A group of four Global Management Program (GMP) students from Waseda University took part in the Hong Kong International Case Competition (HKICC) from October 1st to October 4th. The HKICC, an esteemed international case competition, has been organized annually by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology since 2003. This event brings together students from premier business schools worldwide, challenging them to devise practical solutions to business challenges presented by the event’s sponsoring companies.
Four Members of the Waseda Team for 2023 HKICC
(Nobuhiro Takahashi, Weiwei (Coco) Ji, Seika Okuba, Shuji Motoda, from left to right)
Building on the previous year’s experience, the Waseda team once again participated in the event, marking their second consecutive year of involvement. This year’s competition marked a return to in-person interactions after the previous year’s event held in virtual format. This shift provided the Waseda team with a distinctive opportunity to engage directly with peers from 11 other renowned business schools worldwide. The focus of this year’s competition was a case study from the Hong Kong Shanghai Bank of China (HSBC), the event’s primary sponsor. Teams were tasked with developing innovative solutions over a 22-hour period, addressing HSBC’s specific challenge of digitalizing their services for clients. The four GMP students representing Waseda University showcased their skills and creativity in addressing this contemporary business issue and presented their solutions to the judges comprised of practitioners and experts in the domain. The members of the Waseda team have provided their insights and shared their experiences from participating in the event below.
Cover of HSBC’s Case This Year
22-Hour Preparation for Competition
Waseda Team’s Presentation Slides
Waseda Team at the Main Event Held in the HSBC Building
“First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to GMP and the faculties for giving me this wonderful opportunity. The experience of watching the presentations of other renowned overseas teams at the competition, receiving direct feedback from people from large companies and professors, and working with my teammates to achieve the maximum output in the given time were truly invaluable experiences. Through this experience, I was able to realize the importance of refining my language skills, presentation skills, and problem-solving skills. Looking ahead, I’m eager to engage more actively in various activities, aiming to leverage the insights and skills acquired at HKICC in seminars and GMP initiatives, thereby fostering my continuous growth and development.” (Seika Okuba)
“First and foremost, my sincere gratitude goes to the school and faculty for providing me with this invaluable chance to be part of such a prestigious international event. I feel deeply honored and joyful to have had the opportunity to learn from and engage with exceptional students globally. During HKICC, my teammates and I transformed from mere acquaintances into close friends, mutually fostering learning and improvement. HKICC allowed me to interact and exchange ideas with business students from top universities, extending beyond Japan to the world.
The HKICC stands out as a memorable experience in my university journey, which expanded my worldview, particularly in understanding the skills required to emerge as a global leader. I also firmly believe that the connections I’ve made with many like-minded peers will be incredibly beneficial in my future endeavors. Lastly, I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has offered their support and encouragement throughout this experience.” (Weiwei (Coco) Ji)
“I want to convey my heartfelt thanks for the invaluable opportunity provided to me. The HKICC experience allowed me to engage in a diverse array of experiences and avenues for personal growth. I learned from other world’s top university teams the types of skills and qualities required to compete on an international platform. The chance to present in English on an international platform and interact with future leaders from the world’s top universities has been a significant addition to my life. I aim to use this experience as a foundation for my future, sharing the knowledge gained with those around me to spur further growth. In conclusion, my sincere appreciation goes to everyone who supported our involvement in HKICC and all those who played a part in this journey.” (Nobuhiro Takahashi)
“Participating in HKICC has been an incredibly exhilarating and significant experience in my life. It provided me with the opportunity to learn from international students adept at effectively communicating their ideas in English to global audiences. My main insight from the experience was the realization of how crucial it is to craft a compelling and persuasive narrative for business audiences, achieved by thoroughly analyzing key information and effectively justifying the feasibility of proposed solutions.
The event heightened my awareness of the differences between my capabilities and those of students from various parts of the world. This realization, far from disheartening me, fueled my motivation for future academic pursuits. Additionally, making friends from diverse backgrounds and perspectives has been a priceless gain. Several months of preparation and practice were challenging, but looking back, I am genuinely grateful that I have participated in this event. Finally, I extend my deepest gratitude to everyone involved, including faculties and seniors, for their support in my HKICC journey.” (Shuji Motoda)
