Last week, a team of four final-year classmates, Mia Ham, Thomas Kirby, Tariq De Klerk, and Johann Wahl had the privilege to participate in the inaugural IPMA-SA Project Management Championship (PMC). IPMA, the International Project Management Association based in Switzerland, hosts these championships globally, and this year marked South Africa’s first participation.

The competition began in September with 14 teams from UCT and Stellenbosch University writing an exam in the first round. The top six teams advanced to the finals, held on Friday at the DHL Stadium during the IPMA-SA Hope Summit. One team withdrew, leaving two Stellenbosch teams and three from UCT to battle it out.

For the final challenge, teams were given three hours to develop a project plan and present it in a 15-minute pitch to the judges. The scenario? Designing a strategy for managing Cape Town’s emergency response to the Covid-19 pandemic as if it were January 2020.

“Our team, “Risky Business”, earned the highest score and won the championship, with the other Stellenbosch team, Civil Engineering third-years taking second place. This victory means we may be invited to represent South Africa at the International Championship in Japan next year, pending sponsorship and logistics.”

The awards were presented during the national IPMA Awards evening, capping off an inspiring event that showcased the power of collaboration and strategic thinking.