More than 50 students from UBC Okanagan’s Faculty of Management had impressive performances at the largest student-run business competition in Western Canada, held January 15 to 18 in Prince George.
The competition — Jeux du Commerce JDC West — saw more than 500 students from 10 of Western Canada’s top universities participating in three days of academic competitions, athletic challenges, a social competition and a charity initiative.
“Our students performed beyond our expectations,” says Sandy Hilton, a professor in the Faculty of Management. “This was our second year competing against well-established, world-class business schools from Western Canada. We placed first in the accounting discipline, first in entrepreneurship, third in international business, and third in debate.”
Hilton points out that there is a significant charity component to JDC. “Our team ran the Chilling for Charity fund-raising event in December, raising over $2,500 and collecting many boxes of food for the local food bank. They also contributed over 400 volunteer hours to a number of local organizations.”
Following competition in 14 different categories, the overall winners were UBC’s Sauder School of Business in Vancouver (first), University of Regina (second), and the University of Alberta in Edmonton (third).
Management students and team co-captains Drew Armstrong and Jon Kent say the overall experience was amazing and one they are proud of.
“JDC West is an academic competition, but it is also filled with school spirit and teamwork,” says Armstrong. “It is remarkable to see 530 business students from all over the country come together and support not only their own school, but other schools as well.”
The theme of this year’s event was ‘Humanitarian Leadership,’ and this was very prevalent throughout the weekend, says Armstrong.
“We left Friday morning as a group of individuals, and came back as a team. Everybody supported everyone else, and many of the friendships created at JDC West will last a lifetime.”
“Without a doubt it was a combination of amazing leadership combined with bright students and a ton of hard work that contributed to our students’ strong performance,” says Professor Hilton. “Our academic teams (10 teams of three students) started training back in September and in most cases were practicing between four and eight hours per week since then. The overall academic quality of our Management program also plays a part that should not be ignored.”
For complete JDC West competition results visit http://www.jdcwest.com./
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