John Ruskin College students return from the USA after representing England in a Global Enterprise Competition
29 September 2011
Cultural event - to represent England’s cultural diversity
Students’ innovation at John Ruskin College has been recognised at an international level. On the 22nd of July 2011 two level 3 Business students, Omar Ahmad and Syed Bukhari and their Business teacher Sharron Williams joined over 180 teenagers from 14 countries to descend on Buffalo New York to compete in the ninth annual ‘Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship’ (“SAGE”) World cup tournament. SAGE seeks to empower teenagers with entrepreneurial skills in order to gain self reliance through setting up their own enterprise ventures.
John Ruskin College students spent the year working on an enrichment activity contributing positively to the local community with their teacher Charles Asmah. They worked with NEET students (Students not in education and training), to develop their entrepreneurial skills, as well as developing their literacy and numeracy skills. The NEET students were encouraged to aspire to start their own business or return to education. The students also supported some school learners in the local community.
Omar Ahmad – left Syed Bukhari - Right
Teacher Sharron Williams with Syed Bukhari and
Omar Ahmad waiting to complete their presentation
There were two categories to the SAGE competition - Best Socially-Responsible Business and The Best Social Enterprise. The top teams in each category won prize money, a trophy and bragging rights as the world’s best youth enterprise teams. Each team was given 30 minutes to explain the details of their entrepreneurial venture to a panel of judges from across the globe and fellow students. Students were judged on their presentation, written report and key impacts of their projects. This culminated in a rigorous question and answer session. Syed commented that the competition gave him the opportunity to develop and put into practice, skills acquired through his learning.
Our students were given the opportunity to stay on a university campus and experience university life, as well as participating in cultural events, a gala dinner, and a showcase of enterprise projects. They also networked with students from all over the world and influential business leaders. They experienced sightseeing in Buffalo, including Niagara Falls, as well as attending a Baseball match, and visiting shopping outlets. On conclusion of the visit the students were awarded a $15,000 year scholarship to an American University.
Omar said “I am proud that I represented my college and country. This programme has inspired me to start thinking about starting my own business and it has also helped me to be more creative and innovative, I am also considering going to university in America which I would have never considered before. I have also been able to utilise what I have learnt from the project to improve my grades.”
Sharron Williams
Senior Teacher John Ruskin College