HALIFAX: J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) has partnered with Dalhousie University to give students an opportunity to solve a real-life business case. 

Over the past eight years, JDI has sponsored IT, Finance, Supply Chain, and Marketing case study competitions. Our eight university partners include: Acadia University, Dalhousie University, Saint Mary’s University, Université de Moncton, Mount Allison University, Saint Francis Xavier University, and the University of New Brunswick (both Fredericton and Saint John Campuses). To date, over 3,800 talented students have participated. 

“The JDI Accounting Case Competition gives our students the opportunity to showcase their skills in the context of real business issues,” says Dr. Jenny Zhang, Associate Accounting Professor at Dalhousie’s Rowe School of Business. “It also allows our business community to witness high-quality students coming out of the Dalhousie Commerce Program.”

At the Direct Exchange Case Competition, teams of three to four students are presented with a real-life scenario at JDI, including the relevant data and conditions that a JDI manager was facing at the time.  After research and analysis, the teams each suggest a solution, complete with the logic to support their decision.  Teams are judged based on content completeness, presentation skills, and responses to specific questions posed by the judges. 

Four teams participated in this year’s Case Competition at Dalhousie University.

The Direct Exchange Case Competition is an excellent learning tool, giving students an experience they would not otherwise get in class.

“We are going to see cases just like this once we join the workforce, and being able to manage our time wisely and work together to provide the best alternatives was really what we learned,” said Mathew Jackson, member of this year’s winning team.

“The JDI Finance Case Competition provides us a fantastic opportunity to see in-action some of the top talent from universities across the Maritimes. Our most recent competition at Dalhousie saw excellent presentations on the part of all four teams who participated; a testament to the caliber of the students and professors at Dalhousie, as well as their business program,” says Kent Legge, Vice President of Finance at J.D. Irving, Limited. “Congrats to all who took part!”

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