in 2008 and has since then been “a unique learning platform for students to apply their knowledge, critical thinking, and creativity to solve real-life business issues. It also provides a great opportunity for participants to network with other participating teams and impactful industry professionals from across the globe.”

Founded in 1993 and hosted by the HKBU, the Wing Lung Bank IIBD is an international consortium of “18 member universities from Australia, Canada, Sweden, Thailand, the Netherlands, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, USA, and China,” whose “mission is to facilitate the growth and development of international business education activities through the cooperation and joint ventures with its global network.”

The competition this year was held on Nov. 7 at Zwolle, the Netherlands,with the theme Water for the World. It was jointly hosted by the Windesheim University of Applied Sciences and the HKBU.

The team was coached by Mikhael Anjelu Magana, assistant professor at the VSB and director of the undergraduate programs.

In the finals, the team outperformed other global contenders, impressing the judges with their presentation of “a fresh produce company, emphasizing the sustainability of farming practices and the financial viability of the proposed strategies,” as noted in a post on the VSB Facebook page.