OCNews

Nine Okanagan College School of Business students are preparing to compete at the 2024 Inter-Collegiate Business Competition (I.C.B.C). Hosted at Queen’s University in Kingston from January 12 to 14, the three-day event is Canada’s largest and longest-standing undergraduate case competition. 

Finance duo Manmeet Dhaliwal and Jonathan Van Dam, coached by faculty members Graham Moir and Mike Hazen, are among the group of OC students who will test their business ideas against peers from other post-secondary institutions. 

“Our team is thrilled to represent the Okanagan College School of Business at the Queen's business competition,” says Dhaliwal, who achieved a second-place finish in the Debate category at the 2023 event. “I've learned a lot over the last three years, and I'm excited to put it on display. I'm very thankful to my peers and the OC faculty who helped us get here, especially our coaches who have guided us along the way.”  

Competing in I.C.B.C for the first time, Van Dam reflects on the College’s impressive track record and hopes to continue the success this year. 

“This competition will be unlike anything I've experienced before, pushing me beyond my comfort zone, testing my knowledge and challenging my strengths,” says Van Dam. “I'm confident that our coaches have prepared us thoroughly, and the education provided by the College is unparalleled. Overall, I'm excited about this opportunity and feel grateful to serve as the College's representative!” 

In addition to the Finance team, students Jacob Bourchier and Dawson Perry make up the Digital Strategy team, coached by Aidan Cole. Chantelle Gaberel-McLeod forms the Ethics team, coached by Robert Ryan and Caroline Gilchrist. Students Rhia Whittaker and Jayden Lalonde will compete on OC’s Marketing team, coached by Dan Allen and Michael Orwick, while the Debate team includes Ben Harris and Patrick Gilmour, coached by Dustin Gumpinger and Bob Groves. Each team is paired with an OC faculty member as their coach. 

“Over the years, students in the School of Business at Okanagan College have shown consistently that they can compete with the very best,” says Laura Thurnheer, Associate Dean, School of Business. “We are proud to offer a top-tier business education at Okanagan College and support involvement in opportunities that help our graduates make an impact in their communities and chosen areas of work.” 

This year’s competitors include nine OC business students who advanced to the finals following a qualifying round held last October. They follow in the footsteps of OC students and faculty who claimed top spots at last year’s event, including four top-three finishes and the team spirit award.  

Since 1978, top business schools have attended the competition each year. This year, over 38 post-secondary institutions from around the world competed in the qualifying round, with the top six in each category chosen to attend the final competition. Teams will be given a business case and will have five and a half hours to prepare their recommendation/solution before presenting to a panel of judges.  

Full results will be shared to OC’s news blog at okanagan.bc.ca/news following the competition.

To learn more about I.C.B.C, visit icbcqueens.com.