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March 11, 2025

The Lazaridis School of Business and Economics continues to make its mark on the global stage, with the Bachelor of Business Technology Management (BTM) team securing a silver podium finish while showcasing exceptional skill, resilience, and strategic thinking at the in Vancouver.

Hosted annually by the , the student-run CaseIT competition brings together top-tier business students from around the globe to tackle complex challenges focused on management information systems and business technology. This year’s competition was particularly intense, featuring cases that tested each team’s ability to integrate business acumen with technological insight.

The Lazaridis School BTM team, composed of , Sergej Tanovic, Darrell Li, and , competed against some of the best minds from top universities worldwide. Their performance, which culminated in an impressive second-place finish, demonstrated the strength of the BTM program.

A test of strategy, technology and resilience

Competing at CaseIT is no small feat. The competition pushes students to integrate technology with business strategy, developing innovative solutions under intense time constraints. For the Lazaridis School team, the journey to Vancouver began months in advance with rigorous training, practice cases, and valuable mentorship from their coaches.

Tanovic emphasized the importance of case competitions within the BTM program: “Our program introduces case competitions and consulting early on. They’re integrated into our curriculum through the CaseDebug competition in the first and second years. Even if students aren’t interested in consulting, these competitions build crucial organizational skills, like researching, collaborating, and presenting.”

Competing against the best

CaseIT 2025 featured a highly competitive field, with teams representing 12 of the world’s leading business schools. The Lazaridis team went head-to-head with students from institutions such as the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business, the National University of Singapore, Copenhagen Business School, and the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management, among others.

The University of Manchester’s Alliance Manchester Business School won this year’s competition, with the Lazaridis team securing second place and Corvinus University of Budapest taking third. The best speaker award went to Jasmine Peart from Deakin University.

The competition pushed the team to perform at their best. Li reflected on the calibre of their competitors: “The competition was fierce this year. I loved connecting with talented individuals from around the world, gaining new perspectives and forging valuable connections.”

Gardiner added, “This experience has been unforgettable—competing against so many incredible teams. Thank you to the judges and organizing committee for making this competition possible!”

Guidance from experienced mentors

The team’s success was made possible by the dedication and expertise of their coaches. Josephine McMurray, associate professor in the BTM program, and (BTM ’22), now a consultant at Deloitte played a critical role in preparing the students, guiding them through case analysis techniques, refining their presentation skills, and offering strategic insights.

 “For the past six months, they’ve met with us multiple times a week, including on weekends, to lecture, train, coach, and develop our skills in areas such as finance, change management, marketing, business strategy, storytelling, and presentation,” says Gardiner.

McMurray spoke to the significance of the competition for students.“CaseIT is a transformative experience for our students,” she says. “It challenges them to think critically, collaborate under pressure, and refine their strategic and technical skills in ways that go far beyond the classroom. Watching our case teams grow in confidence and capability over months of preparation—and then seeing them execute at such a high level— is incredibly rewarding.”

Sivakumar also reflected on the team’s journey. “The growth we saw in each of these students throughout the preparation process was phenomenal,” He says.” They demonstrated resilience, intellectual curiosity, and a level of professionalism that will serve them well in their future careers.”

A showcase of excellence

Throughout the competition, the Lazaridis team demonstrated an impressive ability to synthesize data-driven insights and present compelling recommendations. Their performance stood out in both the written analysis and presentation components, earning them praise from industry judges and fellow competitors alike.

The cases covered a range of industries and sectors, asking students to develop technology integration plans for companies with skills gaps, address privacy concerns related to AI, and leverage digital technologies to recommend sustainable ways to enhance service offerings.

Shafi shared her gratitude for the process. “Meeting so many amazing people, refining our deliberation process, and using everything we could to deliver our best solution,” says Shafi. “We grew during times of uncertainty, and I will forever be grateful for this life-changing experience.”

Exploring Vancouver: A well-rounded experience

Beyond the competition, the team took full advantage of their time in Vancouver, immersing themselves in the city’s culture and stunning scenery through the ‘DiscoverIT’ portion of the event. From the picturesque waterfront to Gastown, Granville Island, and the Vancouver Art Gallery, the trip was about more than just competition—it was an opportunity for team bonding and personal growth.

 “We traveled all the way to Vancouver, BC, for the competition. For many of us, it was our first time on the west coast or leaving Ontario,” Tanovic shared. “ We participated in several activities planned by CaseIT. I found walks around the harbour to be super relaxing since we don’t get that sort of view in Waterloo.”

Shafi added, “Exploring a completely different city, seeing its culture, and encountering special gems made the trip worthwhile. It was a day filled with new sights, new adventures, and memories I’ll cherish forever.”

The balance between high-stakes competition and memorable experiences made CaseIT 2025 a truly unforgettable event for the team.

A legacy of excellence at the Lazaridis School

The team’s outstanding performance at CaseIT 2025 is a testament to the calibre of students at the Lazaridis School and the institution’s commitment to experiential learning. Competitions like CaseIT not only enhance technical and strategic skills but also provide valuable opportunities to network with industry leaders and peers from top business schools worldwide.

Each team selected its own name, and this year, the Lazaridis BTM team chose 'Eunoia Consulting' for its powerful meaning in Greek: “beautiful thinking.” They felt it perfectly captured their approach to problem-solving and innovation. By fostering creativity, clarity, and collaboration, 'Eunoia Consulting' reflected their commitment to approaching challenges with a clear, open, and positive perspective.

As the team returned to ³Ô¹ÏÍø, they brought with them  a wealth of knowledge and experience as well as a renewed sense of confidence in their abilities. Their success at CaseIT 2025 reinforced the Lazaridis School’s reputation as a leader in business education and a training ground for future global business leaders.

Congratulations to Aqsa Shafi, Sergej Tanovic, Darrell Li, and Ethan Gardiner, as well as coaches Josephine McMurray and Arjunn Sivakumar, on this outstanding achievement!