The 30th annual Scotiabank International Case Competition (SICC) brought bright, ambitious students from all over the world to Ivey for a four-day action-packed case competition.
Predominantly organized and executed by Ivey students, the competition took place from March 20-23. SICC is known to attract students globally because of its unique combination of international networking, real-world case experience, and – of course – fun.
Presented and sponsored by the Scotiabank Digital Banking Lab at Ivey and Scotiabank, SICC gives students an unparalleled chance to be exposed to different cultures and get real experience with international business.
“It was eye-opening for me to see how students from around the world approached a common case,” one of this year’s Co-chairs, Teo Carbunaru, HBA ’19 candidate, said. “This competition was a major learning opportunity with so many different cultures and viewpoints. It was a truly unique experience.”
This year, Ivey welcomed 13 teams from 11 countries:
- Germany - Münster School of Business and Economics
- Puerto Rico - Inter American University of Puerto Rico
- Canada - John Molson School of Business
- Mexico - Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México
- United States of America - Marshall School of Business
- United States of America - Georgetown University
- Spain - Instituto de Empresa (IE Business School)
- Ecuador - Universidad San Francisco de Quito
- Denmark - Aarhus University
- Hong Kong - University of Hong Kong
- Netherlands - Rotterdam School of Management
- United States of America - Florida State College of Business
- Australia - University of Technology Sydney
Georgetown University took home the first-place prize, with finalists coming from Concordia University, John Molson School of Business, Hong Kong University, and Florida State University.
Instituto de Empresa (IE Business School) won the coveted Spirit Cup for their enthusiasm in both the social events and the competition itself.
Competition rundown
This year’s case focused on the challenges and opportunities of the evolving consumer auto industry. To better understand the car buying and servicing process in Canada, SICC participants toured the Mercedes-Benz London dealership with Ryan Finch, HBA ’97.
A panel of senior executives and Ivey alumni from Scotiabank and other companies judged the competition, many of whom have been involved in SICC for years.
When students weren’t busy with case preparation and presentations, they were getting to know each other and experiencing life in Canada. Social opportunities including participating in SICC Olympics, bowling at Palasad, and visiting the bars and pubs along London’s Richmond Row.
International diversity
Carbunaru and fellow Co-chair Sara Troka, HBA ’19 candidate, said they were drawn to the competition because of its international flair. Both students are immigrants to Canada themselves.
“I have witnessed my family and other immigrants struggle to adapt to new norms,” Troka said. “The way business is done in Canada, and our social norms, can be completely different from other countries. At SICC, we showcased these similarities and differences so participants could learn from each other.”
“People’s diversity actually brings them together, and helps them develop stronger relationships,” Carbunaru said. “This diversity drove greater insights throughout the competition, but also created a vibrant social environment. By the end of the competition, you could see that every participant and executive felt part of the SICC community.”
The Scotiabank Digital Banking Lab at Ivey would like to thank Ryan Finch (HBA ’97) and the following judges for their help and participation.
- David Carrol, Volvo Car Financial Services
- Anthony Chang, HBA ’80, Consolidated Bakeries Jamaica Ltd.
- Lisa Citton-Battel, 3M
- David Douglas, MBA ’03, BDO
- Jose Guido, Scotiabank
- Peter Johnson, EMBA ’10, AutoPoint Group Inc.
- Randy Lyons, HBA ’83, MBA ’87, Scotiabank
- Ruth McBride, Scotiabank
- Gaurav Nagla, Scotiabank
- Craig Pattinson, MBA ’04, BCE
- Kevin Teslyk, MBA ’01, Scotiabank
- Kevin Yousie, HBA ’77, MBA ’80, Crosswater Partners
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