FIC Pre-Master Students Attending Workshop at SFU Surrey

SFU Surrey

This semester's group of graduate students were involved in the SFU Coast Capital Savings Venture Connection Workshop in the morning. And, were also invited to participate in the Coast Capital Savings' announcement of their one million dollars support for SFU Venture Connection. This was the graduates students first off campus workshop together.

Grad Students in Workshop

In the workshop and the later event, other than the opportunities to learn about the fundamentals of Canadian business, the students met with other graduate students, faculties, staff, and some corporate leaders. There were also three early stage entrepreneurs with business start-ups under the SFU Venture Connection clientele that shared their financial statements as samples for discussion.

New Students Arrived for Summer 2017

New Students

The new group of students for the summer 2017 semester was involved in the orientation today. This was a smaller group of students compared to the previous semester's but their enthusiasm was just as strong. In this semester's orientation I was only involved with the graduate students and was with them from morning until about one o'clock in the afternoon.

Orientation

While I was leading the graduate students through their campus tour, I met with several other undergraduate groups of students that were led by their respective student leaders on their own campus tour. In fact, at the SFU corner stone mall at that moment was crowded with students from Fraser International College.

Visiting International Students in Malaysia

With ISKL  Students

In the last two weeks of April, I was involved in a student recruitment campaign in Malaysia. At the end of the trip, we have visited three different international schools, two banking groups and three other parent groups. Overall, the recruitment campaign was to create awareness among the parents and the prospective students about the benefits and advantages of further studies in Canada in general and Fraser International College in particular.

With HSBC Priority Clients

After speaking with these different groups, we realized that there were little or no information about the advantages of furthering with tertiary education in Canada. Majority of Malaysians and international students that have intention to further studies overseas only look at Australia, United Kingdom or United States. I have met with at least three hundred international high school students and parents within the two weeks.

With Kuala Lumpur International

We started with the upscaled Cempaka International School in Damansara Heights and Cheras. Followed a day later, meeting with the students from Kuala Lumpur International School, and two days after at International School of Kuala lumpur in Ampang. We also spoke in HSBC's Shah Alam branch's seminar organized to speak on tertiary education. In between these appointments, we also took the opportunity to meet with groups of parents.

MTH099 Final Exam

MTH099 Final Exam

I took over the MTH099 course just before the fourth week in the semester after the assigned course instructor injured herself in a freak incident that left her not able to lift her arm. While she continues to nurse her injuries, I accepted to temporary assume the instructor responsibilities for both the MTH099 classes. So, we have actually reached this stage of the semester. The final exam which was initially scheduled for next week was rescheduled to this morning to accommodate the students' need for post exam support.

Final Exam

This math final exam will also mark the final class the students will have for this semester. And, the final exam results will only be announce by the college at the end of the semester. There will be one more week where students can drop in during office hours to check on their assignment submission. Then, at the end of week thirteen the semester will be closed and the real final exam week starts. As for the MTH099 class, students will just have to wait for their results to be announced.

BUS216 Final Presentations

Giving Full Attention

The whole of week twelve was scheduled for major team presentations. The presentations started on Tuesday with two sessions. One in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Then followed with another two sessions, one each on Thursday and Friday. All together there were twenty eight teams of fours and fives doing the presentations. The students in the BUS216 Business Communication course have learned the process of gathering information, writing and composing the content, and finally delivering the presentation which are part of the required deliverables of the course.

Getting Ready

The presentation is an opportunity for them to practice their newly learned skills. These practical sessions provides them a platform to perform in front of their peers and at the same time being evaluated on their efforts and their ability to work as a team. The course also provides them the working experience that is required when working in teams. They grow through the process. Going through the four phases of team building. Most team collaborated well and delivered exceptionally polished presentations.

