The ACCA Strategic Business Leader Inter University Challenge – Kenya 2021

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) a global professional body for accountants. ACCA Kenya organized an Inter University Strategic Business Leader (SBL) challenge to university students from any discipline. SBL is a contest that reflects the workplace and provides students with real world challenges allowing them demonstrate a blend of technical, practical and professional skills.

The 2021 ACCA Inter University Strategic Business Leader (SBL) Kenya was launched in September 2021. The Finals and Awards Presentation Ceremony was scheduled on 25^th February, 2022 at Villa Rosa Kempinski, Nairobi. Egerton University students registered for the challenge to compete against 263 teams under team name “The Incredibles” composed of:-

S/No	Name	Position
1.	Jermain Nyatta	Team Leader
2.	Bonface Muhindi	Member
3.	Cheptoo Sharon	Member
4.	Joan Wangechi	Member
5.	Patriciah Murage	Institutional Mentor
6.	Janet Waweru	ACCA Mentor

The contest had four tasks split into three stages which required the teams to play a strategic planning advisory role to an NGO. The NGO was considering expanding its remit to include long term water supply solutions, engage services of a marketing agency as well as adopt cloud and mobile technology.

As summarized in the table, submission for the first and second rounds were virtual and the third round was a live presentation by the top 11 teams

Round		Timeline	Position	Remark
One	Stage 1: Case Study and Tasks (Virtual)	12 Oct 2021 – 30 Oct 2021	18 out of 263	Qualified for Round Two
Two	Stage 2: Case Study Scenario and Tasks (Virtual)	29 Nov 2021 – 17 Dec 2021	7 out of 122	Qualified for Finals
Three	Stage 3: Stage 1 and 2 Case Study Tasks (Physical)	1 Feb 2022 – 18 Feb 2022	Emerged as First Runners Up
Live Oral		25 Feb 2022	Finals at Villa Rosa Kempinski - Nairobi

Benefits of the SBL Challenge to the Institution and Students

Having performed well and made to the finals, “The Incredibles” competed for the following top prizes and emerged first runners up.

Winning Team	1^st Runners Up	2^nd Runners Up
Laptop. Scholarship worth Kshs. 150,000/= Trophy. Certificate. Mentorship/Internship. ACCA Gift Hamper.	Smart Phone. Trophy. Certificate. Mentorship/Internship. ACCA Gift Hamper.	Smart Phone. Trophy. Certificate. Mentorship/Internship. ACCA Gift Hamper.

The students were able to interact with potential employers and stand an opportunity for internships/mentorship programs. Participating in the SBL Challenge, Egerton University will not only leverage on positive publicity but will also boost the opportunity for developing university-industry partnerships.