Students engage with external stakeholders and develop innovative strategies to address an authentic, real-world challenge focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainability. 

The student journey and outcome 

Deakin undergraduate students are set to showcase their business skills at the 2018 Deakin Bowater Business Challenge (DBBC) final presentation on 11 September.

Now in its 10th year, the 2018 DBBC is organised by Deakin Business School and the Deakin Commerce Society and proudly sponsored by the Bowater Trust and Prestige Jayco. 

Previously known as the Deakin Think Tank Challenge, the DBBC offers students the opportunity to develop their problem-solving skills, graduate employability and industry networks with a real-world business challenge.

Students from any business discipline (in second year of above) register in teams of four and compete in a preliminary round for final round selection.

This year’s DBBC requires the student teams to examine a specially-selected industry and then provide a researched view of the organisation’s future for the next decade.   

In the 13 August preliminary round, the teams demonstrated their innovation and problem-solving skills before four teams were selected as finalists.

The finalist teams then attended a workshop and detailed briefing session with Deakin academics before undertaking an industry site visit which included a workshop and briefing session.

Based on their initial research and analysis of the industry challenge, each of the four finalist teams will now deliver a final presentation to the DBBC judging panel – which is made up of Deakin University, industry and community representatives – at the Melbourne Burwood Campus on Tuesday, 11 September 2018 at 6pm.