In 2016, the Suliman S. Olayan School of Business (OSB) introduced the International Business Case Competitions program as an important strategic initiative designed to offer an unparalleled experiential learning opportunity to the most talented OSB and AUB students.
Since then, teams representing OSB/AUB have participated in the most prestigious competitions around the globe and achieved outstanding results. This includes competitions held in New Zealand, Hong Kong, Thailand, Norway, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Serbia, Spain, Portugal, Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Moreover, most of the graduates of the program have gone on to secure positions in top-tier consulting firms such as McKinsey & Co, BCG, Bain & Co, Strategy&, Oliver Wyman, A.T Kearney, RB, PWC and others.
The program's success stems from its capacity to continuously draw in bright and hard-working students, make a profound impact on their professional development, and provide them with the essential skills and competencies needed to excel in the job market, with a special focus on consulting careers.
With a solid foundation and a track record of success, the program is poised for further growth and continuous achievements.
Every year, a significant number (20—30) of major international business case competitions are held worldwide. These highly anticipated events attract prestigious universities from all corners of the globe and are often likened to the Olympics of business schools. Securing a spot in these competitions is a privilege, and universities can only participate if they receive an official invitation from the organizing institutions.
The competitions typically see a participation range of 12 to 36 universities in each event. Each competition has its own unique format, and the case-solving timeframes can vary significantly, ranging from as short as 3 hours to as long as 24 hours. To compete, each university must assemble a team of four talented students accompanied by a faculty advisor.
During these competitions, the participating teams take on real-world business challenges presented by case companies from diverse industries. They meticulously analyze the issues and obstacles faced by decision-makers in these companies. Then, the teams craft effective and viable strategies, offering creative and extensively researched solutions to tackle the presented challenges. The climax of the events comes when the teams present and defend their solutions before a panel of judges. These judging panels are usually comprised of industry experts, company representatives, consultants, business executives, and occasionally faculty members. This diverse group of judges brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to evaluate the proposed solutions and select the winners.
In essence, these case competitions unfold as real-time consulting projects for the case companies, where bright and talented students from around the world collaborate to provide innovative and valuable insights. It's an excellent opportunity for students to showcase their skills, learn from each other, and gain exposure to the global business landscape.