Organized by Macau Management Association (MMA), the award ceremony for the “Bank of China Trophy” Global Management Challenge (GMC) 2025 – Macao Regional Final was grandly held on January 16 at the StarWorld Hotel. The School of Business (MSB) at the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) places great importance on the competition. Several promotional and experience-sharing events were organized prior to the contest. Notably, several outstanding alumni, including past champion Gu Yilin, were invited to share valuable experiences and insights with participating teams. After over three months of dedicated preparation, the participating teams emerged successfully from the exciting competition and secured the top five places. The champion team “XY” will represent Macau in the international final this year, competing with teams from all over the world for the international championship.
Group photo of MUST winning teams with Professor Tang Huajun, Assistant Dean of MSB (first from left)
The GMC this year attracted elite participants from various sectors, with a total of 111 teams, including 107 student teams and 4 corporate and mixed teams. 8 teams entered to the final after the 1st round and 2nd round contests. The Macau final followed the rules of the international final, with teams competing for the best operational performance in the same business environment. Participants had to quickly analyze historical data, build models on-site, and formulate strategies concerning market dynamics, production procurement, human resource management, and financial decision-making.
The champion team “XY”, consisted of second-year Master of Management Studies students Huang Xinhong, Jiang Zhengyu, Zheng Junyuan, and second-year Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) student Lai Kunyang, under the guidance of Professor Li Xin. Team leader Huang Xinhong emphasized that thorough preparation and clear division of labor were essential for the smooth competition. He noted that the key to creating a gap during the competition was the acute observation and more meticulous adjustment than the opponents. He stated that, “The pressure increases rather than decreases when maintaining a lead, making it more crucial to stay calm, dissect market dynamics, and analyze the opponents’ decision-making intentions. From pricing, production capacity, recruitment to fund utilization, each phase requires timely adjustments to details based on the actual market situation, allowing strategies to iterate rapidly with the changing circumstances.”
Group photo of the champion team “XY” with the award presenters
The 1st runner-up team “AAA Professional Financial Counselor” consisted of five first-year BBA students: Li Chengze, Zhang Yugi, Huang Jie, Li Junyu, and Zhou Shengjun, under the guidance of Associate Professor Fong Hoi In. Team leader Li Chengze defined GMC a comprehensive challenge closely related to reality. Faced with continuously changing markets and competitor strategies, the team had to quickly organize information, make trade-offs, and adjust their directions within limited time. Each step tested their judgment, stress resilience, and teamwork. He expressed gratitude to his teammates for their trust and complementarity at critical moments, highlighting that this experience deeply impressed the team that “good decisions” stem from calm analysis and collaboration, which will motivate them to continue moving forward.
Group photo of the 1st runner-up team “AAA Professional Financial Counselor” with the award presenters
The 2nd runner-up team “Market Mashers” consisted of first-year Master of Applied Economics students Chen Chen, Zhu Yansong, Sheng Yin, Jiang Yu, and first-year Master of Science in Finance student Zhang Bochun, with the guidance of Assistant Professor Wang Weiyu. Team leader Chen Chen remarked after the competition, “We flexibly adjusted our strategies while facing market changes. From analysis and decision-making to execution, every step embodied everyone’s wisdom and effort. I am grateful for the dedication and trust of each teammate; it was the team’s vision that deepened our strategies and the collaboration that made our plans solid”. He believes the competition not only taught the team business strategy skills but also taught them to listen in times of disagreement and to progress together under pressure. The honor belongs to the entire team.
Group photo of the 2nd runner-up team “Market Mashers” with the award presenters
MUST students have achieved outstanding results in this competition. In addition to securing the top three places, the “BLG” team, consisted of Bai Haochen and Gao Qixin, third-year BBA students majoring in Supply Chain Management; and Liu Peiheng, a third-year student majoring in Marketing, ranked the fourth place. While the “YamChaSeemLa” team, consisted of second-year BBA students Yang Wenyu, Kang Fuzhengxi, Li Aixin; and second-year Bachelor of International Tourism Management students Jing Xiang and Luo Zhilin, placed fifth.
With over two decades of history, GMC is a globally recognized business simulation competition spanning five continents, officially certified by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD). The competition simulates scenarios of cooperation between different departments within a company and the external competition. Participants can learn how to manage and operate a listed company effectively in a virtual business environment, effectively mastering the overall operational model of the enterprise, while enhancing their understanding and awareness of corporate management. Participating teams are required to make scientific and rational decisions based on current circumstances, combining knowledge of finance, management, and operations.
(Contributed and reviewed by Professor Tang Huajun, format reviewed by Helen Kam)
