AIT launches search for student entrepreneurs of the future

The 2009/2010 Newstalk 106-108 fm Student Enterprise Competition, in association with The Irish Times, was launched at Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) recently. Now in its fourth year, the competition is designed to develop an understanding of business management and promote early-stage entrepreneurship among third level students. 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. A record 1,300 students, across 330 teams, from Ireland's 15 Institutes of Technology and the National College of Ireland, entered the 2008/2009 competition, which was won by a team from the National College of Ireland. The competition is exclusively open to students from Ireland's 15 Institutes of Technology and the National College of Ireland. 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. The winning team from each of the ITs will receive prize money along with accommodation and hospitality in Dublin for the National Semi-Final and Final in February, 2010 at the National College of Ireland. 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 leading telecommunications company, Digicel Group. Head of AIT's Business School, John Cusack, said: "Participating in this competition has given students a good understanding of the real world challenges facing businesses. Our courses balance theory with practical application, which will benefit students, not only in this event, but in their careers. Intrinsic to this process is a nurturing of creative flair and entrepreneurial spirit, which is matched in the objectives of the Newstalk 106-108 fm Student Enterprise Competition." Entry forms must be completed through the competition website www.newstalk.ie/studententerprise. The first case study will be available online from Thursday, 15th October 2009 and proposals must be submitted to the local co-ordinator by Tuesday 3rd November 2009.