A team of international students from Cambrian College placed third in their league at the Enactus Central Canada Innovation and Impact Challenge, held last week in Mississauga.
Team Enactus Cambrian, sponsored by Manitoulin Transport, is made up of 23 students in total, and a team of six competed at the event. The students are from Colombia, Ghana, Mexico, and Nepal and enrolled in various programs including Honours Bachelor of Business Administration, Business Analytics,Computer Programming – Internet of Things, Hospitality – Hotel and Restaurant Management, and Public Relations.
In the competition, students had to identify, create and deliver projects that addressed real-world
problems. Teams were judged on how well they defined and researched the problem, their use of innovation and collaboration, the strength of their business model, and the impact their solution had on the problem.
The real-world problem addressed by Team Cambrian was how to connect newcomers and existing Northern Ontario residents with local businesses, attractions, and the community at large.
The team developed Passport to the North. Their idea included a social media contest to encourage youth to explore the North, advice from local businesspeople on how youth can be entrepreneurs, and an app promoting activities and businesses in the north.
For placing third, Team Cambrian, won a prize of $500.
It was the second time in a year that team member Nicholas Arkuh of Ghana has found himself on the podium at a high-level competition. Last November, Arkuh, who is enrolled in Cambrian’s Honours Bachelor of Business Administration program, placed third in Advanced Marketing Strategy at the Ontario Colleges Marketing Competition.
“I’m so happy to have worked with this group of hard-working and creative friends,” said Arkuh. "We enjoyed every moment of our time here. This is a small team with big dreams!”
For team co-president Claudia Patricia Rodriguez Salas of Colombia, a student in Cambrian’s Public Relations program, the competition pushed her out of her comfort zone.
“There were moments when I felt nervous and doubted myself, but pushing past that fear was worth it,” said Rodriguez Salas. “I couldn’t be prouder of our team. We are students from all over the world, each bringing unique cultures, perspectives, and ideas.”
