On Thursday, November 20, the Department of Statistical Sciences celebrated the achievements of actuarial science students in the 2025 Wawanesa x UofT in-course case competition. The event was hosted by Professor Vicki Zhang, Associate Chair of Undergraduate Studies for Actuarial Science, as part of the Professional Experience course (ACT390).
Sponsored by Wawanesa Insurance, a leading property and casualty insurer, this hybrid event once again showcased the analytical and professional talents of U of T actuarial science students. Working in teams, students developed strategies to reduce the frequency and severity of insurance claims, while also proposing ways to encourage policyholders to engage in proactive risk management. Their recommendations reflected a sophisticated understanding of industry realities. Integrating considerations of economic trends, emerging technologies, demographics, natural disasters, and the regulatory environment.
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Throughout the term, students benefited from the mentorship of senior actuaries at Wawanesa Insurance, who guided them in refining their analyses and presentations.
Special thanks to Felix Meng, Actuarial Analyst at Wawanesa Insurance, for announcing the winners and delivering thoughtful feedback on the teams’ presentations, as reflected in the judges’ evaluations.
After reviewing the teams’ proposals and presentations, the judging panel from Wawanesa commended the students for their creativity, depth of analysis, and professional communication.
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| First place was awarded to Group 7: Ophelia Choy, Ceevan Dass, Liang Yang, and Justin Li. |
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| Second place went to Group 9: Zifan Guo and Ruihao Tang. |
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| Third place was earned by Group 8: Maya Atrash, Jordan Chang, Annabelie Topas, Vanessa Vistanio, and Xingjian Zhu. |
Each team received certificates in recognition of their exceptional work. Members of the top groups were also invited to interview for 2026 internship opportunities at Wawanesa Insurance.
In her closing remarks, Professor Zhang praised all participants for their professionalism and teamwork, noting that “competitions like this offer invaluable real-world experience that strengthens our students’ readiness for actuarial careers.”
Congratulations to all students who took part in this year’s competition. Your hard work and innovation continue to uphold the excellence of U of T’s Actuarial Science program.
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