CIMA challenges UAE students to become the global business leaders of the future

Ambitious students across the world have the opportunity to gain global exposure and business skills for the future, courtesy of CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) Global Business Challenge (GBC). 

The 2014 CIMA GBC, which is being held in partnership with Barclays, is an international business management competition open to undergraduates of public and private colleges and universities. The competition is designed to showcase potential young business leaders. It provides students with a fantastic opportunity to showcase their ability on a global scale. It has previously led to internship and employment opportunities at various global companies. 

Each team will have to analyse, report and present on a CIMA case study. The winning team from each region will be flown to the global final in Mumbai, India, in August to compete against 23 other regions for the title of global champions.

Geetu Ahuja, Head of GCC, CIMA said: “Over the last five years, GBC has seen enthusiastic participation from universities across the Middle East. It is a great platform for students to hone their business, finance and management skills and exchange ideas with some of the best minds at work. After the phenomenal success of last year’s competition, where the Middle East team won the People’s Choice Video competition, we are expecting an even bigger participation this year.”

The teams taking part will come from across five continents: Australia, Bangladesh, China, Ghana, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, the Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the UK, Vietnam and Zambia. 

Andrew Harding FCMA, CGMA, Managing Director CIMA, said: “CIMA is proud to launch the sixth Global Business Challenge. The GBC has become a stage on which the best and brightest students from across the globe can show their talents. Many of the world’s most respected business leaders have qualified with CIMA. The competition represents a real opportunity for global businesses to find the leaders of the future.” 

Jane Clark, Barclays Head of Campus Recruitment for Europe and Asia stated: “Barclays is pleased to support the CIMA Global Business Challenge as global headline partner. The challenge offers bright, business-focused undergraduate students an opportunity to experience firsthand some of the real challenges faced by global organisations today, and to develop their business skills and knowledge.” 

Team Fusion from Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation in Russia, were crowned champions at the 2013 global final held in South Africa. The team beat over 16,000 international students and applicants before being assessed by a panel of industry expert judges from organisations around the world to emerge as global champions. Other winners at the final included Team Pinnacle from Middlesex University Dubai from the Middle East won the People’s Choice Video Competition. 

Students can register online by 6 April 2014. The GCC regional final will take place on 11 June 2014, followed by the global GBC finals in August 2014. To enter the 2014 CIMA GBC log onto www.cimaglobal.com/gbc and join the dedicated GBC Facebook www.facebook.com/cimagbc  page for regular updates and information on the teams.