Over 600 University of New Brunswick Alumni are part of the team at J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI). We proudly partner with UNB on research projects, scholarships, co-op opportunities for students, guest speaking, career fairs, and hiring new graduates. Another great side to our partnership: Direct Exchange Case Competitions. 

At the Direct Exchange Case Competition, teams of 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 their thorough content, presentation skills, and responses to specific questions posed by the judges. 

Four teams from UNB Fredericton and UNB Saint John presented their recommendations to JDI Finance Leaders.

Students express that cases are not a typical end-of-term project; “I’ve gained accounting knowledge through this case competition and it has certainly helped to sharpen my communication skills,” said Jessica Truong, third-year accounting student at University of New Brunswick and member of the winning team. “Not only do cases give us an opportunity to explore in-depth accounting techniques, it’s also a way to showcase our skills to executives.”

Dr. Joseph Abekah, Professor of Accounting at UNB said there is more to be gained during a case than accounting knowledge, “Case Competitions are a wonderful opportunity for students to draw on knowledge from other business classes. Cases bring together the totality of students’ knowledge in business. It’s outside the textbook learning.”

“I am thrilled to be back at UNB today as I am a proud alumni,” said Lacey Nicholson, Leader of Accounting and Reporting, J.D. Irving, Limited. Lacey wrote the case, served as one of the judges, and provided feedback to students. “I know UNB has a great Finance and Accounting Program. I love seeing all the bright minds present their learning and how they’ve applied them to a real life case.”

Winning Team presented with prize at the JDI Finance Case Competition for UNB students.

Over the past nine years, JDI has sponsored IT, Finance, Supply Chain, and Marketing case study competitions at several post-secondary institutions. 

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 3,900 talented students have participated in JDI-led case competitions. 

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