The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) today announced the Institute of Management Technology Dubai (IMT) as the winners of the IMA Student Case Competition 2014. The students from IMT Dubai walked away with the top prize of USD$ 3,000, and runner up Middlesex University, Dubai were awarded a cheque for USD$ 2,000.

Students were asked to showcase their analytical skills by solving a real life management accounting case through a project which was submitted for evaluation, with the top four teams selected to present their case study to a panel of industry experts. Entrants were judged on their ability to develop and clearly articulate an appropriate business strategy, and their suggested actions, impact and resources used.

Adolf Kabban CMA, CPA, one of the presiding judges, said: The idea behind the IMA Student Case Competition is to raise the profile of Management Accounting and give young people the chance to test out their skills on a real life business challenge, encouraging them to look beyond the numbers and think strategically as consultants and business partners adding value to the organization and its Board of Directors.

Kabban added: I think the students did a great job. It is very exciting to work with such promising talent across the region and we would like to congratulate our winning team from IMT and runners up Middlesex University, who put in a fantastic effort this year to come out top. We would also like to thank all teams who took part, making it the most competitive year yet.

Dr. Vijaya Kumar the teams mentor from Middlesex University Dubai and runner up said: We are delighted to have won second place in the IMA Student Case Competition 2014. It has been a fantastic learning experience for us all. The project really challenged us to put everything we have learnt into practice and stretch our minds even beyond this. We are delighted with the prize and look forward to participating again next year.

IMA Middle East Student Case Competition 2014 received a record number of 22 entries from across 18 different universities from across the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Bahrain. The competition was launched in 2012 with the aim to encourage the development of young talent in the finance and accounting field across the Middle East and Africa. An initiative sponsored by Ernst & Young, Morgan International, Wiley and Emerge Management Training Centre.