July 14, 2010 - 9:04pm
Students enrolled in Vancouver Island University’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program will act silly this weekend while raising funds for charity.
MBA students will utilize their leadership and management abilities during the annual Silly Boat Regatta on Sunday, July 18 at Maffeo Sutton Park in Nanaimo to raise money for the Child Development Centre (CDC). This year, MBA students have organized a second stage—the Van Isle Septic Pavilion—and multiple booths offering a variety of services.
“Last year, MBA students raised over $5,000 for the CDC. Our goal is to exceed that amount this year,” said MBA student Jordan Butler. “In large part to the sponsorship by Van Isle Septic, we are substantially ahead of last year’s pace and hope to establish a new VIU MBA record for fundraising.”
“The Silly Regatta is the perfect event to bring MBA students together, create a sense of belonging and allow them to make a positive difference in the community,” said David Woodward, MBA Internship Coordinator.
Students will roam through the crowds at the Silly Boat Regatta selling food, water, raffle tickets, silent auction items and other key services like face panting and a dunk tank to raise funds for the CDC.
The Van Isle Septic Pavilion is the place to go to purchase raffle tickets and bid on silent auction items as well as enjoy live music in addition to the main event.
The MBA students are determined to exceed previous fundraising efforts and have become increasingly competitive in their pursuits. “This is excellent practice for MBA students,” said Woodward. “Many of them hope to become entrepreneurs one day, so this community friendly event gives them a chance to explore their creative, entrepreneurial and innovative potential.”
“The Child Development Centre is strongly linked to the university and the perfect charity for MBA students to support,” Woodward added. “It gives students a great feeling to know they can practise their skills, have fun and support their community at the same time.”
If successful at their fundraising efforts, this year’s crop of MBA students will have their team name engraved on the Mann Cup, a trophy named in honour of Mike Mann, recently retired Dean of the Faculty of Management, who served VIU for many years.
VIU’s dual degree MBA program is unique in Canada. Students earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from VIU and a Master in Science in International Business (MScIB) from the University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom at the same time. With credentials from two continents, this intensive 14-month program prepares graduates with the support and skills they need to apply for management positions in North America and beyond.
VIU has over 450 MBA graduates working around the world. Last year’s pool of graduates represented 21 countries including Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Russia, Taiwan, Trinidad/Tobago and Turkey.
To find out more about VIU’s MBA program, visit www.viu.ca/mba
Tags: In the Community
