Press Releases
Newstalk 106-108 fm Student Enterprise Competition Launched Today at Institute of Technology Sligo
17th September 2008
The 2008/2009 Newstalk 106-108 fm Student Enterprise Competition, in association with The Irish Times, was launched today at Institute of Technology Sligo, by Lucy Gaffney, Chairperson of Communicorp Group.
Now in its third year, the competition is designed to foster a spirit of enterprise among third level students and develop their understanding of business management, with a view to cultivating early-stage entrepreneurship. Using a case study format, the competition encourages participants to research companies and, as part of a team, devise solutions to ‘real life’ business scenarios. Last year, over 1000 students from 255 teams across 16 colleges entered the competition, which was won by a team from IT Sligo.
Speaking at the launch, Lucy Gaffney said, "Since 2006 the competition has gone from strength to strength and it has been very encouraging to see the level of entries from business and other faculties increase each year. By giving students the opportunity to work together outside their normal college environment, the competition allows participants to put into practice the knowledge they have gained from their studies and also learn valuable skills they can use in their future careers."
Denis O'Brien, Chairperson of Newstalk 106-108 fm commented "Now more than ever, it is crucial that the business community across Ireland supports business students and nurtures their talent. As our future graduates, these students will be business leaders that will drive our economy and steer it in the right direction. It is therefore essential that we mentor and support them."
The competition is exclusively open to students from 15 Institutes of Technology and the National College of Ireland. Local launches will be held in each of these colleges in the coming weeks.
The overall prize for the winning team and its team coach is a study trip to the Caribbean where they will shadow 'senior executives' in the Digicel Group.
Teams must submit written proposals to their local co-ordinator for the first round, which will be judged by their colleges. The top four entries from each college will then be given a second case study on which they present their submission to their local judging committee.
Each of the 16 judging committees will consist of top local business and media representatives as well as a local INTRE (Irish Network of Teachers and Researchers of Entrepreneurship) representative. The winning team from each of the ITs will receive prize money along with accommodation and hospitality in Sligo for the National semi-finals and final in February, 2009.
The Irish Times is an associate sponsor of the competition for the third year.
The closing date for entries is Wednesday, 15th October 2008 and entry forms must be completed through the competition website www.newstalk.ie/studententerpise. The first case study will be available online from Thursday, 16th October 2008 and proposals must be submitted to the local co-ordinator by Tuesday, 4th November 2008.
