UWINNIPEG FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
“One of the significant advantages of becoming involved in extra- curricular activities is becoming engaged
in the community.” Business student Andrew Collignon in the Buhler Centre, home of the UWinnipeg Faculty of Business and Economics. Photo courtesy of UWinnipeg
“As part of experiential learning, we encourage engagements with the community, whether as volunteers on social issues, or as part of competitions,” says Dr. Sylvie Albert, Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics. “Students have a choice to take entrepreneurship courses and will have access to community experts and networks if they are interested in pursuing a social enterprise concept.” One opportunity students are exposed to is Jeux du Commerce West, an annual business competition that challenges schools across Western Canada to showcase their strengths in academics, debate, athletics and social activities. UWinnipeg has entered a team in each of the past five competitions. “One of the pillars of JDC West is the community and volunteer portion in which the whole team supports five not- for-profit organizations,” says Collignon. “During my time in the competition, the shared experiences built in the community have helped with my personal development.” According to Albert, a well-rounded education is something more employers will be seeking as advances in technology disrupt traditional positions. “As more processes are eliminated or diverted to AI, we need to ensure our students have a complete understanding of the people side as well as the technical side,” says Albert. “It is important to keep our finger on the pulse and become more flexible in redesigning programs to fit the new realities of industry 4.0.” ■
UWinnipeg Faculty of Business and Economics students are CONNECTING WITH THE COMMUNITY
I n an ever-changing business environment, what are students in The University of Winnipeg’s Faculty of Business and Economics doing to stand out? It’s simple: just one thing. “We always express to students the importance of doing one extra thing every year throughout their degree, whether it’s volunteering, joining a student association, or enrolling in a co-op,” says Carter Cousineau, Director, Operations and Business Development, UWinnipeg. “At the end of their degree, they will be astonished how far they have come in preparation for their next chapter.” Students are embracing the concept, and seeing how community involvement sets
a UWinnipeg business degree apart from the competition. “One of the significant advantages of becoming involved in extra-curricular activities is becoming engaged in the community,” says Andrew Collignon, a fourth-year accounting major and founder of the University of Winnipeg Accounting Students' Association. “Establishing the accounting association has connected me to many professionals, and accounting students get to meet these professionals through UWASA events.” Recognizing the advantages for graduates, the faculty has begun to embed more outside opportunities directly into the curriculum.
december 2017
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