2025 Alberta Deans of Business Case Competition grants Medicine Hat College students second place. Courtesy/Medicine Hat College

By Jayk Sterkenburg

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat College students place second in Alberta business competition

Mar 25, 2025 | 4:24 PM

For Medicine Hat College commerce student Malakai Bartsch, the 2025 Alberta Deans Business Case Competition expanded his sense of what’s possible as a student and future employee.

Held March 13 to 15 in Fort McMurray, the province-wide competition challenged students to develop a marketing strategy to increase ridership at the Fort McMurray Airport.

Fort McMurray International Airport passenger statistics. Courtesy/Fort McMurray International Airport

Bartsch — along with teammates Siya Gulati, a second-year business administration and marketing major, and Mason Hoimyr, a first-year accounting student — earned second place at the competition.

“The education I have been provided has taught me to think critically and walk through things step by step,” Bartsch said in a statement Tuesday.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Tours to start for potential new Mustard Seed sites, Medicine Hat official says

9h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat College students place second in Alberta business competition

Mar 25, 2025

EDUCATION

Medicine Hat education support workers get new bargaining team, mediation date confirmed

Mar 24, 2025

“Allowing me to have a more holistic understanding of problems, such as the case project.”

Bartsch added that this has resulted in benefits both academically and professionally.

During the competition, the students compete in four internal case competitions to refine and sharpen their skills under pressure.

“As a student, I feel this experience has allowed me to perform better under pressure, Bartsch said.

“While as a potential employee, I bring the same value, along with being able to think outside of the box and providing solutions that may have been overlooked.”

The MHC said the win is proof that high-quality students, education, and representation are thriving in southeast Alberta and at MHC’s School of Business and Continuing Studies.

Miranda Davies, business instructor and faculty mentor for the Case Club, reiterates the value of applied learning – an opportunity the college prides itself on providing to students.

“This is an excellent opportunity for students to work in teams, apply classroom teachings, and put it into practice,” Davies said in a statement.

“Their fear of presenting diminishes, and in this team’s case, they saw that with commitment and dedication they could earn a winning spot.”

Davies said the team has been preparing since September, meeting weekly to analyze business cases and develop strategic recommendations.

“They won because they listened to the guidance of their instructors, applied it, and put in the hard work required,” Davies said.