Thammasat University from Thailand has emerged the winner of the Citi International Case Competition 2007, beating 17 other outstanding teams from leading business schools around the world. The team consists of Mr. Akepisith Suttikulpanich, Miss Sirunya Buntornvorapun, Miss Supatsinee Leedhirakul, Miss Virasuita Chuaratanaphong and team advisor Ajarn James Paul Fitzpatrick.  The theme for this year?s competition was environmental protection to reduce the impact of climate change in business.

Held in Hong Kong from October 22 to 25, 2007, the fifth Citi International Case Competition attracted 18 teams from Canada, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Mainland China, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Thailand and the USA.

This international business case competition requires the teams to present ideas and solutions to manage the strategic challenges and managerial dilemmas faced by global business leaders. It also provides a forum for cross-cultural exchange of ideas and the sharing of experiences. The Citi International Case Competition is jointly organized by Citi and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology?s School of Business and Management (HKUST Business School), and sponsored by the Citi Foundation.

This year, The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas), Hong Kong?s first public utility company, provided the business case study for the competition. In addition to the background information and environmental protection issues to be addressed, Towngas specially arranged a company visit for the 18 teams. Each team was required to conduct an in-depth analysis of the available information and provide strategic recommendations to Towngas within 30 hours. A judging panel comprising 23 senior leaders from Citi, Towngas, HKUST and other key industries, evaluated the teams.

Sim S. Lim, Citi Country Officer for Hong Kong, said, ?With teams coming from all over the world, the Citi International Case Competition has been successful in promoting a global exchange of ideas. The team members gain valuable international business perspectives. By organizing and sponsoring this tertiary business education competition, we are helping to nurture some of the future business leaders and policymakers whose roles will be instrumental in the economic and social growth of their countries.?

John Ho, Chief Financial Officer at Towngas, said, ?We were pleased and honored to be the business case company in this year?s competition. We have been especially impressed by the strong analytical ability and originality of the teams. Each team put forward multifarious creative ideas and adopted a wide perspective, reflecting a diversity of backgrounds and cultures. We would like to congratulate the winning team for their outstanding work, and we send our best wishes for the continuing success of this international case competition in Hong Kong for many years to come.?

Professor Leonard K. Cheng, Acting Dean, HKUST Business School, said, "Team work, ability to work well in a multi-cultural environment, and determination to excel under pressure are all desirable learning outcomes of business education. We are thankful to Citi, the co-organizer and sponsor, and the case company Towngas, for providing a wonderful
learning experience to the participants of this most meaningful event."

The three runners-up are Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Helsinki School of Economics and University of Southern California.

The Citi International Case Competition has brought outstanding students from leading business schools from around the world to Hong Kong since 2003, enabling valuable academic and cultural exchanges. This event also highlights Hong Kong?s position as an international center of finance and education.

Participating Teams for 2007

Americas
1. Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM), Mexico
2. McGill University, Canada
3. University of Alberta, Canada
4. University of California at Berkeley, USA
5. University of Concordia, Canada
6. University of Southern California, USA
7. University of Texas at Austin, USA
8. University of Western Ontario, Canada

Asia Pacific
9. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR
10. National University of Singapore, Singapore
11. Peking University, PRC
12. Thammasat University, Thailand
13. Tsinghua University, PRC
14. University of Auckland, New Zealand

Europe
15. Copenhagen Business School, Denmark
16. Helsinki School of Economics, Finland
17. University of Maastricht, The Netherlands
18. University of Navarra, Spain

Source: Press Release HKUST Business School

Posted date: October 26, 2007 ? 12:40 hrs.