For the University of Manitoba alum Emily Thoroski, that step came when she decided to combine her two biggest loves: music and the environment.

“The Environmental Musician started as a dream through my passion for music and the environment while studying at the University of Manitoba,” Emily explains.

While completing her thesis in Environmental Science, Emily asked biologists why wildlife mattered to them. Those answers inspired her to create something unique: writing songs that brought research, science, and stories about nature to life through music to inspire children to think positively about the environment. Through performing in schools across the province, Emily makes her side hustle business as The Environmental Musician with a mission to connect people, especially children, to the environment in new and meaningful ways.

But even with a clear vision, Emily knew there were gaps in her knowledge. She had spent years immersed in science, but not in business. That’s when she discovered the Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship’s How to Start a Side Hustle Course, sponsored by The Asper Foundation, a six-week virtual workshop open to UM students, faculty, staff, and alumni who want to explore entrepreneurship on their own terms.

“Being a part of the How to Start a Side Hustle Course gave me the business knowledge to get me started in my side hustle that I never had,” Emily says. “I’ve attended the University of Manitoba for several years, but never knew the business side, which is where this course has helped me the most.”

Photo by Mikaela Mackenzie for the Free Press, used with permission of the photographer.

For Emily, the course was more than a crash course in entrepreneurship. It was a space for personal growth.

“I was a shy kid my whole life, but when I saw this opportunity come up, I knew I had to go for it, and I’m so excited I did,” she shares. “Seeing the excitement on children’s faces when I perform, and how it opens their eyes, it feels like the start of something bigger for the future.”

Since its launch in September 2024, the How to Start a Side Hustle Course has already welcomed over 250 applicants and supported 60 participants, all exploring their own unique passions and ventures. For Emily, being part of that growing community has been just as valuable as the skills she learned.

“The Side Hustle community has been helpful not only for the business side, but also in growing connections with entrepreneurs from other industries,” she says.

Looking back, Emily is glad she took the leap into the How to Start a Side Hustle Course.

“My advice to anyone thinking about this course is don’t be afraid—just go for it,” she says. “You won’t know what you’ll get out of it or how it can help your business until you try. I’m so glad I did.”

—

Applications for the Fall 2025 cohort of the How to Start a Side Hustle Course are open until September 19, 2025. Learn more on the Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship website.

Hosted by Ivey Business School (Western University), SICC challenged teams from five continents to vie for the top prize in the preliminary round and two rounds of live competition.

The first round: AI-enhanced medical technology

Tenomix, a medical technology company, was the focus of the first round. Adair, Glatz, and Odidison had five hours to prepare a market strategy for the firm’s flagship product. The “Lymphonator” uses artificial intelligence (AI) and ultrasound imaging to refine cancer screening and staging.

Kayla Odidison. Photo by David Lipnowski.

With an hour to practice and just 15 minutes to convince the judges of their strategy, the team focused on the quality of their research and their biggest strength as a team.

“We knew it was our presentation style that set us apart,” says Odidison.

A new way to present

At the suggestion of their coach, Judy Jayasuriya (Instructor and Lead, Experiential Learning), the team tried out a new presentation style for this competition.

Instead of each team member speaking on separate sections and slides, they made an effort to hand off the mic more frequently. With each slide, every team member spoke.

“In the earlier practices, when we were first trying to implement this style, it was very chaotic,” Adair notes.

Evan Adair. Photo by David Lipnowski.

But with practice and polish, transitions were smoothed and chaotic became dynamic. And the judges noticed.

The final round: Standing out in AI-saturated markets

After coming in a close second in the first round, the team tackled a second and final case featuring Armilla AI. Armilla provides AI model risk detection.

“So, if you have an AI model that you’re building, you would go to this company and they test it to find out whether its prone to bias or another kind of error,” Glatz explains.

The team was challenged to drive growth and determine if the firm should focus solely on detection or expand to offer more insurance services as well.

Securing their place in the finals, Adair, Glatz, and Odidison offered a strategy that pursued both options—build on the strength of the detection service while standing out in the newer market of AI liability insurance.

Garrison Glatz. Photo by David Lipnowski.

As it turns out, a strong idea with exceptional delivery is a recipe for success.

“The judges loved the structure and sense of organization of the presentation. They felt that our team was the most cohesive and presented the strongest business case for the firm,” said Jayasuriya [BComm(Hons)/10, BA/12, MBA/14]. And the Asper team earned first place, beating out Ateneo de Manila University and the University of Alabama on the podium.

