More than 300 first year business students at WIT's School of Business participated and competed for 12 €250 prizes sponsored by State Street
All first year business students at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) recently took part in one-day ‘integrated assessment’ that ran across all courses in the School of Business. Students then competed for a prize sponsored by State Street valued at €3,000.
The unique project involved over 70 student teams, comprising 300-plus students and 50 lecturers. It offers a new approach to engaging first years and helping them to adapt to college life.
Students worked together and acted as consultants to advise on a business problem. Altogether 12 students were awarded €250 and State Street sponsored the €3,000.
The 12 prizewinners are:
Marie Delaney, Maura Duffy, Xiao Xi Chen, Damisi Kotun, Daniel Flavin, Chloe Dempsey, Lauryn Foran, Ryan Duke, Jack Harrington, Colm Kirby, Christopher Kong and Susan Akintomide.
Ann Marie Kelly and Pat Ryan, lecturers in the School of Business, coordinated the project and were impressed with the resourcefulness of students: “They hit the ground running and got their careers in Business off to a great start. It was a busy and exciting project run over two days for students and lecturers alike,” said Kelly.
“Far from being the ‘Snowflake’ generation, our first years demonstrated that they are confident and capable,” commented Ryan.
Head of School (Dean) of Business, Dr Thomas O'Toole was pleased with the project: “Students need to be ready for a changing society and workplace. This project tests students in the key skills that are required today—critical thinking, teamwork and problem solving in a novel way. It underlines the ethos of our School to challenge students and prepare them for the modern workforce.”
Having partnered with WIT for the past 17 years, State Street’s General Manager for its Kilkenny office, Cathal Smyth commented, “We’ve had a great relationship with WIT since we established our Kilkenny office in 2001, and are proud to sponsor this exciting project, which helps to nurture future talent. Congratulations to all of the students that took part, the winning projects were particularly impressive and perhaps we may see some of the winners working with us in a few years.”
Students who took part in the project cited numerous positive aspects which, allowed them to bond with classmates and improved their public speaking. The team work aspect proved the biggest hit, as working together made the process more enjoyable.
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