December 15, 2011 - 3:46am
A team of students in Vancouver Island University’s Master of Business Administration program (MBA) representing 12 countries are in training to show off their mental and physical agility.
They will represent VIU at the MBA National Games in Alberta Jan. 6 to 10 and compete in three categories: academic skills, athletic abilities and team spirit.
“We’ve been invited to participate in the MBA National Games for the second year in a row and we’re thrilled,” said MBA student Moe Ezzo. “The national competition hosts the top 20 MBA programs in Canada.”
This year’s National MBA Games are hosted by the Alberta School of Business and the University of Alberta in Edmonton and the theme, “Into the Future” will focus on innovation and technology. Teams from across Canada will compete for the coveted Queen’s Cup.
In the academic category, VIU’s team of 20 students will be tested on their marketing, finance and business simulation skills. Athletically, the team will compete in dodgeball, volleyball and water polo.
“For the spirit competition, each team has been asked to prepare a dance for the Opening Ceremonies,” says Ezzo. “Our team is doing a lip sync video to showcase the multicultural spirit of VIU. We have team members from Canada, Russia, Turkey, India, Indonesia, Germany, France, Mexico, China, Libya , Morocco and Lebanon. You can say we are truly the United Nations.”
The VIU team started practising in November and Ezzo is confident going into the competition. “We’re getting professional help with our dance moves from the Nanaimo Harbour Dance Studio. We started practising our dance routine and our sports skills in November. We’re ready to compete and showcase VIU in the best possible light.”
Last year, Ezzo says the team didn’t do too badly, placing sixth in marketing, eighth in soccer and second in the business simulation.
One of the key benefits of the games is that MBA students are raising the profile of the University to a national audience. “Last year, many schools didn’t know anything about VIU,” says Ezzo. “They started paying attention to us when they saw our team spirit.”
Team members have been fundraising to offset registration, travel and accommodation costs. They held two dances and secured sponsorships. “Thrifty Foods gave us $1,000 for team uniforms and we’re extremely grateful for that support,” says Ezzo.
Other sponsors include Colourful Grass (a shoe company in Ladysmith) and Nanaimo Harbour Dance Studio.
To make a donation to the MBA team, contact Ezzo at 250-619-9313 or email moe.ezzo@gmail.con
Tags: In the Community
