The December 2023 BC MBA Games has been a highlight of my MBA journey so far for several reasons. Firstly, it was hosted by SFU, the previous year’s winner of the 2022 BC MBA Games. Being on home turf provided an exciting opportunity to connect with former Beedie students who organized the event. Secondly, the theme, “Decolonizing Business,” served as a compelling call to action. It urged all of us attending to explore Canada’s indigenous history, embrace the role of change agents in dismantling colonial practices, and integrate indigenous wisdom into the business world.
The opening of the games took place at the Musqueam Cultural Centre, where we participated in the apology ceremony. It was a heart-touching moment where we witnessed the healing of hearts covered in blankets and the power of forgiveness. In total, four teams—two from SFU and one each from VIU and UCW—showcased team videos and dances on the theme. Thank you, Juliet, for creating an amazing video for our team. Also, thanks to Spoorthi (Spirit Team captain), Naren, and Holly for coordinating the team dance. The SFU IBL team presented an indigenous dance, which was later joined by everyone present in the hall. In that moment, each of us cherished and celebrated the indigenous culture.
Transcendence: SFU Beedie 2024 National MBA Games from Jules Feng on Vimeo.
The second day’s schedule was jam-packed with an Amazing Race, dodgeball competition, and academic events, including the Take-Home case presentation sponsored by Teck Resources and the PechaKucha Presentation sponsored by The Embedding Project. I participated in the PechaKucha presentation with my teammates Spoorthi and Ciana. The format posed a unique challenge, involving 20 slides that were automatically timed for 20 seconds each. Thank you, team, for taking time out of your busy schedules to practice.
After a busy day, we were ready for “The Gala Event” in the evening. Everybody was dressed up, ready to meet new people and dance together. We were moving, grooving, and cheering the fantastic MBA dancers on the floor. It was one of the most entertaining moments of the event. Thank you, Ashwini, for keeping the social media presence alive with ample stories and funny moments.
The last day of the games was held at the Segal Graduate School of Business, where teams engaged in a live-case presentation sponsored by Affinity North, an e-sports competition, and a fundraising campaign challenge. This year’s fundraising partner was the Wish Drop-in Centre Society, which works for the health, well-being, and safety of Vancouver street-based sex trade workers. It was an honor to inform people about this noble cause and raise funds for the organization. Thank you, Om, for leading the fundraising.
SFU secured first place in Academics and second place overall, while UCW emerged as the overall winner and will host the BC MBA Games 2024. Thank you to SFU Co-Captains, Patrick (MBA) and Amanda (IBL EMBA), and all participants for your teamwork and sportsmanship. The event was not only a great learning and fun experience but also fostered friendships that will endure beyond the games. This exemplifies the beauty of the BC MBA Games!
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About the Author
Anjana Rajbanshi, a Full-Time MBA candidate at SFU, currently serves as the VP of Communications in the Graduate Business Students Association (GBSA) at Beedie. With 3 years of experience as a Team Lead in a Japanese real estate company, she thrived in a diverse team environment, collaborating with colleagues from nearly 20 countries and clients from 170 nations. An MA in Economics from Tokyo International University complements her professional journey. Beyond academics, Anjana actively volunteers for organizations such as Red Cross, Youth Initiative (Nepal), and Rotary International (Japan). For more, connect with her on LinkedIn.