A GROUP of students from the Virata School of Business of the University of the Philippines Diliman was declared the first grad champion of the 2021 Institute of Management Accountants Student Case Competition Global Finals.

The UP-VSB Fighting Balloons composed of Nicole Chelsey Pua, Clarizze Faye Mondoy, Von Salosagcol, Isaiah Inocencio, and Jamila Domingo beat teams from India and Romania.

“The team analyzed the business case of a hypothetical Indian textile wholesaler, and presented their management case analysis, recommendations, and plans,” UPD said.

The team was coached by Prof. Mikhael Anjelu Magana.

Last May, UP students defeated the team from Thammasat University of Thailand and two teams from the National University of Singapore in the regional finals, earning them the right to represent the Asia Pacific region in the global finals.

UP said each member of the team received a Certified Management Accountant Scholarship administered by the IMA. They will also get the chance to participate in the Team Mentorship Program with an IMA Chapter.

The IMA Asia-Pacific Student Case Competition aims to help students develop and strengthen their financial and accounting skills.

The competition focuses on topical accounting and finance problems which encourage students to apply their technical and theoretical skills in a practical setting.