Comfort Onyaga, Master of Food Security student at Murdoch, participated in the Global Student Case Competition held in Spain earlier this year and was awarded second place for her innovative problem-solving skills.

Hosted by the Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IFAMA) in collaboration with the International School of Agri Management (ISAM), the competition provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their analytical and problem-solving skills on a global stage.  

This year, the theme was ‘Food Security through Innovation and Sustainability’. 

Miss Onyaga was excited to be selected to represent Murdoch University and said the competition was a great learning opportunity that has helped her explore more opportunities to achieve her career goals. 

“As an international student studying for a Master of Food Security – with some years of field experience – I have always cultivated and nurtured my interest in contributing to solving the global food security crisis,” she said. 

“Joining the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association in January and participating in the Global Student Case Competition in June has given me the perfect platform to express my skills.”

The competition required Comfort to collaborate with peers from diverse backgrounds during the intensive preparations required for the different rounds of the competition, which enabled her to apply her problem-solving and critical-thinking skills while navigating the complexities of group dynamics. 

“This was a moment of growth and presented a new learning curve for me.” 

The event also provided her with a mix of emotions and experiences.  

“Standing before the entire congress to present I felt a mix of nerves and excitement, considering this was my first experience in a global competition. And, securing the second place position felt surreal and fulfilling."

Comfort’s decision to participate stemmed from her time studying the unit Challenges in Food Security at Murdoch University. 

“My Unit Coordinator, Associate Professor Kirsty Bayliss, shared some resources in class with links to opportunities for students to pitch innovative solutions at the World Food Forum.  

“I decided to explore these, as they align with my career goals, and I am looking forward to participating in the World Food Forum Youth Assembly flagship event as a delegate.” 

The World Food Forum Youth Assembly flagship event starts today (14 October) and runs until 18 October. The World Food Forum launched in 2021 as an independent network of partners hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). It serves as the premier global platform to actively shape agrifood systems for a better food future, accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).