UNF represented by two teams in the finals of the Innovate with AI competition
Following a stellar performance with her University of Niagara Falls Canada peers at the 2025 DeGroote Business Case Competition, Edith Agbons Igiewe secured first place in the event’s Lectura Speech Competition.
It was a proud moment for the Master of Management student. As someone who loves a good challenge, she knew the opportunity to participate in the prestigious event was one she couldn’t pass up.
Part of the broader DeGroote Business Case Competition, which ran from Nov. 21 to 23 at McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business, the Lectura Speech Competition focuses on presentation excellence and effective communication.
Reflecting on the accomplishment, Igiewe noted, “Participating in this competition taught me the importance of always being ready.”
She added that the experience reinforced how essential it is to communicate with confidence in any setting. “You never know who you’re going to meet or when you’ll need to sell an idea. Feeling confident and being prepared to deliver a presentation at any moment makes all the difference,” she said.
In addition to the individual competition, Igiewe competed alongside fellow UNF students in an intensive three-day team-based competition that challenged participants to analyze complex business cases and deliver strategic recommendations under tight timelines. Working as a team required adaptability, collaboration, and the ability to refine ideas quickly, skills Igiewe says were critical to their strong performance.
"This is a monumental win for UNF," said Sathy Srithar, Associate Dean of the Master of Management program. "It not only underscores the quality of our program, but it also proves our students' ability to connect confidently with any audience and think on their feet."
Looking ahead, Igiewe hopes tobuild on the practical skills and confidence gained through the competition as she works toward her goal of running her own marketing firm.
When asked what advice she would give to other students interested in competing in similar events, Igiewe’s message was clear: “Go for it. These competitions teach you so much and give you the chance to really put your skills to the test.”
Using advanced technology such as sensors and cameras, Lectura evaluates speakers on key performance metrics including eye contact, body language, posture, gestures, vocal delivery, use of filler words, and content accuracy. Igiewe’s first-place finish highlighted her ability to combine strong business insight with compelling storytelling.
The DeGroote Business Case Competition is a national MBA-level competition that brings together students from business schools across Canada. Participants compete in three case formats: a 10-day long case, a six-hour case, and a three-hour case. Participating schools in the 2025 competition include the University of Alberta, University of Manitoba, Thompson Rivers University, McMaster University, University of Guelph, International Business University, Concordia University, Saint Mary’s University, Toronto Metropolitan University, and University of Niagara Falls Canada.
