January 15, 2008
University of Alberta Officially Opens Enterprise Square Downtown Campus
Enterprise Square, the University of Alberta's downtown centre of teaching, learning, research and innovation, officially opened today, breathing new life into a quiet block of downtown. A partnership between the university and all three orders of government, Enterprise Square is a vibrant hub that provides the opportunity for diverse collaboration and economic development. At the same time, it preserves the historic nature of the former Hudson's Bay Building on Jasper Avenue. "Enterprise Square is a visible symbol of the university's strong ties to the community and our commitment to community engagement and citizenship that underpins our vision," said U of A President Samarasekera. "Partnership, collaboration and innovation all lie at the heart of Enterprise Square, so this building is, in many ways, a symbol of the whole university as we celebrate our centenary and look toward our future. We envision a new period of partnership-building, and expect that Enterprise Square will be the site of many productive and inventive relationships with various community organizations." Enterprise Square plays a key role in the university's future as it serves the mission of teaching and learning, of research and creativity, of innovation, of community involvement and partnerships. This downtown presence strengthens the U of A's ties to downtown business, arts and cultural communities. And the lynch pin to all of this potential-which is now coming to fruition-was the collaboration and support provided by government: $15 million from the federal government through Western Diversification, $15 million from the Government of Alberta and $12.5 million from the City of Edmonton ($7.5 million to Enterprise Square and $5 million to TEC Edmonton). "Today's launch of Enterprise Square will help position Western Canada at the forefront of innovation. It is an important milestone in the region's growing capacity for science and technology commercialization," said the Honourable Rona Ambrose, president of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and minister of Western Economic Diversification. "The Government of Canada is proud to have invested $15 million toward the establishment of the TEC Centre at Enterprise Square to support local technology companies as they transform their ideas into marketable products and services." "This new facility is a great example of the benefits achieved through collaboration," said Doug Horner, Minister of Alberta Advanced Education and Technology. "Our combined effort creates a win-win for everyone and provides new academic and economic opportunities for Albertans." Enterprise Square is home to some 600 employees, about half from the university, including staff and faculty with several administrative units plus the Faculty of Extension, Executive Education and Lifelong Learning and the Alberta Business Family Institute of the U of A's School of Business. TEC Edmonton, a university partnership with Edmonton Economic Development Corporation, has the largest presence in Enterprise Square. Aimed to bring university research to the marketplace via spinoff and technology commercialization companies, TEC Edmonton and the companies in its TEC Centre occupy the new fourth floor. Their presence will facilitate economic growth and diversification opportunities for the province and beyond, especially given the strategic location in the heart of the business community in Alberta's capital city. Enterprise Square represents another big step in the revitalization of the downtown core and preserves an important historical landmark. Refurbishing a building of its size- now more than 400,000 square feet-proved significantly more cost effective at $86.5 million than developing a new building, ultimately passing cost savings to taxpayers. Given the nature of the business, teaching, learning and research happening in the building, many of the people visiting and working in the facility are drawn there after traditional business hours, further benefiting downtown revitalization. In addition, the block is now reconnected to the pedway system. "Enterprise Square contributes to our vibrant downtown community, builds on our diversity and makes a significant contribution to our value-added economy," said Mayor Stephen Mandel. "By teaming up with our partners we can make sure that the modern advances researched and developed right here at the University of Alberta result in a greater return on our investment and reap us tremendous rewards in years to come." The name Enterprise Square was selected in 2006 in recognition of the building's past as a centre of commerce and its future as Edmonton's home of creative and entrepreneurial spirit. The reference to Square captures the idea of a dynamic meeting place for those who work, study and visit there in addition to the shape of the building's floor plate. In yet another example of partnerships at the heart of Enterprise Square, the atrium currently features an exhibition of original artwork by students in various U of A programs. This includes "write/print," a collaboration between the WRITE program in English and Film Studies, Art and Design's printmaking group, and the Faculty of Extension's fine arts certificate program. There is also "Design Works," the first of a series of exhibitions featuring innovative and thought-provoking designs from undergraduate and graduate students in industrial design and visual communication design.
Source: University of Alberta

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January 14, 2008
Dalhousie University: Master's Student Receives Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies
The Faculty of Management congratulates Jessica Wise, a third year Dalhousie MBA/MHSA student, on her achievement of receiving a $10,000 Frank H. Sobey award for excellence in business studies. The award will formally be presented this March to all six winners in Atlantic Canada. "Ms. Wise is an outstanding student and active member of the Dalhousie MBA Society executive. Despite her busy academic schedule Jessica has been an avid volunteer and actively participated in an event that has raised $15,000 for breast cancer research," says Dean David Wheeler of the Faculty of Management. "We are pleased to see our students succeed academically as well as externally. Jessica has managed to do both, and we look forward to many more great achievements," says Dean Wheeler. Frank H. Sobey Award applicants are nominated by University deans. The awards are given to either undergraduate or graduate students studying business full-time at Atlantic Canadian Universities. Since 1989, 91 students have received the award, which is based on academic standing, entrepreneurial interest, extracurricular and community activity, employment history and career aspirations. Applicants for the prestigious award must also have a minimum overall GPA of 3.67 with no grade below A-. Dalhousie's Jessica Wise has been an active community volunteer and member of the Dalhousie MBA Society executive. She is also a part owner of a small business called Atlantic Business Consultants Ltd. Since she purchased the business with her partner, the company's profits have grown 300%. She is in her third and final year of the combined Master of Business Administration / Master of Health Services Administration degree program.
Source: Dalhousie University, Faculty of Management, Nova Scotia

