A competition has been launched to help tackle the global ageing population that is bringing new problems to healthcare systems across the world.

The World Health Organization (WHO) expects the number of people aged more than 60 years-old to more than double and reach a staggering two billion by 2050, that will be 21.1 per cent of the world's population.

This will bring new challenges to global healthcare systems, with the demand for elderly care increasing significantly.

Warwick Business School’s fourth annual healthcare Case Challenge, sponsored by GE Healthcare and GE Healthcare Finnamore, will ask teams to create solutions that provides the right care, at the right time, in the right place to a specific cohort of the elderly population, with the winners pocketing £4,500.

Find out more about the MBA

It is open to MBA and postgraduate students from business schools across the globe and will be held at Warwick Business School from April 22 to 23.

“MBA students will apply their business and economic knowledge to collaborate with students of other disciplines, such as medical and engineering, to create innovative solutions in healthcare”, said Farah Abdulhadi, Director of the WBS Case Challenge.

Last year's competition saw eight teams from top business schools competing, with Manchester Business School taking away the grand prize ahead of Said Business School, who were the winners in 2014.

Last year's winners: Team Raptors from Manchester Business School 

Teams must have six postgraduate and masters students, at least three of which must be MBA students, but it has been designed to encourage the intermingling of diverse disciplines.

Ms Abdulhadi added: “This student-led event offers participants the opportunity to network with MBAs and masters students from across the globe and with a plethora of people from the healthcare industry, including academics, researchers and potential graduate employers.

“Not only was GE Healthcare pleased to take on board some of the innovations presented at the event last year, but they also offered a permanent role in their organisation to one of the participants.

Related article: The business of making healthcare work

“This competition provides an opportunity for MBA students to further explore new career avenues by solving stimulating business problems.”

To ensure a level playing field, all selected teams will be mailed a part of the case study, which will provide a background on the healthcare industry, a month before the actual event. An expert panel of judges has been tasked with selecting the best solution as presented by each team.

The deadline for submission of applications is February 22, 23:30 GMT. For more information and to apply visit the case challenge website here.