Concentration

Some teams still needs to improve. All of which are typical of a class. Most of their research work, writing and practices were conducted in class with the course instructor monitoring and guiding them each step of the process. This course requires a lot of interaction between the students and with the course instructor. Thus, allowing the students to build their confidence and improve on their communication skills.

Peer Education

With Peer Educators

Week twelve is the last week for peer education and also the last week for all other student support activities. After this week, the students will need time to prepare for their final exams. And so do the students that served as peer educators. I have the privileged to work with the peer educators every semester. Because I require my students in the courses that I teach to seek support with the peer educators every semester. And in return, the peer educators have provided excellent support to their fellow students.

Before the semester draws to another close, final exams will be taking place and after that, students will be heading home for a well deserved vacation. But some of these students have volunteered to help with the next semester's orientation. These are the students that will not be going home nor travelling to vacation destinations. I applaud these student leaders, they are so dedicated to supporting a good cause.

SFU's Bangladesh Students Club Cultural Exchange

The Korean Students Club Drum Trope

I was invited by one of the committee member of the Bangladesh Students Club to attend their cultural exchange night in Simon Fraser University. The cultural exchange included dance, music, songs, and fashion performance put together by other international students within the SFU international students' community. I did not stay for too long as the night was getting colder by the minute in the outdoor convocation hall.

Korean Students Club Members

But I had the opportunity to mingle with some of the international students that were there. I especially liked the performance by the Korean student club which was a traditional drum trope where the musicians were dressed in traditional Korean attire. Other than that I enjoyed watching the individual students in their dance and singing performance. Many of which also dressed in their traditional or national attires.

Snowed in March

Snowed Again

Very unusual but it happened. It has been a very long time since I last experienced snow in March. Especially in Vancouver. Although, I have not lived in Vancouver very long in comparison with many of my colleagues, listening from their conversations, I gathered that snowing in Vancouver at this time of the year is considered very odd. This winter, I have not counted but it seems to have been many snow days. Some of which caused the campus to closed.

Students in Class on a Snow Day

In spite of the early morning snow, I have full attendance in both my business and math class. During this time of the semester with assignments and midterms looming anytime before the end of the semester, students are ready in their action mode. Ever ready to seize any opportunity to improve on their chance for better grades. So, attending class is one of the students' top priority. At least to salvage whatever attendance and participation marks they could to make up for any lost marks on the other course components.

Mid Spring Semester

Spring 2017 BUS216 Class

At this time of the semester, students would have settled in their courses and be in the midst of preparing for their course deliverables. Mid term exams and assignment due dates would be the other course components that they have to focus on. Student life is practically a repetition every semester, especially when it comes to fulfilling the requirements to earned their desired degrees. At this time also, they are most stressed, mentally and physically.

I always encourage the students in my classes to take things easy. Plan everything ahead and spread out the workload. Managing time and workload is a necessary skill to acquire in university. And what better time to learn and practice when the students are still in university. University life can be fun, if planned properly. When I was a university student, I travelled with my friends when there were opportunities to do so.

Working on In Class Assignment

Other than their course work, I teach my students to be positive and accept responsibilities. This is the time for them to learn and have fun doing it. This semester, I am tasked with two courses. And with six sections, it is a full load for me. I enjoy every minute of it because I plan ahead and manage my time evenly. Although, I hardly have time for friends and miss my dining adventures a lot. But still get rare opportunities to dine with my friends anytime possible.

The Final Rounds of The Spring 2017 Universal Case Competition

The Top Speakers

Another semester of successful completion of the Universal Case Competition. The Organizing Committee, comprising of three students in different roles, of this semester's Universal Case Competition did an excellent job of managing the event from start to finish. They also had eleven FIC student volunteers to help them with the running of the day to day activities. Initially, the Case Competition attracted thirteen teams but due to concerns with assignments, exams and other student commitments, only nine teams confirm participation.

