Academic research submissions and proposals are accepted from October 1, 2023 - January 9, 2024.

IFAMA is partnering with the International School of Agribusiness Management (ISAM) to deliver an unforgettable 5-day World Conference in Almeria, Spain,  June 17 - 21, 2024.

The academic research Symposium and Student Case Competition will be located on the campus of ISAM.

IFAMA provides the World’s premium agribusiness platform for sharing and collaboration among industry, researchers, teachers, and students. Contributors are invited to share their novel perspectives during the IFAMA 2024 conference.

We are pleased to announce a call for teams for the IFAMA 2024 Student Case Competition as part of the 2024 World Conference that will be hosted in Almeria, Spain June 17-20, 2024. 

Since 2005, IFAMA has hosted the only International Student Case Competition for students and early career professionals serving the agribusiness sector. It offers students and early career professionals a global stage to demonstrate their analytical and problem-solving skills, while giving their respective universities a venue to showcase the next generation of changemakers in the ag sector. (Learn more about the Student Case Competition).

GUIDELINES

Now in its 19th year, the Global Case Study Competition will be hosted in partnership with the International School of Agri Management (ISAM). Teams from around the world will have an opportunity to compete and showcase their talent on a global stage in a country that lives and breathes food and agribusiness.

The IFAMA Global Case Study Competition has established itself as the world-leading case championship for food and agribusiness sector.

Designed to challenge analytical, problem solving and strategy skills in addition to teamwork, design, and presentation skills – this competition provides an unparalleled experience to develop and showcase global case talent.

TEAM STRUCTURE

The 2024 competition will accommodate teams 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 largely be comprised 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.

PRELIMINARY ROUND

All teams will gather for group meeting prior to the start of the preliminary competition. Exact start times and complete details will be provided in advance of the competition. Teams will have four hours to analyze the case and submit their PowerPoint slides and another hour before their case presentation in front of 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.

Team presentations will be open to the public but participating teams may not attend the presentations of other competing teams. Approximately 30 minutes will be allocated for each presentation, five minutes for set up, 15 minutes allotted for the presentation, and ten minutes for a question-and-answer period with the judges. The judges will evaluate each team based on their presentation and responses to the judges’ questions.

SEMI-FINAL AND FINAL ROUNDS

The top five teams selected by the judges in each division will be invited to advance to a Semi-final Round of the competition on Tuesday, 18 June 2024. Although complete details are not yet available, teams advancing to the Semi-final Round can expect to complete one of the following scenarios: 1) Revise their preliminary round presentation after receiving further guidance from the Student Case Chairs; 2) Prepare a revised presentation after receiving a short addendum to the preliminary case; or they may receive an entirely new but shorter case in which they are required to analyze and develop a presentation.

The top two teams selected by the judges in each division will be invited to advance to a Final Round of that will take place during the first day of the Forum on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Fifteen minutes will be allotted for the presentation and 10 minutes for questions and answers. Judges will assign scores based on the presentations and responses to the judges’ questions.

The winners in each division will be formally recognized during the IFAMA awards ceremony.  Cash awards and other prizes to be announced.

TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION

Teams and individual registrants must register in advance by completing an application form (one application per team or individual). Students or Early Career Professionals who are not attached to a team but want to compete may apply to join and international team through completing and submitting the application. Every effort will be made to accommodate all unaffiliated students, however, if more applications are received than can be accommodated, preference will be given to applications with the earliest submission dates.  Every effort will be made to balance participation with teams from the various regions and universities represented in IFAMA.

Upon acceptance, all student team members and their advisors are expected to follow the normal registration process for the IFAMA conference. A fully paid registration is required for all team members by April 15, 2024.

STRUCTURE

The 2024 competition will accommodate teams 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 largely be comprised 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 in advance that will to be used by the judges.

PRELIMINARY ROUND

All teams will gather for group meeting prior to the start of the preliminary competition. Exact start times and complete details will be provided in advance of the competition. Teams will have four hours to analyze the case and submit their PowerPoint slides and another hour before their case presentation in front of 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.

Team presentations will be open to the public but participating teams may not attend the presentations of other competing teams. Approximately 30 minutes will be allocated for each presentation, five minutes for set up, 15 minutes for the presentation, and ten minutes for a question-and-answer period with the judges. The judges will evaluate each team based on their presentation and responses to the judges’ questions.

SEMI-FINAL AND FINAL ROUNDS

The top five teams selected by the judges in each division will be invited to advance to a Semi-final Round of the competition on Tuesday, 18 June 2024. Although complete details are not yet available, teams advancing to the Semi-Final Round can expect to complete one of the following scenarios: 1) Revise their Preliminary Round presentation after receiving further guidance from the Student Case Chairs; 2) Prepare a revised presentation after receiving a short addendum to the preliminary case; or they may receive an entirely new but shorter case in which they are required to analyze and develop a presentation.

The winners in each division will be formally recognized during the IFAMA Presidential Banquet and awards ceremony.    

For more information contact 2024 Student Case Competition Chair: Rocio Reina Paniagua: rreina@santelmo.org