Sharjah Men's College 1st runner-up in 2008 International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition in San Diego

The SMC Higher Diploma students of Business Studies - level 6- were on an educational tour to the US and San Diego from April 16, at the end of which they took part in the international contest in which teams from universities across the world contested.

Mr. Farid Mohammed Ahmed, Secretary General of Dubai World, congratulated the SMC team. "Dubai World is very happy that the educational trip it sponsored concluded in a highly creditable victory for the students and the college. The competitors have made the college and the UAE proud by becoming first runner-up in an international contest," he said.

"Dubai World is keen to support similar educational trips and participation in contests which widen the horizons of knowledge for the students. We realise that such activities provide them with vital experience and strengthen their personality. This is crucial to the development of our country's future leaders. Dubai World is committed to encourageing the future generation," Mr. Farid Mohammed Ahmed added.

The participating students from Sharjah Men's College were: Hamad Al Shamsi, Khalid Al Marri, Mohammed Al Qassimi, Omar Al Moalla, Fahad Al Qassimi, Abdulla Al Huraimel, Moad Al Ali and Mohammed Al Muhairi. They were accompanied by two faculty members: Dr. Shane Khartabil and Maha Ibrahim.

Hamad Al Shamsi said it was a fantastic opportunity for the UAE students to prove themselves and represent their country in an international competition. "The challenges were tremendous, however the high quality of education we acquired at Sharjah Men's College helped us confront them in a very professional way," he added.

Mohammed Al Qassimi said: "We are grateful to be here and would like to thank Dubai World, our prime sponsor, for making this happen. We would like to see more business houses come up with similar major sponsorships. The experience we acquired on the tour and in the competition truly added value to our education and the benefits are invaluable".

The competition aimed at giving the students exposure to complex market and economic conditions through computerised simulation of situations.

The purpose was to sharpen the students' ability to formulate business strategies and make sound decisions in times of crisis. This provided them with an opportunity to apply in practice the theories they learnt in class rooms.

The competition was held with teams from each university grouped into "Worlds." Five or six teams in each "World" competed directly against each other.

The ICBSC 2008 involved fierce competition between teams which included major US and Canadian universities such as the San Diego State University, Arcadia University, Pennsylvania, Ohio University, Willamette Oregon University, California State University, San Jose State University and University of Wisconsin.

The first phase of the competition began in early February and lasted for 10 weeks, during which the students made 11 strategic decisions contesting from their home campus through online simulation.

At the intensely fought final phase they gathered for a three-day conference in San Diego, California, where they had to make about ten more sets of decisions, submit a comprehensive business strategic plan and give oral presentations to a panel of judges.

The Higher Colleges of Technology, of which the SMC is a part, has been actively involved in the competition for the past five years.

This year Dubai World fully sponsored the team in line with the company's commitment towards encouraging students to develop leadership qualities.

The educational tour also included visits to major cultural, academic, financial and tourist landmarks in the US.

The final round of the contest was opened on April 17 by Prof. Robin McCoy of the University of San Diego, who was the director of ICBSC. The students were asked to take decisions responding to simulated situations and submit plans.

The pressure was intense on teams. The final presentations were made and results announced on April 19.

The ICBSC was internationally launched in 1965 by Prof. Dick Cotter of the University of Nevada.

It generated great interest among reputed universities and colleges across the United States and also in Asia, Middle East, Australia, Europe and Latin America.