Graduate Studies Blog
Article contributed by Nikhil Gupta.
The MBA cohort at the Nanyang Business School began the new year on a high note by hosting the 8th Annual MBA Olympics. On 14th January 2018, MBA students from business schools of NUS, SMU, ESSEC, and SP Jain joined the NBS MBA cohort to engage in a friendly sports Olympiad, for a good cause. The event was held at the new state-of-the-art sports and recreation center, The Wave. The spirit of the event was to foster a bond among future business leaders from some of the best MBA programs in the world, through sports, and by creating value in society. In 2018, the MBA Olympics partnered with the Singapore Sports Disability Council (SDSC) to support the organization’s efforts of ensuring the well-being of the disabled in Singapore. The event was sponsored by The Keppel Care Foundation, The Fullerton Hotel, Thoughtworthy Co., Wunderman and Red Bull. The NBS Alumni also played a great role in supporting the event with their contributions.
The Guest of Honour for the opening ceremony of the event was Mr. Melvin Yong, Member of Parliament and an NBS Alumnus. The ceremony was also graced by NTU’s newly appointed President Prof. Subra Suresh and his spouse, Mrs. Mary Suresh. Also in attendance was Mr. Kevin Wong, President of SDSC. Representing Nanyang Business School were Dean Dr. Robert Kennedy, and Associate Dean Prof. Nilanjan Sen, along with Prof. Goh Kim Huat and Prof. Guido Gianasso. The opening ceremony began with Mr. Melvin Yong recounting his days at NBS, followed by NTU President Prof. Subra Suresh, who spoke about how enthralled he was with the infrastructure at the university. NBS Dean Dr. Robert Kennedy also encouraged the participants of the event in his speech. After the inspiring words of the guests, the 8th Annual MBA Olympics were officially declared opened by Mr. Melvin Yong, who signed a soccer ball to commemorate the event, after which all the guests posed for a picture with mascot of the games, Lyon the Lion.
What followed was a great spectacle of sportsmanship and camaraderie. The sports being competed in were as diverse as the participants – ranging from soccer and basketball to chess and frisbee. Students competed in high spirits while being cheered on by their colleagues, friends and families. The incredible display of athleticism and energy was a sight that had never been seen before at the MBA Olympics, as the attendance this year was the highest in the event’s history. To reenergize the athletes and guests, lunch was provided during the event, while the event’s proud sponsors Red Bull helped the participants quench their thirst by providing free energy drinks. While the athletes were busy sweating it out, the guests took part in the #2018MBAOlympics Photo Challenge on social media, and bought raffle tickets for the Lucky Draw, as lucrative prizes were up for grabs by the winners. Attendees of the event also enjoyed many treats, such as pancakes, frozen yoghurt, cold drinks and hot dogs, that were on offer through the event.
After a long day of good-spirited but intense competition, the participants and guests were invited to indoor facility at The Wave for the Medals and Closing Ceremony. A special guest during the closing ceremony was SDSC Table-Tennis Athlete, Mr. Jason Chee, to whom the school proudly presented a cheque of SGD 16,000. This amount was generated through the generous contributions of all the students, alumni & staff from the participating schools, and the kind sponsors of the event. Mr. Jason Chee’s attendance and words greatly inspired the audience, especially the Table-Tennis participants who later received medals from him. We were also honored to welcome our esteemed guests from Wunderman and Keppel Care Foundation, who presented medals to the winners of the day. NBS representatives also joined in to award the medals to the winners of the sporting events as well as those of the #2018MBAOlympics Photo Challenge and the Lucky Draw. Last but not the least was the moment that all schools were waiting for – the award for the overall winner of the 8th Annual MBA Olympics. Although all participants trained and competed well at the Olympics, it was NUS that came on top as the overall winner of the event. MBA participants from NUS were awarded the trophy by Prof. Nilanjan Sen as the crowd applauded their efforts. The event then came to close, and while all students left the field, tired and exhausted, they achieved a great bond while “Running Together for a Better World”.
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