Faculty of Management Sciences holds 2-Day Case Method Workshop

The Faculty of Management Sciences (FMS), University of Lagos (UNILAG) has concluded a 2-day insightful workshop on Case Teaching and Writing Skills.

Th training session was held from Wednesday, April 17 to Thursday, April 18, 2024 at the FMS New Building, UNILAG.

Facilitated by Dr. Jubril A. Salaudeen, a consultant, faculty-member at Nungu Business School, and adjunct faculty at the Lagos Business School, the workshop had in attendance lecturers drawn from all departments in the Faculty.

The Dean of Faculty, Prof. A. A. Sulaimon who welcomed participants disclosed that the workshop was in fulfilment of one of his administration’s mandate to regularly hold trainings and workshops for staff of the Faculty.

He described the workshop as a train-the-trainers machinery to equip participants who would train other members of faculty.

In his presentation, Dr. Salaudeen explained that Case Method is a practical way of learning business, financial and managerial skills.

According to him, this is achieved through discussion of real-life situations which business executives have faced.

Dr. Salaudeen discussed the uses of cases and ways lecturers can use cases to help students. He mentioned that cases help sharpen the analytical skills, problem-solving skills and professional sense of management of students, among others.

The renowned academic challenged participants to take advantage of the things happening around the society and develop cases out of them.

His words, “what keeps certain fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) in the market? Why have some goods fizzled out? What has kept certain organisations through many generations? And why did some die out?”

He suggested that this method of learning be used to teach senior level undergraduate classes and postgraduate classes, adding that case method can be utilized within 5 to 45 minutes in a class.

While dishing out useful advice on ways to handle students and drive conversations, Dr. Salaudeen stressed that with case method there is no right or wrong answer as viable answers would sprout up during discussions due to diversity of opinions and thought patterns.

At the end of the session, participants were divided into three (3) groups where they dissected cases, and details provided. Thereafter, a member selected from each group facilitated general discussions on the cases in question. Discussions centered on the protagonist, issues, analyses, actions and implications per case. The breakout session demonstrated the diversity of thoughts expected among humans.

On the second (2^nd) day, participants engaged in practical sessions, and were taught the techniques of writing cases.

At the end of the workshop, lecturers of the Faculty developed a clearer understanding of the case method, learnt ways to plan and execute a case planning session, as well as facilitate learning using the case method.