Team Innovation

Of these nine teams, all were invited to compete in the final rounds of the competition which was held earlier today in SFU's Discovery 1. The Case Competition rules and format were still the same as previous semester's competition. The only change that was visible, was the change in the officials of the competition. Two of the four officials were alumnus of FIC and SFU. And they were the former students in the PreMaster Business Program.

Spring 2017 UCC Volunteers

This semester's competition went really well. The first presentations started on time at approximately nine o'clock in the morning. By the time all the participants had completed their second presentation, it was already past noon. The judges took about twenty minutes to deliberate on the final results and decided on the three competition winners. They also named three best speakers from among all the competition presenters.

Former FIC Student Wins The Coast Capital Savings Venture Prize Awards

One of the entrepreneur team that won the recently concluded, Coast Capital Savings Venture Prize has a team member that is a FIC alumni. The Frontrvnners, who won the small business category is a start up designer apparel company comprises of three young business entrepreneurs from the Beedie School of Business. The venture competition attracted about thirty teams from amongst students, faculty, staff and alumnus of Simon Fraser University.

Team Frontrvnners

Included among the teams that participated were restauranteurs, sports promoters, high school sports programers, biomedical engineers and special interest groups. I was invited to join the panel of judges for the final rounds presentations this semester in SFU Surrey. I heard all the final round pitches and helped to select the winning teams. In fact there were at least four FIC alumnus involved in the team presentations, of which I recognized.

Valentines Day in Fraser International College

Valentines' Day in FIC

Students, staff and faculty of Fraser International College were invited to gather in the atrium of Discovery 1 to celebrate Valentines' Day during the noon break time. There were poem writing, badge making, meeting with friends, and some light refreshments. The activities were mainly focusing on building goodwill and friendship among the members of this community. Everyone managed to walk away with some fond memories.

Making Friends

I was there with the students for about ten minutes. In fact I went up to my classroom and invited the students seating in my classroom waiting for the class to start, to come down to the activity. There were about fifty students from my rough estimate, joining in the Valentines' Day event. And it was really good see students taking the time off to relax and have fun. There were certainly many happy faces. Events like these, although small but can be impactful.

Model United Nation in Fraser International College

Delegates Representing Ukraine

I attended the final session of the Spring 2017 Model United Nations in Fraser International College earlier today. This is a model meeting of the United Nations heads of governments that is organized in Fraser International College by a committee of student alumnus. This semester, there were no less than twelve teams competing for the various awards. Each team comprises of two members representing a selected country. And these representatives are delegates to the country they represent in the session.

Model United Nations in Session

The Model United Nations sessions started off with the ten minutes presentations by delegates of each country, presenting their views and points on the motion of role of The United Nations as a peace keeper. It took slightly more than two hours for each of the country's delegates to present their country's stand on the role of The United Nations before a recess was called. And when the meeting was called to order again, it was for the debate session.

Spring 2017 Model United Nations

I have been attending the Model United Nations in Fraser International College since the program started and over the years seen a vast improvement in number of participants, quality of presentations and the intensity of the debates. And this morning was nothing short of excitement and intensity. There were students going at each other and can't wait their turns to speak. Everyone of the delegate just wanted to be heard. This is a very good sign of student participation and wanting to make a difference.

BUS216 Completing Week 5 into the Spring 2017 Semester

BUS216 Group Discussion Session

This new business course that I am teaching this semester is already into the sixth week. The students have had completed five quizzes, two major component of the course, and the other group project assignment just started. The first few weeks was tough for most of the students but they slowly got adjusted with the pace of work in the class. I have scheduled the weekly lessons in such a way that they are equally spread out in the full thirteen weeks.

Team Discussion

With this new business course, my work load seems to be much more as I also provided out of class support during my office hours. I have been filling up with appointments during the past few weeks in my office hours. Normally, I will be busier during midterms and final exams or around those times. A part from my business students, I have another group of students that will seek my support with their extra curricular activities.

