Financial case competition goes international

The grand finale of the financial case competition, Blueprints 5.0, drew to conclusion on December 23, 2019. Organised by North South University (NSU) Finance Club for the fifth successive time, Blueprints 5.0 had a total of 324 national teams participating from 22 esteemed national universities, and a total of 27 international teams from 11 esteemed universities of India and Malaysia.

Blueprints is a platform for the undergraduate students around, where they explore their academic expertise in order to excel in cases related to Finance, Economics, Business Operations and Marketing. The successful collaboration with renowned organisations and brands such as Burger King, Eastern Bank Limited, Quality Integrated Agro, Mobile Outfitters, Youth Opportunities and Indigo Airlines helped this year's organising with case studies, data, resources and guidance.

Blueprints 5.0 commenced prosperously on December 06 with the first workshop and first round underway. Due to the roadshows conducted in 17 national universities, for example BRAC University, East West University, SUST etc., by the members of NSU Finance Club; proper promotions of Blueprints 5.0 ensured a lot of teams and participants. The challenging first round led to the top 36 teams of the country to advance to the semifinal round, where they had to demonstrate their brilliant presentations in NSU premises. Adding to this semifinal round, an international round had been taking place for all the international teams. Praiseworthy solutions and efforts led to the six best teams of the country, and one meritorious team from the international arena, to compete in the daunting final round of Blueprints 5.0. The final round required utmost financial dexterity and superior business knowledge.

The grand finale of Blueprints 5.0 was held at the plaza arena of NSU premises. 'Grey Matters' of Faculty of Business  Studies (FBS), University of Dhaka, emerged the champions of Blueprints 5.0 after thorough proficiency. 'Kacchi without Elachi' of Bangladesh University of Professionals and 'Standard Deviation' from North South University achieved the commendable first and second runner-up positions respectively. The champion, first runner-up and second runner-up were awarded prize money of Tk 200,000, Tk 100,000 and Tk 50,000 respectively. The grand finale was made special by the presence of the chief guest Golam Dastagir Gazi, Bir Protik, MP, minister, Ministry of Jute and Textiles, along with respected special guest, freedom fighter Lion Benajir Ahmed, chairman, board of trustees, North South University. NSU Vice-chancellor Professor Atiqul Islam and Pro Vice-chancellor Professor M Ismail Hossain also were present. Deans of different schools, directors of various departments, department heads, senior officials, teachers, delegates and numerous students were also present during the grand finale ceremony.

NSU Finance Club has successfully organised national and intra competitions and informative seminars and programmes in the past since its inception in 2014, and they are grateful to acknowledge that Blueprints 5.0 triumphed in the same fashion with its incredible stature.

The writer is currently studying BBA at North South University (NSU). He can be reached at [email protected]