Tomorrow’s problem solvers

3 minute read

Twenty-two teams from 13 high schools participated in the latest Business Case Study Competition hosted by the ANU Research School of Accounting (RSA). 

This virtual competition brought together Year 11 and 12 students from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam to showcase their analytical, problem-solving and communication skills. 

Participants worked in teams on a hypothetical scenario to propose a financially-viable venture to establish a “recycling” initiative in a university setting for second-hand possessions, such as clothes and textbooks.
 
“Overall, we were impressed by the effort that was put into the reports and the video presentations submitted by the teams,” commented Professor Greg Shailer, representing the judging panel.

Team Maple from Taylor’s College Malaysia was announced as the winning team by a panel of RSA academics. Their written report and video presentation demonstrated an understanding of the relevant concepts, and the issues and challenges of operating their proposed venture. 

Members of Team Maple – Siao Ying Hue, Nikunj Vig and Jia Xin Kang – feel they have benefitted immensely from this unique learning experience.  

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In what ways do you think the competition prepared you for the business world?

Siao Ying Hue

I've learnt to be more meticulous and detailed, especially with figures and ideas, which are of paramount importance in the business world. Putting our business plans in writing proved crucial, as we were able to map out the potential challenges. Virtually presenting our report also really helped with my self-confidence, which gives an added advantage in the competitive business world.

What are the most valuable insights you gained from the competition?

Nikunj Vig

This competition was a fantastic learning opportunity for all of us. One of the most useful things I acquired was a deeper awareness of the value of teamwork. We needed to operate as a team because one person's knowledge, understanding, and depth of research was insufficient to do all of the tasks. It also helped us to have a better understanding of the second-hand market, as well as the underlying relevance of sustainability and profitability. 

Can you share an experience from the competition that changed and challenged you?

Jia Xin Kang

I’ll now further support and pay more attention to small businesses because I understand that it’s hard to survive as a new business. A challenging part of the competition was doing research on budgeting for the hypothetical recycling initiative.