UBC Sauder wins first-place ‘School of the Year’ title at JDC West

As the hosts of the very first JDC West business competition in 2006, UBC Sauder has a proud and storied history with this prestigious event, including multiple wins over the years, most recently in 2022. 

Founded in 2006, JDC West is Western Canada’s largest undergraduate business school competition, bringing together top students from Western Canadian universities for three intense days of case presentations, debates, athletics and challenges.  

The competition is a high-energy event designed to test participants' business acumen, teamwork, and communication skills while fostering camaraderie and school spirit. Students compete in academic categories such as finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, and even athletics, debate and challenge competitions, showcasing their versatility and determination. 
 
This year’s competition, hosted by the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary, saw 12 schools vying for the coveted title of ‘School of the Year’.
 

A win for the books  

UBC Sauder’s team stood out not just for their technical acumen, but also for their cohesion and creativity. The students’ outstanding performances across multiple categories reflect their dedication, rigorous preparation and the strength of the school’s business education. 

 
“Over the past few months, I’ve been amazed to witness the incredible growth, grit, and perseverance of our 46 competitors.” says Daniel Dian, Captain of the UBC Sauder JDC West Team. “Seeing our collective effort—from alumni to coaches to faculty—come to fruition and celebrating the success as a team has been so rewarding. UBC Sauder was the inaugural school to host this competition, and to bring the School of the Year trophy back home feels euphoric and deeply fulfilling.” 
 

Driven by students, alumni and faculty 

Beyond the months of preparation and training competitors pour into this process, Dian and the team’s seven executive members are the architects of the entire experience. Students are responsible for fundraising the substantial budget required to execute the program, liaising with their network of over 50 coaches, developing the intense training curriculum, and organizing team retreats and activities that serve as the heart and soul of Sauder JDC West’s community-focused culture. 

“I am so proud of our students for showing up and dedicating their time, effort and resources into getting this win,” says Darren Dahl, Dean at UBC Sauder. “It reflects the heart of what our school represents: student spirit, collaboration and leadership.” 

 
While the program is student-led, alumni play a crucial role in ensuring its success. These alumni volunteers bring valuable insights, sharing lessons learned from their own experiences and helping teams refine their strategies. 
 
“JDC West is a student and alumni-led initiative. From coaching to mentorship, alumni have consistently been our backbone, helping us grow and overcome challenges,” Dian says. “It’s incredible to see how they’ve built a culture of perseverance and grit that inspires us to do better every year.” 

This alumni involvement creates a unique bridge between generations of students, fostering a culture of giving back and ensuring that each cohort benefits from the wisdom and experience of those who came before them. 
 

Honing skills outside the classroom 

What sets JDC West apart is the breadth of skills students develop throughout the process. Leading a program of this scale teaches time management, teamwork, and problem-solving in ways that traditional classroom experiences simply can’t. Participants learn to handle setbacks, resolve conflicts and communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders—all while maintaining a high level of professionalism and composure. 

For Ethaniel Tan, a seasoned JDC West participant, former Captain, and now Executive Advisor, the experience of coaching offered its own unique challenges and rewards.  

“This year, I really honed my leadership skills and learned that coaching is not a one-size-fits-all approach,” Tan reflects. “It’s about guiding the team to take ownership, experiment and grow. Watching them overcome obstacles, gain confidence, and refine their strategies in the lead-up to competition day was incredibly fulfilling.” 

Their advice for students who are interested in applying to the program?  

“You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to start,” says Dian. “I was terrified in my first year, but the growth, friendships, and opportunities I’ve gained since make it all worthwhile. Don’t let the fear of the unknown hold you back.” 
 

Building on a generational community

For some members on the team, the win symbolizes the culmination of years of dedication.  

"It was truly an emotional experience—I teared up when we placed first," Tan recalls. "Seeing everyone’s effort come to fruition was incredible. This program has been part of my life for four years, and it’s amazing to witness the impact alumni and coaches have in shaping the next generation.” 

 
“Many students return year after year, stepping into new roles as mentors, coaches or even delegates once again,” says Visha Thamboo, Associate Director of Student Engagement & Development at UBC Sauder. “It has been incredible to witness the energy from the JDC West community firsthand and we’re excited to continue the competition’s legacy at UBC Sauder.” 

JDC West continues to foster a thriving community where folks from different schools have the opportunity to connect and network, and each generation builds on the successes of the last. 

UBC Sauder first place wins were in not-for-profit strategy, challenge and debate. The school also took home second place spot as ‘Academic School of the Year’.