Introduction
The University Cancer Case Competition (UCCC) is an interdisciplinary case competition for Australian university students with an exclusive focus on cancer. Each year, the UCCC presents a real-world problem in the cancer space. University students are asked to work in teams to generate specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely solutions to the case problem, and submit their solution in the form of a preliminary deliverable. Deliverables are subject to a round of screening, with the 5 top-ranked teams given an opportunity to present their solution to a panel of judges consisting of a public health physician, a researcher, a clinician, and a patient. The top 3 teams, as selected by the judges, will be awarded a monetary prize, with the first place winners also receiving an exclusive research internship offer at a relevant public health institution.
As an organisation founded by university students, we at YACI understand that university students often have remarkably innovative ideas on how they can change the world for the better, but lack the resources to be able to put these ideas into practice. We at YACI place high value on the thought leadership of students, and seek through UCCC to create a platform for students to convert thought to action, and empower them to effect real and meaningful change outside of the lecture theatre.
The theme for 2021 is HPV vaccine uptake among First Nations Adolescents and the strategies that can be employed to improve HPV vaccine uptake.
Program
The case competition will be open to all students studying in any course at any Australian university. At YACI, we believe that the solution to the problem of cancer requires input not only from doctors and scientists, but also professionals from every discipline, including politicians, economists, and engineers, and strongly encourage students from other faculties to join the discussion and become part of the solution. The timeline for 2021 is as follows:
Mon 2nd Aug 2021 (9:00am): Registrations open. Early bird registrations open until Monday 16th August (11:59pm).
Wed 11th Aug 2021 (9:00am): UCCC case file and guideline documents released. UCCC submissions open.
Mon 16th Aug 2021 (5:30pm): Workshop 1 – Problem-solving
Thurs 19th Aug 2021 (5:30pm): UCCC Information Night (online)
Mon 23rd Aug 2021 (5:30pm): Workshop 2 – Basic biology of cancer
Wed 25th Aug 2021(5:30pm): Workshop 3 – Slide making
Fri 27th Aug 2021 (11:59pm): Registrations close.
Sun 5th Sept 2021 (4:59pm): Submissions close.
Thurs 16th Sept 2021: Finalists announced.
Thurs 23rd Sept 2021 (5:30pm): UCCC Finalist Night.
*Please note all times are in AEST.
Who can apply?
All students currently enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate university course are eligible to apply. Please note that this excludes PhD students. Students must form teams of 2-4 members. Individual students may still apply and be randomly allocated into a team by the UCCC staff.
Please note that even though UCCC is a cancer-focused case competition, we highly encourage students to form interdisciplinary teams so as to present a most well-rounded and holistic solution to the issue.
Students from interstate and overseas are most welcome to apply, but please note that UCCC will not be responsible for covering any associated travel or accommodation expenses.
How to apply?
You can apply to participate in UCCC 2021 here: https://www.trybooking.com/BSQXQ
Early bird registration (closing Monday 16th August) : $2 per person
Standard registration (closing Friday 27th August): $5 per person
If you already have formed a team: Great! Book your tickets now! Please note that we will only accept one booking per team, thus please assign one team member to register the whole team.
(For example, if you are in a team of 3, please assign 1 team member to purchase 3 tickets by typing ‘3’ under ‘Quantity’)
If you are individual looking for a team: Don’t worry! Book your ticket now and we will randomly allocate you into a team as soon as possible.
Case File and Guidelines
The 2021 UCCC Case file and guidelines have been released! So you can get started on your proposal
How do we submit our preliminary deliverable?
PowerPoint Presentation and Overview report submissions are to be uploaded to the Google Drive by Sun 5th September (4.59pm). Please refer to the guidelines for further details.
UCCC Information Night
The 2021 UCCC Information Night will be held online via zoom with presentations from each of the 4 guest speakers. These will also be uploaded to YouTube and shared on YACI social media platforms after the event.
