BCom students shine at 2025 BFI Case Jam
By Nicole Liu, Ayden Kwok, Harry Lin and Jolyn Lau
Bachelor of Commerce students Ayden Kwok, Harry Lin, Jolyn Lau, and Nicole Liu travelled to Singapore in August 2025 to represent the University of Melbourne at Singapore Management University’s Business Family Institute (BFI) Case Jam Competition.
The BFI Case Jam is an exciting international competition where students from across Asia team up with students from different backgrounds to solve real-world challenges faced by family businesses. Before heading to Singapore, we completed a practice case in Melbourne to build our foundational skills.
We were ecstatic to be selected to represent the University of Melbourne at the 2025 Competition. Although we had no prior case competition experience and weren’t sure what challenges lay ahead, we were excited to push ourselves beyond our comfort zones and embrace the opportunity.
Trials and tribulations
Over five intensive hours, students from different universities came together in randomly assigned teams to tackle a complex business case. Unlike traditional competitions where teams are already established, this format required us to quickly build rapport with strangers, navigate cultural differences, and adapt to unfamiliar working styles. Despite our varied backgrounds and experience, we were able to collaborate effectively, leverage each other's strengths, and deliver innovative solutions that impressed the judges.
The competition was a dynamic and energising experience.
In just five hours, the newly formed teams tackled a challenging business case. Unlike traditional formats, this one encouraged us to step out of our comfort zones—building connections quickly, embracing diverse perspectives, and adapting to new ways of working. The atmosphere was collaborative and inspiring. Despite our different backgrounds and levels of experience, we united around a shared goal, turning initial uncertainty into creativity. The result? Bold, innovative solutions that truly impressed the judges.
Triumph and takeaways
The experience at Singapore Management University was transformative. We learned from our teammates, engaged with industry mentors, and gained insights from the finalist presentations. Each moment pushed us to think critically, collaborate effectively evaluate options and tie everything back to the case question.
Despite the competition being fierce and the environment intense, we adapted quickly and our efforts paid off. We received the 'Second Best Performing Guest University' prize, and Nicole’s team claimed the top spot, winning the 2025 BFI Case Jam!
Awards and triumphs aside, we formed lasting connections and friendships with talented peers from around the world. The competition helped us grow personally and professionally and created unforgettable memories that enriched our university experience.
Outside the competition, we explored Singapore’s rich culture and visited Gardens by the Bay, Haji Lane, and sampled local cuisine at hawker centres. These experiences deepened our appreciation for the city’s diversity and added a personal dimension to our journey.
Advice to future participants
One of the best ways to make the most of your university experience is by taking part in international opportunities and the BFI Case Jam is a perfect example. It offers an invaluable learning experience that is not only challenging but also beginner-friendly, helping you strengthen key professional skills that will carry you far into the future.
Opportunities like this are rare, even among regular case competitions, so we highly encourage you to apply for future BFI Case Jam teams and take the next step in your personal and professional growth.