FIC Spring 2017 Universal Case Competition

One of the Participating Teams

The first rounds of the Universal Case Competitions concluded today with thirteen teams taking part viewing for the the eight spots available in the final rounds. We have extended invitations to six FIC alumnus to participate as coaches as well. All the coaches were assigned to two teams each and each coach will recommend one of their charges to proceed to the final rounds. The organizing committee will pick the other two teams to join the six coaches' choice in the finals.

Leonid from Kazakhstan

This semester's competition saw an increase in participating teams, comparing to the same semester last year. We initially planned the first rounds over three consecutive days of competition but the snowstorm that hit the campus caused the campus authorities to shut down the campus for half a day from noon on Wednesday. So, that day of competition had to be postponed. Quickly, the organizing committee combined the teams presenting on Wednesday to Thursday.

Felix from China

The first round case topic for this semester was "Discovering Alternative Energy Source for The Future Consumption of a Over Populated World". Just like in the previous semesters' competition, the participants stepped up to the occasion. Some of the teams' presentation quality was really beyond that of first year university students. With the first round concluded, the finalist teams will receive a new topic and have one week to prepare for the final rounds.

Snow Day Campus Closure

At the Start of the Snowstorm

We have been hit by a snowstorm so bad that causes the SFU authorities to close the campus from 2.30pm onwards. The road conditions were bad enough to cause the campus closure. Even the buses stopped operating and many students were stranded on the campus. The bus service may operate again at a later time depending on road conditions. I was still in class when instructed to allow students to go home before getting stranded.

An hour later in the Snowstorm

The only other time the SFU campus was closed was during last semester's exam period. Also due to bad road conditions from snowstorm. This winter season has seen the most campus closure in a very long time. Bad road conditions are not seen only on the Burnaby mountain but in many parts of British Columbia's lower mainland. Even the SFU Surrey campus was closed due to bad road conditions.

Spring 2017 Progressing Well

Individual Presentation

The Spring 2017 semester is progressing well into the fourth week of classes. I am teaching the newly introduced BUS216 Essentials of Business Communication course this semester. In the BUS216 course, we are already in the second quarter of the course with individual presentations just started last week, and at the final phase of executive summary, a business writing component in the course. Students in the BUS216 course have also been introduced to their respective teams in preparation for the team project.

Team Discussion

As for the FIC Instructor Mentorship Program, I have been assigned with thirty three students this semester which I have yet to meet them all. But, last week I had the opportunity to meet with some of the students that have accepted my invitation to meet up during my office hours. This mentorship program help students to discover alternative plans to accomplish their career goals and aspirations. The program presents a unique opportunity for the students to tap on the experiences and expertise of the different instructor mentors.

Team Project

I have also conducted the first two of the Moodle Learning Session for Instructors. And in between the Mentorship Program, Moodle Learning Sessions, and my assigned sections, the UCC Case Competition is progressing well into the third stage. On top of all these, I am involved with the Royal Canadian Air Cadet League of Canada, in their Effective Speaking Program as a volunteer facilitator. This program has just started about two weeks ago.

Presentation Skills Workshop for the Spring 2017 UCC Participating Teams

Prof. Daryl Fuller

The FIC Spring 2017 Universal Case Competition is progressing well into the second stage which is the Presentation Skills workshop. The organizing committee has invited a faculty member of the college to share his experience and expertise on the subject. Prof. Daryl Fuller is an accomplished speaker having taught pre-university and first year university courses for the past several years with Fraser International College.

Giving Instructions to Participants

Among the topics shared were the effective uses of presentation slides, verbal and non-verbal presentation skills. Right after the presentation skills workshop, the participating teams were introduced to their respective coaches. While they were discussing about goals and strategies, the teams were furnished with more detailed instructions on the competition rules, responsibilities of team members and coaches, dates and times of competition, and competition procedures.

