IFAMA 2024 STUDENT CASE COMPETITION

IFAMA World Conferences convene members from academia, industry, government, NGOs, and young professionals from around the world to share, learn, explore, and build upon the latest research trends and innovations currently shaping the agribusiness sector.

We are pleased to announce that the IFAMA 2024 Student Case Competition will be hosted in Almeria, Spain as part of the 34th annual World Conference 17-21 June 2024, on the theme: Food Security through Innovation and Sustainability.

GUIDELINES

In its 19th year, IFAMA's International Student Case Competition is the only global case competition specifically targeting the agribusiness sector bringing together students from around the world in a rare venue that enables them to demonstrate their analytical and problem-solving skills before a panel of judges representing Industry and Academia. The competition provides students and their universities a global stage to showcase the next generation of leaders in the ag sector.

Team Structure

The 2024 competition will provide the opportunity for teams to compete in three divisions: undergraduate students; graduate students, or early career professionals. Early career professionals should be under 35-years old. Teams can have from 3-5 members.

Undergraduate teams must be comprised of only undergraduates. Mixed teams are allowed among the graduate and young professional levels; however, the team must be primarily composed of members within that category.

Universities may also send multiple teams. Individual student applications are also accepted, and teams can be formed with students from multiple universities (IFAMA can assist in this pairing if needed). A current IFAMA membership is required before team members can participate.

Competition Structure

Each team must have either an academic or industry advisor. The advisor will be the key point of contact between IFAMA and the team prior to the competition. Although advisors play a major role in helping students prepare for the competition, students must work independently from their advisor during the competition. Students and advisors will be given the scoring rubric to be used by the judges after enrolling in the competition.

Preliminary RoundS

All teams will gather before the preliminary competition for a meeting on Monday, 17 June. The exact start times and complete details will be provided in advance of the competition. Teams will receive the case five hours prior to their assigned presentation time.

Each team will have four hours (with a 1-hour break) from the time they receive their packet, to analyze the case, formulate a solution and create a PowerPoint presentation, which they will present before a panel of industry and academic judges. It is expected that team members will have comparable speaking roles and significantly contribute to their team’s presentation.

The presentation will be public but participating teams may not attend the presentations of other competing teams. Approximately 25 minutes will be allocated for each presentation, five minutes for set up, 15 minutes allotted for the presentation, and five minutes for a question and answer period with the judges. The judges will evaluate each team based on their written documents, presentation, and responses to the judges’ questions.

FinalS Round

The top two or three teams selected by the judges in each division will be invited to advance to a Finals Round on Tuesday, 18-June for another day of preparations. These teams will be showcased during a grand finale session during the Business Forum on Wednesday, 19-June before a panel of high-level judges and conference attendees.

The winners in each division will be formally recognized during the IFAMA awards ceremony on Thursday, 20-June. Cash awards and internship opportunities will be given.

You do not have a team and want to participate in the SCC? IFAMA welcomes applications from unattached Graduate Students or young professionals who want to compete but do not have a team. They will be placed on a level-appropriate, international team, if a minimum of three members submit to participate. Submit your application and let you know when teams are complete and register to IFAMA 2024 World Conference. A special rate fee will be available for people who are not in a team. 

TIMELINE

WHY COMPETE?

TEAM REGISTRATIONS

Please register your team by March 15, 2024. Application Form Coming Soon.

QUESTIONS

Questions regarding any aspect of this competition may be directed to Kathryn White: mkwhite@ifama.org

LEARN MORE

About the IFAMA Student Case Competition