By AcademyGlobal (AG) in partnership with the Institute of Strategic Risk Management (ISRM)

Monday, 04 May 2026

The 2026 APAC Strategic Risk Case Competition, co-hosted by AcademyGlobal (AG) and the Institute of Strategic Risk Management (ISRM), brought together 60 teams from 40 universities across 13 countries in the Asia Pacific region. The competition’s first APAC-wide edition culminated in a live Final Round on Monday, 20 April 2026. ASD Consulting from The University of Queensland was named champion, ahead of EEE.E from the National University of Malaysia in second place and Team Strategix from the Indian Institute of Management Jammu in third.

This year marked the first time the competition extended beyond Australia and New Zealand. Building on the success of the 2025 ANZ edition, which attracted 20 universities and more than 70 teams, the APAC edition welcomed teams from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Nepal, the Philippines, and Bangladesh. The expansion reflects the growing importance of strategic risk thinking across the region and demonstrates AcademyGlobal and ISRM’s shared commitment to developing the next generation of risk leaders.

This year’s case study introduced StraitsLogix, a fictional Singapore-headquartered logistics and port operations company at a strategic inflection point, with 8 major port terminals across Southeast Asia, logistics hubs in 14 countries, and annual revenue of USD 6.2 billion. StraitsLogix’s Board engaged participating teams as risk consultants to advise on a multi-billion-dollar transformation strategy spanning AI-enabled logistics platforms, port automation, fleet electrification, and sustainable fuel investments, supported by capital from European institutional investors.

Teams were required to deliver a strategic risk review addressing technology and transformation, cyber and data, capital allocation, workforce and social, ESG and regulatory, and competitive risks, alongside a recommended pathway and a phased implementation roadmap. The case challenged teams to navigate two converging forces reshaping global logistics – AI-driven supply chain platforms and the green transition – and to make a defensible recommendation under uncertainty against a backdrop of executive-level tensions on capital discipline, ROI, ESG compliance, and execution risk.

The competition was conducted entirely online and structured across two rounds. During Round 1, all 60 teams submitted recorded board-style presentations, which were reviewed and evaluated by a panel of senior ISRM members representing each Australian state and New Zealand. The top 10 teams progressed to a live Final Round on Monday, 20 April 2026, where they presented to an expert judging panel and responded to live Q&A.

This format was designed to test not only technical risk knowledge but also structured thinking, collaboration, and the ability to communicate under pressure, all of which are essential skills for the next generation of risk professionals operating in an increasingly global and uncertain environment.

A region-wide effort: 40 universities across 13 countries

Representing a broad cross-section of institutions across the Asia Pacific, this year’s competition showcased the rapidly growing interest in risk management and strategic thinking among university students.

Participating universities included:
Adelaide University, Auckland University of Technology, Australian National University, Bangladesh University of Professionals, Christ University, Chulalongkorn University, Delhi University, Edith Cowan University, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Management Jammu, Indian Institute of Management Technology Guwahati, James Cook University Singapore, Macquarie University, Monash University (Australia), Monash University (Malaysia), Nanyang Technological University, National Insurance Academy, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, National University of Malaysia (UKM), National University of Singapore, PIB College, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, RMIT University (Australia), RMIT University (Vietnam), Singapore Institute of Management, Technical University of Malaysia Melaka, Torrens University Australia, Tribhuvan University, Universiti Malaya, University of Dhaka, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, University of Indonesia, University of New South Wales, University of Queensland, University of Sydney, University of Technology Sydney, The University of Western Australia, University of Wollongong, Xiamen University Malaysia, and Zhejiang University.

This diversity of participants reflects the increasing recognition of strategic risk as a vital area of study and practice across disciplines, from business, finance, and supply chain to public policy, technology, engineering, and international relations.

Top 10 finalists

The following teams progressed to the Final Round, representing universities from across the APAC region:

1. Auckland University of Technology, ClearEdge
2. The Australian National University, IRIS Risk Advisory
3. The University of Queensland, ASD Consulting
4. Torrens University Australia, Meridian Risk Partners
5. Singapore Institute of Management, Viberant Consulting
6. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Sustainable Risk Advisory
7. National University of Malaysia (UKM), EEE.E
8. Politeknik Internasional Bali (PIB College), Vanguard Risk Consultancy
9. University of Economics and Law, Optimistic Shim
10. Indian Institute of Management Jammu, Team Strategix

Competition winners and prizes

The Final Round presentations highlighted a high standard of analytical rigour, professionalism, and creative thinking. The top three teams for 2026 were:

1st Place: ASD Consulting, The University of Queensland
Arya Iyer, Shengming Huang, David Chiu

2nd Place: EEE.E, National University of Malaysia (UKM)
Ethan Chow Garren, Lee Jen Sen, Kao Guo Xuan

3rd Place: Team Strategix, Indian Institute of Management Jammu
Akshay Mundhe, Himanshu Sharma, Jyotiraditya Chauhan

Each of the top three teams received a cash awards of USD$1,000, USD$500, and USD$250 respectively, along with mentoring opportunities with ISRM Fellows and Senior Members. All finalists received digital certificates and digital badges, and were publicly recognised on LinkedIn.

