School News

The team from RMIT University Vietnam has been named the 2025 champion of the HSBC/HKU Asia Pacific Business Case Competition, the world’s largest business case competition for undergraduates. This year’s competition, held from 2 to 6 June In Hong Kong, brought together 24 teams from 20 markets across the world.

Now in its 18^th year, the competition has benefited over 100,000 students, made possible by HSBC’s continued support. This year’s challenge asked participants to design a new procurement workflow aimed at building a diverse supply chain for HSBC in Asia. The goal was to promote the inclusion of underrepresented groups in the bank’s procurement processes.

The winning team has proposed a new cross-border support platform that connects small suppliers with their established counterparts in the region and allows small suppliers to obtain consultation and support from their established counterparts.

To enhance participants’ negotiation skills and business acumen, a new “Boardroom Challenge” was introduced to the competition this year. Teams had to develop innovative strategies for attracting tourists from their home markets to Hong Kong and debate them in front of the judges.  The challenge provided a platform for students to apply their cultural understanding in tailoring tourism strategies that resonate with the preferences of their home audiences while showcasing Hong Kong’s diverse offerings.

Beyond the boardroom, contestants also engaged with local NGOs to better understand the challenges and opportunities in fostering diversity and inclusion. Through hands-on volunteer activities with underprivileged communities, participants gained valuable insights into social and economic barriers that need to be addressed.

Speaking at the awards presentation ceremony, David Liao, Co-Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Asia and Middle East said: “Through a weeklong experience in Hong Kong, local and international students have solved challenges and forged lasting friendships. They now join more than 100,000 students who have participated in the business case competition since 2008. All part of the Hongkong Bank Foundation’s long-term commitment to youth development.”

Professor Hongbin Cai, Dean of HKU Business School, said, “For 18 years, HKU Business School and HSBC have partnered to cultivate the next generation of leaders for Hong Kong and beyond. As the world’s largest undergraduate business case competition, this event showcases students’ dedication and ingenuity. We are proud of their achievements, and that through rigorous case analysis and meaningful charitable initiatives, the students strengthened their critical thinking and leadership skills – essential for tackling tomorrow’s global and regional challenges.”

Results of the HSBC/HKU Asia Pacific Business Case Competition 2025

Champion – RMIT University Vietnam

First runner-up – University of Amsterdam

Second runner-up – Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

Organised by the Asia Case Research Centre, HKU Business School, The University of Hong Kong, the HSBC/HKU Hong Kong Business Case Competition is HSBC’s signature talent development project in Asia Pacific, designed to enrich the business skills and global perspectives of university students, as well as broaden their career prospects.

Learn more about the Hong Kong and Asia Pacific business case competitions: https://competition.acrc.hku.hk/