A small team of NC Business students secured a strong global finish when they recently put their skills to the test in Budapest.
NC’s team placed ninth overall at the Corvinus Undergraduate Business Experience (CUBE) 2025 which was held April 11-17. Their final score placed NC within the top 10 for overall points at the competition, which drew teams of undergraduate students from 16 postsecondary institutions from around the world.
“This international case competition allowed students to apply innovative problem-solving and strategic thinking to real-world business challenges alongside peers from leading universities worldwide,” said April Tyrrell, Associate Dean, NC’s School of Business and Management. “Their participation underscores the School’s commitment to experiential learning and creating opportunities to develop students’ global competencies.”
NC’s team, who competed as Nova Consulting, was comprised of four students from the School of Business and Management: David Dioszegi (second year Business Administration – Marketing), Jill Kosior (third year Business Administration – Marketing), Andrei Melnikov (fourth-year Honours Bachelor of Business Administration – International Commerce and Global Development) and Nazek Kigab (second-year Business Administration – Marketing).
“Representing Niagara College at CUBE 2025 in Budapest was an unforgettable experience. Placing ninth overall among top universities worldwide was not only a proud moment, but a true testament to the strength and synergy of our team,” said Melnikov.
For Melnikov, highlights included opportunities to work with his teammates and students from around the world, gaining firsthand insights into Hungarian culture and business practices, and improving soft skills like leadership, presentation and collaboration in high-pressure situations.
“CUBE 2025 wasn’t just a competition; it was a capstone experience. It taught us how to approach business problems with depth, empathy, and analytical rigour,” he said. “I’m walking away not only with a top-ten finish, but with professional and personal growth that will carry forward for years.”
The energy of the event was contagious from the moment they landed in Budapest, he said. Students warmed up with a pre-case on Hewlett Packard Enterprise, which pushed them to think strategically about digital transformation and customer-centric innovation.
A short case round challenged teams to present solutions for a business challenge provided by Magyar Szarazvirag Kft, a family-run Hungarian dried flower business navigating generational change.
“It was a powerful case, not just because of the business implications, but because it connected on a human level,” said Melnikov. “We had to think beyond operations and finance–into values, succession, and sustainable growth. It was rewarding to explore how business decisions can impact legacy and identity. I developed a deeper appreciation for long-term thinking and governance structures.”
The final long case focused on Hyva, a global transport solutions provider, and its green transition strategy. The students dove deep into sustainability metrics, industry trends, and ESG compliance.
“What stood out most was the focus on real-world application,” said Melnikov, who noted it was the most challenging and most rewarding case. “By the end of it, I had a much better understanding of sustainable operations and the evolving role of environmental accountability in global industries.”
For Kigab, participating in the competition was a great opportunity as her first time at CUBE. “It gave me a chance to immerse myself in a completely new business setting and explore a new culture in Budapest,” said Kigab. “It pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me the chance to grow both professionally and personally.”
Connecting with teams from around the world was one of the biggest highlights for Kigab.
“It was interesting to learn how they think, observe the differences in our cultures, and see the various presentation styles they brought to the table,” she said.
Kigab gained a boost of confidence from the experience and developed her leadership skills as she learned how to support and motivate a team under pressure.
“One of the most valuable lessons was learning how to adapt quickly and work efficiently with limited time, which has helped me become more decisive and agile in high-stakes situations,” she said. “These are skills I’ll carry forward not just in academics, but in my career and personal life as well.”
All four students on the team have had success competing at other business competitions this year, which has helped prepare them for CUBE.
In March, Kigab and Melnikov were part of a team of NC Business students who placed first at the World Trade Centre Buffalo Niagara 2025 International Case Competition, held at the University of Buffalo ( Niagara College students take top spot at international case competition).
Kosior and Dioszegi were part of a NC student team that made it to the finals at the Scotiabank Vanier College National Marketing Case Competition in Montreal, February 28-March 2.