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January 8, 2008
MBA at Ryerson University Ranks First at the 2008 MBA Games
Competing at the 2008 National MBA Games from January 3rd to 5th at Hamilton's DeGroote School of Business, a team of Ryerson MBA and MMSc students ranked first overall to win the Queen's Cup. Queen's School of Business took second place and the John Molson School of Business finished third. Although the Ryerson MBA and MMSc program is less than two years old and this marks just the second time participating at the National MBA Games, the team was remarkably successful. In addition to the overall win, Ryerson achieved several other awards including: first place overall in the academic category, based on a first place win in the marketing case competition and second place in the strategy case competition; first place overall in the spirit category; and third place overall in the athletic category. "We are incredibly proud of our talented students, who are the entrepreneurs and business leaders of tomorrow," said Ken Jones, Dean, Ted Rogers School of Management. "This win is proof positive that at Ryerson, we don't just talk about integrative and applied learning; we know how to do it."
"Our first place finish at the 2008 MBA Games is indisputable proof of the abilities and dedication of the Ryerson MBA and MMSc students and their faculty leaders," said Wendy Cukier, Associate Dean Academic, Ted Rogers School of Management. "A key strategic advantage of the Ryerson MBA program is that our faculty offer students a combination of academic excellence and real-world experience." The annual National MBA Games is the largest gathering of the best and brightest MBA students in Canada. This year's games brought together more than 350 students representing 14 schools from coast to coast all vying for the Queen's Cup in three competitive categories: academic, athletic and spirit. The 2008 Ryerson MBA Games team consists of 38 full- and part-time students from the MBA with a global focus, the MBA in the Management of Technology and Innovation and the MMSc in the Management of Technology and Innovation. "Every single individual on the team added something unique and powerful," said Brian Yoon, part-time Ryerson MBA student and team leader. "Our strategy for success was identifying and leveraging the core competencies of individuals in our team early and then capitalizing through relentless planning and practice."
"I'm thrilled for the students and what this means for our MBA and MMSc programs," said Dale Carl, Director of Graduate Students, Ted Rogers School of Management and head coach for Ryerson's MBA Games team. "Because our program is less than two years old, this win gives our students so much more confidence and validates that what they are learning is valuable and applicable. Our first place ranking will also enhance our reputation with employers." Faculty, staff and students from the Ted Rogers School of Management, and the Ryerson community, assisted the Ryerson MBA Games team with financial, academic and moral support. Professors Kernaghan Webb and Jane Saber aided Prof. Carl by preparing the students. Sponsors included the Ted Rogers School of Management, the Ryerson University Bookstore, Ryerson Students' Union, Ryerson Students' Union Grad Council, and Ryerson Student Projects Fund (P-FACS).
Source: Ryerson University, Ontario

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January 3, 2008
McMaster University: MBA Games come to DeGroote School of Business
More than 400 of Canada's best and brightest MBA students will converge on the DeGroote School of Business today for the 2008 MBA Games. This annual national student competition will draw teams from 14 schools from across the country to compete in challenges that will test students' academic knowledge, athletic prowess and school spirit. Over the course of three days, students participate in a variety of events. This year, the academic events will include two live cases -- one with a focus on business strategy and one with a focus on marketing -- a negotiation challenge and a simulated stock challenge. DeGroote's Games will focus on Canadian contributions to international development, encouraging MBAs to apply innovative business solutions to international development issues. In keeping with this theme, MBA Games 2008 has partnered with MBAs Without Borders, a not-for-profit organization that sends MBAs overseas to work with developing countries. "It is becoming more and more widely recognized that business leaders have to be accountable not only to their shareholders, but also to their communities and the global environment," says co-chair Talia Dabby. "Organizing the Games around the theme of international development gives us the opportunity to promote ethical practices, charitable donations and environmental responsibility among the next generation of business leaders." The School was awarded the opportunity to host the next MBA Games after DeGroote students won the 2007 Games. "This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the excellence of our MBA program here at McMaster," says Paul Bates, dean of the DeGroote School of Business. "We are extremely proud of our students both for their victory in the 2007 MBA Games and also for the leadership they have demonstrated in hosting the 2008 MBA Games."
Source: McMaster University, Ontario

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