CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank has once again partnered with the University of the West Indies to stage the International Case Analysis Competition at the Learning Resource Centre, UWI’s St. Augustine Campus.

The annual competition saw young scholars from the three university campuses in Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad, as well as the University of Technology, also based in Jamaica, engaged in riveting debate as they attempted to walk away with prizes totaling US$75,000. While the four teams’ presentations were of a high standard, it was the energetic squad from the Cave Hill Campus that took home victory.

Judging the competition were drawn from the business and academic community based in Trinidad and included Mr. Fitzroy Harewood, General Manager, PowerGen; Mr. Glenford Joseph, Managing Director, Joseph & Associates, Mr. Sharan Chandradath Singh, Director, International Office, UWI, St. Augustine Campus; Mr. Sharaz Ahamad, Director, Origination & Capital Markets Products, Southern Caribbean, CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank and Ms. Usha Ramlal, Audit Portfolio Director, CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank.

The intense competition is mainly intended to build and reward the skills of UWI students in business case analysis. The participating students leave with much more than an adrenaline rush however, as the experience helps them to develop and improve their communication and critical thinking skills. They are also able to gain a better understanding of general theories and principles of current business issues and strategies.

Beyond the actual debate there were several events that contributed to the success of the overall experience such as the CIBC FirstCaribbean sponsored Presentation Skills Workshop hosted on Monday 28th May, at the Carlton Savannah. This left students equipped with self-confidence and empowerment that will hold them in good stead long after the competition ended. Beyond this, the competition also facilitated the development of friendships and networking opportunities through social encounters such as a trip to Maracas for the participants.

The competition is an important step in improving productivity and competitiveness among tertiary students and by extension in the region. Managing Director for Corporate & Investment Banking and Trinidad & Tobago, Ian Chinapoo recognised this in his address at the launch of the competition when he stated, “We at CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank acknowledge that knowledge has become a key driver of growth and development…our Bank is relentless in contributing to the quality of life and economic development by way of initiatives such as today’s UWI/CIBC FirstCaribbean Case Study Analysis Competition.”