Deakin Business School team successful at CaseIT competition in Canada
In February 2025, the Deakin Business School CaseIT undergraduate team, Isaac Tymms, Damian Chenoweth, Olivia Nguyen and Jasmine Peart, mentored by Professor Rens Scheepers, competed against the world’s top business schools at CaseIT 2025. Hosted by SFU Beedie School of Business in Vancouver, Canada, CaseIT aims to foster innovation amongst generations of business and technology student leaders by facilitating powerful networking and learning opportunities.
Competing over six intensive days of case preparation, presentation and networking, the Deakin team won their 24-hour case, progressing to the final round where they secured 5th place overall. Online student Jasmine Peart, won the Best Speaker Award, out of a pool of almost 50 competitors. The team is immensely appreciative of the opportunity to compete, and the funding from Deakin Business School, which enabled an amazing learning experience beyond the classroom.
Deakin team members reflections from Canada
Jasmine Peart, an online Perth based student, praised Deakin for enabling online students to ‘have access to the same development programs as those who attend on campus. I cannot speak highly enough about Deakin. I was able to complete my training prior to the competition, online with the team and met the team formally at the airport!’ Reflecting on her Best Speaker Award, Jasmine said, ‘Winning this award has boosted my confidence in the skills I have learnt throughout my Bachelor of Commerce.’
Remarking on the skills he gained during his course and their impact on the competition, Damian Chenoweth shared how what he has learned so far in his course shaped his ‘ability to perform at such a high level, from managing complex problems to presenting under pressure. While we didn’t take home the grand prize, the experience pushed me to grow both personally and professionally, leaving me with a deeper sense of confidence in my future career path.’ For Damian, the competition provided three valuable experiences including:
- Collaborative Problem Solving: The competition reinforced the power of teamwork, highlighting how diverse skills and perspectives can drive innovative solutions.
- Resilience Under Pressure: The intense, time-sensitive nature of the competition helped me develop the ability to remain calm and focused, even under pressure.
- Global Networking: Building relationships with peers and professionals from around the world has expanded my professional network and broadened my career opportunities.
The Deakin Team (L-R)- Isaac Tymms, Damian Chenoweth, Prof Rens Scheepers, Olivia Nguyen and Jasmine Peart
CaseIT 2025 provided Isaac Tymms an exceptional opportunity to enhance his skills in MIS and business strategy. ‘The rigorous format pushed me to think critically and work efficiently under pressure. The exposure to industry professionals provided invaluable insights into real-world business challenges.’
Olivia Nguyen highlighted the intense nature of the competition’s core challenges and networking opportunities. ‘Winning our division in the 24-hour case and advancing to the final round was a proud moment. Beyond the competition, the networking opportunities with industry leaders and peers from around the world were invaluable.’
Mentoring
Professor Rens Scheepers, team mentor in 2024 and 2025, acknowledged the exceptional talent and dedication of our students and highlighted that the networking opportunity was valuable not only for students but also for all academic mentors involved. It allowed them to come together, share ideas, discuss their research, and consider future collaborations.
“It was an absolute pleasure to mentor our CaseIT 2025 team, with whom I travelled to Canada to compete in this prestigious challenge. The competition not only showcased our students and their exceptional skills but also underscored the power of teamwork and resilience under pressure. Knowing the challenge ahead, we surpassed last year’s performance and even outperformed some top US business schools. I’m already looking forward to next year!”
CaseIT 2026
The Peer Support and Transition (PST) team (Alison Cossey, Faisal Mohammad and Xin Weng), who facilitated the trip and selection process alongside the academic panel of Professor Rens Scheepers, Dr. Ha Vu, and Dr. Quan Vu, are excited to promote and secure the 2026 team later this year! If you are interested, please contact our Business and Law PST team at bl-se@deakin.edu.au
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