Student Agribusiness Teams Experience Unique Competition As Part Of 2014 Agribusiness & Food World Forum In Cape Town

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, June 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Jointly hosted by the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA) and the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), the 2014 Agribusiness & Food World Forum in Cape Town includes seasoned professionals from across the spectrum of agribusiness.  The first of its kind on the African continent, the Forum is framed by three overarching themes – The Talent Factor, Noble Ambition of Feeding the World, and Africa Agribusiness' Age of Opportunity. 

According to IFAMA President, Thad Simons, the "Talent Factor" is one of the most exciting aspects of this global dialogue. In total, 20 teams comprised of students pursuing agribusiness careers are part of the event.  Each year, the Forum brings into focus employment opportunities for food and agribusiness students as they interact with agribusiness executives, government officials and academics. Students are able to participate in a number of activities that showcase their unique skills for potential employers as they:

• Join in the IFAMA Career Expo;
• Present research before peers and academic scholars during the Symposium; and
• Participate in the International Student Case Competition.

Simons comments: "Each year, I look forward to the Student Case Competition we host as part of the Forum. The high quality of the teams and the excitement which percolates throughout the Forum as the Competition unfolds is palpable and cuts across all sectors. In particular, I appreciate the glimpse into the diversity and capability of our emerging leaders."

The competition is in its ninth year and teams are presented with a case for which they have to develop and present a business plan on how they intend to implement the plan. This year, the challenge was to develop a plan to expand the market of a multinational alcoholic beverage into African markets and also to integrate local products and services into this plan; the teams were judged accordingly.

The competition offers a venue to discuss and evaluate global industry issues and demonstrate analytical and problem solving skills before a panel of industry executives. The winning team – from Purdue University, Indiana, USA – included David Boussios, John Tobin, Rachel Carnegie, Brian Bourquard and John Lai.  Second, third and fourth prizes were respectively awarded to Santa Clara University, California, USA, Wageningen University, Netherlands and New Holland University, Netherlands. These teams reached the final competition round from a preliminary round earlier during the Forum in which 20 teams from around the globe participated.

About the 2014 Agribusiness & Food World Forum
Jointly presented by the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA) and the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), the 2014 Agribusiness & Food World Forum will focus on Africa as a region of limitless opportunity, where agribusiness has the potential to be the engine that drives dynamic, unprecedented economic growth and development. Hosted June 15-19, 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa, the overarching framework for the forum is People Feed the World.  Interactive discussions and presentations will engage students, academic, government and business leaders and focus on the common and binding factor of the human talent and potential to achieve global nutritional security.

About IFAMA
IFAMA is an international management organization based in Washington, D.C. that brings together current and future business, academic and government leaders along with other industry stakeholders to improve the strategic focus, transparency, sustainability and responsiveness of the global food and agribusiness system. IFAMA has over 700 members in more than 50 countries, and serves as an effective worldwide networking organization, bridging the agribusiness industry, researchers, educators, government, consumer groups and non-governmental organizations.

ABOUT CCA
CCA is a nonprofit, membership-based organization promoting business and investment between the United States and the nations of Africa. CCA is the premier American organization devoted to U.S.-Africa business relations and includes members from more than 160 companies, which represent nearly 85 percent of total U.S. private sector investments in Africa. CCA's members represent a diverse pool of industries from Africa's most promising sectors, including agribusiness, capacity building, energy, finance, health, ICT, infrastructure and security.

SOURCE International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA)