COMPETITION

A. Pre-Finals - Networking Day (Online)

• • Time: 5 days before the Finals.
• • Objectives: Connect domestic and international contestants, promote Vietnamese and UEH culture, brief evaluation criteria, and reduce pressure while enhancing engagement.
• • Main Contents: Introduce the final format, guide case study problem-solving skills, teamwork, presentation, and organize competition grouping.
• • Expected Outcomes: Build a professional multinational collaborative environment, increase contestant commitment, and set the premise for a high-quality final round reaching out to the Southeast Asian and broader Asia-Pacific region.

B. The Final Round

• • Time: From November 14, 2026, to November 15, 2026 (Saturday – Sunday)
• • Location: Hall A.116, Campus A - University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, 59C Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Xuan Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City

1. Activity 1 (Morning) - Company Tour

• • Time: 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM, November 14, 2026
• • Objective:
  • Facilitate the Top 5 teams to visit the enterprise (strategic partner)
  • Provide an opportunity for the company's leadership/management to meet, share corporate culture, and set the context for the competition case.
  • Help students build a practical foundation to approach and solve the Business Case
• • Organizational requirements: The visited enterprise must be a Strategic Partner, operate globally, have a headquarters/branch in Ho Chi Minh City, and feature the participation of regional senior leaders/managers.

2. Activity 2 (Afternoon) - The Final Showdown:

• • Time: 1:30 PM - 6:00 PM, November 14, 2026
• • Objective: The Final Round is the highest challenge of the competition to determine the Champion title – serving as a test of analytical capability, stage presence, and strategic thinking under the strictest conditions.
• • Organizational requirements: Teams analyze the business case provided by the Jury; build strategic solutions and present them before the corporate – academic judging panel through 2 stages:

Stage 1: Hand-drawn Presentation

• • Description:
  • Teams analyze the Business Case provided on-site by the Jury
  • Build strategic solutions and present them on A0 paper (hand-drawn)
• • Strict requirements:
  • No electronic communication devices of any kind are allowed;
  • No reference materials outside the case study may be brought;
  • No communication with the coach is allowed throughout the process;
  • Rely entirely on individual capacity and teamwork.
• • Materials provided to each team:
  • A0 paper (1 sheet)
  • Markers (red, blue, black)
  • Ballpoint pens + pencils
  • Ruler
  • Laptop used exclusively for offline calculations using software permitted by the Organizing Committee. Internet access for information searching is strictly prohibited.

Stage 2: Boardroom Showdown

Process for each team:

• Quick preparation (5-8 minutes): Internal team discussion, brief notes (flipchart or A3 paper).
• Boardroom Session (8-10 minutes): Short opening pitch (2 minutes): Clearly state the strategic decision to convince the Board of Directors.
• The Jury (acting as the Board of Directors, shareholders, partners) raises fierce counter-arguments and unexpected situations (e.g., “We disagree due to high risk,” “Cut 30% of the budget immediately,” “Partner XYZ has withdrawn”).
• Teams must negotiate, persuade, and adapt on the spot (no reciting from memory, natural improvisation is required).
• Conclusion: The Jury grades immediately after each team's presentation.

Activity 3: Networking Night

• • Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, November 14, 2026;
• • Objective: An exclusive gathering for the 5 teams, the organizing committees of the Future CEO competition, lecturers, corporate guests, and relevant members to create networking and follow-up opportunities for lecturers, enterprises, and contestants.
• • Organizational requirements: The gathering takes place in a relaxed atmosphere with light refreshments and free conversations, providing an opportunity for everyone to share feelings and lessons learned from the competition, while exchanging future orientations and fostering genuine connections among students, enterprises, and universities across Southeast Asia, moving towards the Asia-Pacific region in the 2027 – 2030 period.