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. Let’s check out their sharing.
Borden knowledge while horning presentation skills
BBA Global Business System Management
Richard Afandy
The HSBC/HKU Asia Pacific Case Competition was one of the most challenging case competitions I've ever been to as a 2nd-year student. Not only because it is the first time I participated in an international case competition but also the intense time constraints and variety of cases we must face during the 3 rounds of case solving.
The case-solving process really provided me with a steep learning curve, allowing me to understand different topics more deeply as the topics range from investment & financial instruments to the entertainment industry (which really resonates with me), to finally, blockchain in the supply chain. 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. And that is precisely what I got.
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 & team-building session that the organizer held. Though the whole experience was exhausting and costs a lot of my time & focus, this is one of the most rewarding experiences during my university life.
I would like to express the greatest gratitude to Dr Alvin Leung and other faculties who guided us through our training, last year's alumni of the case competition and CB who showed their relentless support, and most importantly my team members who spent the deadly 6 hours together and managed to perform the best we could! I really encourage everyone to participate in these kinds of case competitions that will allow you to grow further by utilizing the knowledge you already gained through classes in CityU.
I'm so glad that through everyone's collective effort and support, the CityU team managed to gain an outstanding result in the competition. Indeed, this would be one of the most memorable experiences for me!
Applying knowledge to shine at competition
BSc Computational Finance and Financial Technology
Andreas
HSBC/HKU Case Competition, in general, is an enjoyable experience for me as a 4th-year student, primarily because of the format of the case competition itself. As the time given is very short compared to other case competition formats (six hours vs. 24 hours), and also in the competition, we are required to hand draw our slide instead of making it in the PowerPoint. These two factors level the competition level and force us to be comfortable working under pressure.
There are two rounds in the case competition, the regional round in Hong Kong and the final round conducted online. From these two rounds, I was able to hone a range of skillset, from the regional round in Hong Kong, I was able to hone my public speaking skills as the presentation for this round was held in the HSBC Main Building in Hong Kong. While 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. However, if there is one main takeaway regarding the skills that I honed throughout the competition, it would be leadership and teamwork skills. During this competition, I was the only final-year student in the group. Hence, I got a chance to transfer some of the knowledge I gained through my college experience to some of the juniors on the team and help mentor them during the overall case competition process.
Lastly, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Dr Alvin Leung and Dr Huazhong Zhao, our coaches, who always believed in us and supported us throughout the preparation and the competition. I also want to thank the HSBC/HKU Case Competition team alumni, who tirelessly support us by always giving constructive feedback to the team during the training session. Lastly, my deepest gratitude to my team members who always try to give their best through thick and thin during the competition.
Tough process, fruitful outcome
BBA Global Business
Gisela Gwen Michelle
HSBC/HKU Case Competition 2023 was an unexpectedly long and tiring journey for me. 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 definitely pushed me beyond my limits. I never expected such high pressure would come in my first year of university life. 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.
Yet, after going through all the stages with my teammates over the past few months, I can confidently say that participating in this competition was one of the best decisions I have made. The process was tough, but the aftertaste is sweet. I knew I wouldn't find this kind of learning opportunity elsewhere, and for that, I'm grateful for the chance.
I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Dr Alvin Leung, Dr Huazhong Zhao, all our coaches, and last year's teams for their tireless support and belief in us. And to my teammates, Andreas, Richard, and Rafiza, thank you for the tremendous energy you brought until our last case in the Asia Pacific Final Round. It has been an honor working together with all of you. See you guys on top!
Improve skills in communication, problem-solving and presentation
BBA Accountancy
MIRZA Rafiza
If I had to pick a memorable moment from my time at CityU, one would definitely be winning the HSBC/HKU Hong Kong Business Case Competition 2023! Alongside my teammates Gwen, Richard, and Andreas, and under the guidance of Dr Alvin Leung from the College of Business, we achieved remarkable success.
Our journey began with rigorous preparations, requiring us to practice every Sunday for over a month. These dedicated sessions allowed us to improve our communication, problem-solving, and presentation skills. Collaborating with my teammates was a joy; their open-mindedness and strong communication made our discussions productive and fruitful. It was this collaborative spirit that shone through in our presentations, setting us apart from the competition.
The Hong Kong round saw us compete against eight other universities in the city. We analyzed complex business cases, brainstormed innovative solutions, and delivered a compelling presentation. In both rounds, the cases pushed us to the limits. In fact, the director of the company for the second-round case was one of the judges! Our hard work paid off when we emerged as the winners, an achievement that filled us with pride.
Building on our success, we advanced to the APAC round, where we faced formidable teams from across the world: Indonesia, India, Philippines, China, Japan, and even Canada and Serbia. The competition was fierce, but we embraced the challenges head-on. Leveraging our diverse backgrounds and the lessons learned, we showcased our skills and impressed the judges. As a result, we secured the 1st runner-up position, cementing our team's exceptional performance.
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. Moreover, my presentation skills were refined, enabling me to confidently deliver my message concisely and clearly.
Participating in the HSBC/HKU Hong Kong and APAC Business Case Competition 2023 was a defining moment in my academic journey. It fostered friendships, instilled essential skills, and created lasting memories. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity and excited to see how this experience will shape my future endeavors.