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.