The Deans of the top Singapore-based business schools came together last October to create the Deans’ Challenge – a series of tasks to encourage MBA students in Singapore to forge a closer network through shared experiences. The intention was to enhance inter-school cooperation and camaraderie, and have students experience a larger MBA community.
Conceived by Dean Andrew K Rose over coffee on a paper napkin, he appointed me to lead the charge. That day marked the beginning of an unforgettable experience, organising the inaugural Challenge with student leaders from other schools.
And the game was on!
The 2020 challenge was made of up three parts — an Olympic-style sports meet in January; a case competition at NUS during March, and finally, a talent show held in early October.
NUS MBA students at the Olympics held in NTU (in January)
The schools earned 400, 200 and 100 points for first, second and third place respectively. The university that receives the most number of points after the three events are completed is declared the winner. Judges for various challenges varied from industry leaders, field experts and the Deans of the participating b-schools.
Pandemic: the silver lining
Surprisingly, it was juggling the various student schedules and not the pandemic that posed the biggest challenge for the organisers. NTU and SMU have a 12-month MBA, while we have a 17-month one, so academic calendars were tough to align.
The NUS MBA team at the case competition (in early March at NUS)
While it did cause some delays and confusion initially, the pandemic forced us to move everything online. That made event organisation so much easier since participants could attend remotely, no matter where they were in the world.
The pandemic added a new challenge to the students. The social restrictions on gatherings meant that they could not meet and network at the events.
Each stage of the challenge was hotly contested by students from all three schools.
And the winner is NTU with 800 points, followed by NUS with 700 points and SMU with 600 points.
“I am delighted that the MBA students of Singapore rose to the challenge; NTU was victorious, but the challenge participants were the real winners!” said Distinguished Professor Andrew K. Rose, Dean, NUS Business School.
Doing good at the Challenge
It was incredibly rewarding to manage a platform that enabled students across the participating business schools to interact, socialise and network with one another. Never before have we connected like this and truly hope that future student leaders will sustain this initiative.
The NUS MBA students performing at the virtual talent show in October
Adding to this fulfilment was how my fellow candidates from THE NUS MBA unanimously wanted to contribute back to society. We took the opportunity to raise some $1,000 from sales of Dean’s Challenge T-shirts. All proceeds were donated to Beyond Social Services; a charity focused on helping youths and children facing poverty.
It is a matter of pride to have been able to run point on an initiative like this. I am truly proud to call myself an NUS Business School student!
Key Deans’ Challenge highlights:
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grand inter-business school challenges organised (in-person and virtual)
