The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) International Case Competition (HKICC) 2026, hosted by the HKUST Business School, concluded successfully. This year's competition brought together outstanding students from 12 leading universities from around the world. Leveraging HKUST's strengths in innovation, business education, and global connectivity, the competition provided a dynamic platform for participants to tackle complex business challenges, exchange ideas across cultures, and develop innovative solutions to real-world issues facing modern enterprises.
Following a series of highly competitive rounds, the University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business stood out from the 12 participating teams to clinch the championship, while also taking home the Outstanding Business Concept Award. The University of Southern California Marshall School of Business and the National University of Singapore were named first and second runners-up respectively.
Supported by HSBC for the fourth consecutive year, the HKICC has grown into one of Asia's premier international business case competitions and a flagship platform for nurturing future business leaders. This year's competition focused on the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on industries and business decision-making. Drawing on cases from the financial services and aviation sectors, participants were challenged to develop forward-looking strategies that applied AI to address evolving customer expectations and emerging industry trends. By bridging academic knowledge with real-world business challenges, the competition broadened students' global perspectives, strengthened their analytical and problem-solving capabilities, and prepared them for leadership in an increasingly complex business environment.
The week-long competition brought together teams from 12 universities spanning Australia, Canada, Hungary, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, and the United States. Through both "mini-case" and "main-case" rounds, participants developed actionable business strategies centered on AI innovation and application. Four finalist teams presented their recommendations to a judging panel comprising senior business leaders. Beyond the competition, students took part in an experiential visit to Hong Kong Ocean Park, where they explored the park's integration of conservation, education, entertainment, and local culture, thereby enriching their understanding of Hong Kong and fostering cross-cultural exchange.
Prof. Frederik ANSEEL, Dean of the HKUST Business School, said, "I extend my warmest congratulations to the winning teams and all participants for their outstanding performance. The success of HKICC underscores our commitment to developing globally minded business leaders through experiential learning and international exchange. By bringing together outstanding students from leading universities across different regions, the competition fosters innovative thinking, cross-cultural collaboration, and the practical skills needed to navigate today's rapidly evolving business landscape."
"With a student community representing more than 65 countries and regions, HKUST is dedicated to creating a diverse and globally connected learning environment. We are delighted to welcome talented students to experience Hong Kong's unique strengths as a world-class study destination and international innovation hub. Through competitions like HKICC, we support the Government's 'Hong Kong: Your World-class Campus' initiative by showcasing the city's academic excellence, global connectivity, and vibrant opportunities for young talent. We hope participants leave not only with new skills and friendships, but also a deeper appreciation of Hong Kong as a place to learn, innovate, and build their future careers," added Prof. Anseel.
Mr. David GRIMME, Chief Operating Officer, Asia and Middle East, HSBC, said, "As a bank with deep international roots, we see how opportunity travels across borders and how collaboration across cultures turns strong ideas into stronger outcomes. The HKICC comes at a time when technology and data are redefining the way organisations innovate, serve customers, and manage risk."
Recognized with the Best Presenter Award for his exceptional analytical and communication skills, Mr. Liron SAEDI from the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business said, "AI can assist us in conducting in-depth research and analyzing cases effectively, but ultimately, we are the ones who must propose recommendations and drive the implementation of solutions. Therefore, we must truly understand our own proposals and clearly articulate how to translate them into actionable plans."
List of award winners:
Champion: |
University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business |
First Runner-up: |
University of Southern California Marshall School of Business |
| Second Runner-up: | National University of Singapore |
| Outstanding Business Concept Award: | University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business |
Best Presenter Award: |
Liron SAEDI from University of Southern California Marshall School of Business |
List of Participating Teams of HKICC 2026(listed in alphabetical order)
Asia Pacific
1. Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
2. National University of Singapore, Singapore
3. Thammasat University, Thailand
4. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, HKSAR, China
5. University of New South Wales, Australia
6. Yonsei University - Yonsei School of Business, Korea
Europe
7. Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary
8. Maastricht University, Netherlands
9. University of Navarra, Spain
North America
10. University of British Columbia - Sauder School of Business, Canada
11. University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business, United States
12. University of Toronto, Canada
