Inspired by a ‘game-changer’ tradition, Team York did us proud at the 2017 CAPPA/IPAC National Public Administration Case Competition hosted by Ryerson University, 17-18 February. Five gifted MPPAL students–Shovan Chakraborty, Salvatore D’Agostino, Rathsara Illangasinghe, Hannah Ross, Eric Lothman–showed how part-time students make a full-time commitment to excellence in public administration.
This sixth annual competition attracted a strong field of twelve teams from grad programs across Canada. The teams presented their review of an issue that has plagued the Government of Canada for decades and remains unresolved. The Competition Case was entitled ‘A National Political Football: The F-35 Jetfighter Procurement Program’. The blue-ribbon Judges panel named Carlton, Laval, and Simon Fraser, in that order, as the medalists for 2017.
Team York took a unique tact in its presentation by reframing the problem as policy rather than procurement. Under the banner of ‘Overcoming Jetlag’, it recommended policy review and process reform before taking action. The Team advocated “doing the right thing, the right way, for the right reasons”. For the first time, the presentations were recorded and will be posted on the IPAC website. According to Professor John Wilkins: “In my four years as Coach, this was the stiffest competition yet, as shown by dethroning of the perennial favourites. We are already strategizing how to improve and get ready for next year. We have a legacy to build upon, three team members eligible to return, and good prospects for a strong run in 2018 when Simon Fraser hosts.”
The event continues to get better. Our five MPPAL students added to York’s reputation for fun, fair play, networking, and the learning journey.