In November, a team of four students from Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences achieved the impossible: in a highly competitive field featuring top universities from around the world, they emerged as the best consulting team.

More than a year of preparation led up to the prestigious ROCA: the Rotterdam-Carleton International Case Competition. In November 2024, teams from universities across Europe, North and South America, and Asia gathered at Kralingse Zoom—with Erasmus University, Copenhagen Business School, and Corvinus University as some of the top institutions in attendance.

For a week, teams competed in case challenges, many of which were developed by our own Case Academy, often in collaboration with the Knowledge Center for Business Innovation and our partner, Carleton University in Ottawa. The cases were all about real companies, real managers, and real-time business challenges.

The final case focused on Bolidt, a globally operating flooring company based in the Rotterdam region. The CEO himself sat on the jury, alongside industry heavyweights from companies like Heineken, and our own case alumni.

After extensive deliberations, the jury was unanimous: the home team from Rotterdam University had delivered the most innovative, practical, and implementable solution.

The joy at the closing event was immense. That night, the celebrations went on until the early hours… 🎉