Introducing the Mondelēz International Leading Edge Business Challenge. It’s an opportunity for graduate and postgraduate university students across Southeast Asia to learn design thinking and apply it creatively to solve a ‘live’ business challenge in small teams. These teams will have direct, practical learning sessions with senior business leaders during the business challenge competition, which runs from mid-April to June 2021.

“We’re offering students the chance to learn a new skill – design thinking – that we consider an essential skill for the future. In the Mondelēz International Leading Edge Business Challenge, they will apply this learning as they explore the fast-growing snacks category in Southeast Asia and solve a current business issue,” said Shiela Pangilinan, People Lead for Mondelez Philippines.

“Consumers increasingly expect more from our much-loved brands such as OREO cookies, Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate, Cosy biscuits, Tang powdered beverage, Halls candy, and Kinh Do mooncakes. Our brands must keep pace with trends and consumers’ evolving needs. This challenge creates an opportunity for students to come up with ideas that support sustainable business growth,” explains Pangilinan.

The Mondelēz International Leading Edge Business Challenge is open to top-calibre graduate and postgraduate students in Southeast Asia. They will compete in teams of three to four members from the same university to respond to live business challenges. Teams will take part in design thinking learning labs, have access to senior business leaders, the opportunity to win cash prizes and share their ideas through country and Southeast Asia region “showdowns”. The winners of the Southeast Asia Showdown can be fast-tracked into Mondelēz International’s early careers programs – either to final interview in the Edge Stars program or with a final offer in the Edge Sparks program.

“This is a great opportunity for students to use their natural curiosity, growth mindset, fresh thinking and openness to experiment. It also enables us to shape the talent of the future further, by providing learning labs, access to new skills and coaching in a business environment. And the winning solutions could create a big and real impact for Mondelēz International through the challenge,” said Pangilinan.

Interested university students can find out more at Mondelēz International Leading Edge Business Challenge. Registrations close on 16 April 2021.