Deakin Bowater Business Challenge

Are you a current Deakin undergraduate student? Do you want to develop your problem solving skills, graduate employability and industry networks?

Deakin Business School and the Deakin Commerce Society are excited to present the Deakin Bowater Business Challenge (DBBC). The event is proudly sponsored by the Bowater Trust and a leading industry partner.

What is it?

The DBBC is a fun and exciting competition open to all Deakin undergraduate students. Working in teams of four, students will undertake research and develop a presentation on the future of a selected industry. This year, the Bowater Business Challenge takes “Solutions to the demand for agribusiness skills in South-West Victoria” as its theme.

This competition is a great opportunity to develop your problem solving skills, graduate employability and industry networks. And who knows, you might even impress a potential employer!

How does it work?

Registered teams will compete in a preliminary round on Tuesday 13 August 2019 to demonstrate their innovation and problem-solving skills. Based on their own initial research and analysis of the industry challenge issued, each team will be required to present a 10 minute oral presentation to a judging panel. The presentation will focus specifically on the approach to be taken in addressing the challenge posed.

Four successful teams will be chosen and will be required to participate in a two-day program hosted in Deakin Warrnambool on the 15th & 16th August 2019. The two-day program is aimed at improving the participating teams’ understanding of current skill and labour supply issues in the region so they can propose solutions to the demand for agribusiness skills in South-West Victoria.

The program will include presentations by key agribusiness stakeholders in the region, as well as site visits to increase understanding of the industry.

Transport and accommodation will be provided. Please note that the two-day program is mandatory for the successful finalists.

The DBBC Challenge Final will be held in early September. The four teams will present to a judging panel and audiences made up of Deakin University, industry and community representatives.

Cash prizes are available to winning teams!

How can you participate?

To be eligible, you must be an undergraduate student enrolled at Deakin University's Faculty of Business and Law in Trimester 2, 2019. You should ideally be towards the end of your second year or later.

Each team must have four members. As the competition is open to all Deakin undergraduate students, we encourage you to have a diverse team made up of different courses, majors and backgrounds. Students may also apply individually and will be formed into teams by the organisers.

Need more information?

If you have any enquiries in relation to the challenge please email bl-se@deakin.edu.au.

How to apply?

Applications are now closed.

Important dates