Acknowledging support: judges, coaches, and assessors

The success of the competition relied on a dedicated network of professionals who volunteered their time and expertise across each stage of the process.

Final Round judging panel

• Dr Gavriel Schneider F.ISRM
• Teresa Riccio-Goodwin F.ISRM, FGIA, CIA, PMIIA
• Jocelyn Cronin M.ISRM
• John Herzog M.ISRM

Coaching panel

• Alyssa Yoong
• Sarah Collins FCIPS (CS), Chartered
• Dr Rob Halsall DBA, MSc, BSc (Hons), FCIPS, Chartered
• Andrew Woo CFA, CAIA, FRM, CESGA, GAICD
• Francesca Dickson F.ISRM
• William Domanski F.ISRM, GRCP, IRMP

Round 1 assessment panel

• Dave Cohen CPL, M.ISRM, President, ISRM ANZ
• Laura Jury, Chair, ISRM NZ
• Dr Kevin J. Foster PhD, CPEng, NER, FIEAust, F.ISRM, Chair, ISRM WA
• Ronnie Faulkner, Deputy Chair, ISRM QLD
• Brett Dobbie, Chair, ISRM NSW/ACT

We also extend our sincere appreciation to Paul Vorbach, Dr David Rubens, Guy Collyer OBE F.ISRM MRi, and Marija Popadic Maksimovic for their leadership and continued support of this initiative.

Looking ahead

The expansion of the Strategic Risk Case Competition into the APAC region in 2026 has significantly enriched the experience for participants, broadening perspectives, strengthening cross-cultural collaboration, and deepening the quality of insights and solutions presented throughout the competition.

The energy, insight, and dedication shown this year reaffirm that the future of the risk profession is in excellent hands. ISRM and AcademyGlobal look forward to continuing to grow this competition, expanding its reach further across the region in the years ahead, and supporting the development of emerging professionals in strategic risk and related fields.

For those interested in future opportunities in strategic risk, leadership, procurement, and capability development, further information is available at academyglobal.com or via AcademyGlobal’s LinkedIn page. Universities and students across the Asia Pacific are warmly invited to register their teams for the next edition of the Strategic Risk Case Competition.

Frequently asked questions

What is the APAC Strategic Risk Case Competition?
The APAC Strategic Risk Case Competition is an annual online team competition for university students across the Asia Pacific region. Co-hosted by AcademyGlobal (AG) and the Institute of Strategic Risk Management (ISRM), it asks teams of three students to act as risk consultants advising the Board of a fictional company on a complex, real-world risk scenario. The competition runs over three weeks and consists of two rounds: a Round 1 video submission and a live Final Round before a panel of expert judges.

Who won the 2026 APAC Strategic Risk Case Competition?
ASD Consulting from The University of Queensland won the 2026 APAC Strategic Risk Case Competition. EEE.E from the National University of Malaysia (UKM) placed second, and Team Strategix from the Indian Institute of Management Jammu placed third.

Which countries took part in 2026?
The 2026 edition brought together 60 teams from 40 universities across 13 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Nepal, the Philippines, and Bangladesh.

What was the 2026 case study?
The 2026 case study introduced StraitsLogix, a fictional Singapore-headquartered logistics and port operations company facing two converging forces: AI disruption and the green transition. Teams advised the StraitsLogix Board on a multi-billion-dollar transformation strategy spanning AI-enabled logistics platforms, port automation, fleet electrification, and sustainable fuel investments.

What prizes did the winning teams receive?
The top three teams received cash awards of USD$1,000, USD$500, and USD$250 respectively, along with mentoring opportunities with ISRM Fellows and Senior Members. All finalists received digital certificates and digital badges, and were publicly recognised on LinkedIn.

How can students and universities participate in future editions?
Information about future editions of the Strategic Risk Case Competition is published at academyglobal.com/risk-case-competition and announced on AcademyGlobal’s LinkedIn page. Universities across the Asia Pacific are warmly invited to register their teams for the next edition of the Strategic Risk Case Competition.