A team of four students from the College of Business (CB) at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) has won the McDonough Business Strategy Challenge (MBSC) 2024.

The CB team beat business school students from 17 universities worldwide to win this non-profit case consulting competition organised by Georgetown University, US. It’s the largest such competition for undergraduates in the US. 

“MBSC was an incredibly challenging yet rewarding case competition, providing us with a unique opportunity to communicate and receive client feedback directly,” says Gloria Andry Putri, a Year 4 Business Analysis student.

The team found the focus on non-profit to be particularly enriching.

“We had to tweak our typical approach to business, which usually aims for profits, towards creating a more significant impact. Unlike traditional business strategies that often target specific markets, this competition has shown me the importance of striving for the betterment of as many beneficiaries as possible and embracing inclusivity,” says Gisela Gwen Michelle, a Year 2 Global Business student.

The overall learning experience offered tremendous scope for gaining valuable problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. 

“We learned to adapt quickly under tremendous pressure and time constraints. We built on our presentation skills and improved our abilities to deliver ideas in a digestible yet comprehensive manner,” says Harry Noh Hyunin, a Year 4 Global Business student.

Richard Ponto, a Year 3 Computational Finance and Financial Technology student, adds that the experience has taught the team how to maintain a high-level top-down approach regarding problem identification and synthesis and delivering solutions within a single integrated story for more significant impact.

The students say CityUHK has provided a solid foundation for their study. They have learned a wide range of skills and developed the capability to think critically, communicate effectively and collaborate with diverse groups of people.

Professor Jonathan Ng Tai-sing, Adjunct Professor in CB and the team’s coach, says he is immensely proud of the team for winning such a hugely renowned competition.

“Participating in the MBSC is not only about winning but also about learning, networking, and contributing to a greater cause. I am delighted that the CityUHK team was able to integrate these elements, demonstrating their business acumen and commitment to social impact.”