Date: Thursday 19th of August 2021 5:30pm
Location: ONLINE via Zoom. The zoom link will be provided once you have purchased a free ticket using this Trybooking link https://www.trybooking.com/BSQXL
Who can come?
This event is open to anyone in the general public interested in cancer survivorship, but will be especially beneficial and advantageous for all UCCC registrants and those considering registration to attend.
Why should I come?
- Gain knowledge and deepen your understanding of HPV vaccine course completion amongst First Nations Adolescents
- Receive valuable tips and learn the keys to success from last year’s case competition winners.
- Receive the opportunity to ask the guest speaker panel and the UCCC team any questions you may have regarding HPV vaccination, Indigenous Health and Wellbeing the case file and UCCC.
UCCC Workshops
This year we have a new addition to the UCCC calendar – a series of 3 workshops!
Register here for all 3 workshops:
Workshop 1: Problem Solving
Not sure how to tackle the case problem? Come along to our PROBLEM SOLVING workshop where Paige Enright from Nous will teach you how to unpack any problem!
Paige is a consultant with a background in health sciences. Her electric skillset, developed from working in clinical health services delivery has informed her pragmatic and rounded approach to problem-solving. With her skillset and experience, you will receive invaluable insights into how any problem should be approached and unpacked. By the end of the workshop, you will master the skill to problem-solve and set the cornerstone of your path to success in the upcoming UCCC.
Workshop 2: Slide making
Got a fantastic idea for your proposal but not sure how to present it? Come along to our slide making workshop hosted by Hasini, Jo and Cherry from 180 consulting!
This epic line-up of convenors will teach you how to make the biggest impact in your UCCC preliminary deliverable. No matter what level you are at, you are guaranteed to pick up some tips and tricks to produce the most powerful and impressive slides for this competition.
Workshop 3: Basics of Cancer
Still confused how cancer occurs? Come along to our BASICS OF CANCER workshop where esteemed tutors from YACI’s High School Masterclass Program will give you a comprehensive overview of cancer biology!
This workshop will gear you up in biology and cancer literacy, which will help you work through the case file and design an innovative solution.
UCCC Finalist Night
Date: Thursday 23rd of September 2021 | 5:30-7:30PM AEST
Tickets: FREE event
Location: Zoom. The event link will be posted closer to the date.
Who can come?
This event is open to the general public and will be held via zoom. Friends and families of the finalists are most welcome to attend, and it is highly recommended that all UCCC non-finalist registrants attend too.
Why should I come?
- Support the top 5 finalist teams, who will present their proposal to an esteemed panel of judges on the night.
- Personally observe and experience a cancer case competition, the first of its kind in Australia!
- Learn from your peers and gain knowledge on what makes a successful case competition proposal. This will be highly beneficial in preparing for subsequent UCCC cases.
Prizes:
- 1st prize: $1000 and a summer research internship at the Australian National University
- 2nd prize: $500
- 3rd prize: $100
FAQ
I am not studying a science (or related) course and have no science background. Am I still eligible to apply?
Yes, of course! UCCC does not assume any advanced science background of its registrants. While a science background is certainly relevant, we encourage students to form interdisciplinary teams in order to present the most well-rounded and holistic solution possible. We also highly recommend attendance to our UCCC Information Session to obtain a better understanding of cancer survivorship care.
I am not studying at a Victorian university. Am I still eligible to apply?
Yes, of course! Students from interstate and overseas are most welcome to apply, especially since this year UCCC is being held online.
Help! I don’t have a team but I’m keen to participate!
Don’t worry! Book a ticket for yourself now and the UCCC team will randomly allocate you into a team as soon as possible.
Help! We’ve already registered but have a friend who wants to join our group/ I want to join my friends group!
Awesome – the more the merrier! Please do the following:
a. already registered group: email us at uccc@yaci.org.au with your friend’s full name to confirm the addition of a team member, and ask your friend to register
b. wanting to register: register as an individual and send us an email confirming you want to be placed in your friend’s group. Please provide all the team member’s names.
I want to participate but registrations are now closed. What do I do?
If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us at uccc@yaci.org.au.