A Participating Team

The organizing committee also took the opportunity to thank Prof. Daryl Fuller for his support of the Spring 2017 UCC Case Competition. With the conclusion of today's workshop, the Spring 2017 UCC Case Competition officially starts with twelve participating teams with six coaches competing for eight final round spots. Each team has one week to prepare for their first round presentation in the first week of next month.

FIC Spring 2017 Universal Case Competition Information Session

UCC Information Session

An information session for the Universal Case Competition was held for the participants to learn about the benefits of participating in the case competition and also to organize them into teams if they have done so yet. Approximately forty students attended the information session which was managed and presented by the Spring UCC organizing committee and their volunteers. Just like in previous semesters, this semester's Information Session has attracted a good number of participants and volunteers.

Spring 2017 UCC Participants

After the presentation, the organizers briefly went through the dates, times and regulations for the case competition again, as well as organizing the participants into teams of three. One very significant different with the participants from the previous semesters was that the students this semester signed up to participate as individuals. We only have recorded two complete teams on the sign up list. Therefore, more time were required to organized them into teams.

At the end of the information session, we managed to commit thirteen teams to participate which is an improvement of five teams in comparison to Spring semester of last year. With the information session and the grouping done, the organizing committee will start to plan for judges, coaches, invitations, case study topics and the next presentation skills workshop which is just a week from today. This one week a head until next, is an excellent opportunity for participants to get to know each other and start planning strategies.

FIC International Students MIC Night

Spring 2017 FIC Mic Night

Students from the various FIC student support organization celebrated the Spring 2017 semester MIC Night in the Atrium of Discovery 1. The even was full of colors and music. There were dances, music playing, and singing from the different participants. This is one of the events that kicks off the new semester. Also, allows the students time to relax, have some fun and make friends before the datelines, assignments, exams and presentations set in.

Student Rendering a Popular Song

I was in attendance and stayed through the whole event. The crowd were well behave and very orderly, better that I had expected. There were approximately fifty international students present. The performance were entertaining and what I enjoyed most was watching the students getting out of their comfort zones. Doing things they normally would not do or not have a chance to express themselves in a positive and open way. Good work for the organizers.

The Spring 2017 Universal Case Competition

UCC Promotions

The Organizing Committee for the Spring 2017 Universal Case Competition started promotions today in the atrium of Discovery 1. The target for this semester's competition is a minimum of eight participating teams. And, the Spring 2017 competition will be the fifth in the series of Universal Case Competition that FIC has organized thus far. Other than recruiting participants, we will also be signing up volunteers to assist in the event management.

In Class Promotions

Other than promoting the presentation case competition in the atrium of Discovery 1, we are also reaching out to the FIC community through facebook, tweater, FIC's online learning portal, student email addresses, and other social media sites. Like previous semesters, we will be providing info session and a seminar on Presentation Skills to create awareness and encouragement for students to take part in this event.

UCC Talk

We have been successful in previous case competitions and we are confident that the Spring 2017 will be another successful event. For further information, look out for posters, emails and brochures on the Spring 2017 Universal Case Competition that will be circulated in FIC within the next few days in Discovery 1. If you are interested to know more personally, drop in at our promotion counter in the atrium between 12.00pm and 2.00pm from January 9 to January 13.

Five Hundred Fresh Students for Spring 2017 Semester in FIC

Writing a test

Approximately five hundred new students joined Fraser International College this semester. Of the total, at least half have been enrolled into the various year one university program and courses. In business alone, we will received a fair share of these students in the business courses offered in the UTP 1 and UTP 2 courses. These fresh students will start of with courses that do not require prerequisites. They will also be enrolled into math, language, humanities, and social science courses to fulfill their minimum course load requirement.

In a business communication course

This semester I have been tasked with four sections of BUS216 Introduction to Business Writing. And may be another section of BUS200 Introduction to Fundamentals of Canadian Business. With the classes combined, I should have about one hundred seventy students in total. In Fraser International College the student class size is small and manageable between thirty to forty max. But usually the average is about thirty five students in each class.