A case for career growth

With travel, intense practice and preparation sessions, and high-intensity presentations (all under a tight timeline!), a case competition can be a whirlwind.

Once they returned to Winnipeg, trophy in tow, the team reflects on the experience, as students and team members.

Adair and Odidison, both hoping to graduate in 2026 and pursue their CPA designation, see case as a valuable experience in their respective career journeys.

“Being able to complete cases has really allowed me to understand how to analyze a business, both qualitatively and quantitatively, helping me prepare for the case-based CPA program,” says Odidison.

Adair highlights the soft skills (collaboration, teamwork, public speaking) as well as the key technical skills he has developed through case. “PowerPoint, financial modeling, Excel shortcuts, research—these are all examples of hard skills that I felt I dramatically improved since I started doing case,” he says.

For Glatz, a finance major graduating this year, case feels like a natural fit for his ambitions to work in the industry before branching out into something broader—politics, economics, central banking policy.

“Case gives me an opportunity to learn about a lot about different companies and fields and sharpen my critical thinking skills in the process,” he says.

What’s in a team

As Adair, Glatz, and Odidison recount their case experience, there’s a familiarity and exchange; it’s inviting, persuasive, fun. They can laugh about a team member’s quirks (Glatz’s flexible relationship to urgency, Adair’s “crashing out” pose, Odidison’s preferred snack and full-time role as devil’s advocate) and in the same breath earnestly highlight what they bring to the team. Glatz knows how to come up with ideas, a lot of them; Adair can present the most complex numbers like it’s a conversation; Odidison knows how to refine an idea and delivery it flawlessly.

As they share their case story, it’s not hard to see what the judges saw.

Adair, Glaza, and Odidison. Photo by David Lipnowski.

—

Coached by Judy Jayasuriya, the SICC team was supported by Howard Harmatz, Nolan Ward, Cole Hutchison, Chelsea Kokan, Bhaumik Gandhi and Tamara Nelson.

Case competitions give students an opportunity to showcase complex problem-solving skills in diverse teams. A cornerstone of experiential learning at the Asper School of Business, case connects students to top business school and industry experts around the world and right here in Manitoba. Learn more about case competition opportunities at the Asper School of Business.

When Gier first walked through the doors of the I. H. Asper School of Business, he was unsure of his path. He considered careers in Engineering or the sciences, but a last-minute decision led him to Marketing, and he hasn’t looked back since. Asper’s reputation in the Winnipeg business community and its passionate network of alumni and faculty welcomed him with open arms, setting the stage for a transformative academic journey. 

For Gier, going on a student exchange was a dream—one that seemed out of reach due to financial constraints. But thanks to the support of donors, Gier was able to apply for a travel bursary seamlessly. He was awarded the Hartley T. Richardson International Travel Bursary, which not only eased his financial burden but also allowed him to focus on his studies and fully embrace the exchange experience.  

A world of growth 

In early 2025, Gier swapped the UM Fort Garry campus for Vic, Spain — a city between the mountains of the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean Sea, seventy kilometres north of Barcelona. In Vic, Gier has faced challenges that tested his resilience. From navigating a new language to living independently, every obstacle became a stepping stone for personal growth. He has immersed himself in a global classroom, learning alongside peers from diverse backgrounds and gaining a fresh perspective on business and life. 

“My biggest takeaway has definitely been the ability to adapt to new situations. If I were to describe the first few weeks of my time in Spain, I would say it was unpredictable. I did not expect the adjustment to my new life to be that difficult, but it was.” details Gier.  “I was pushed to adapt to the circumstances, and I learned many lessons along the way. I can only imagine the amount of self-growth and discovery that is still yet to come.” 

A lifelong impact 

Taking advantage of every opportunity Asper has provided him, Gier commends the holistic approach to business education at UM, with this exchange being a cornerstone of his academic and personal journey. “Living abroad in a different country comes with its struggles but you truly learn so much about yourself. You also get the amazing opportunity to learn about business through a global lens.” explains Gier. It taught him adaptability, resilience, and the value of stepping out of his comfort zone. “I knew I made the right decision. This degree pushes you to continually understand society and the people around you. It gives you the opportunity to think outside of the box and constantly find new and innovative solutions to real-world problems.” 

Asper’s international exchange program allows students the chance to study at one of over 60 business schools around the world. By embracing these opportunities, students like Gier position themselves to thrive in an increasingly diverse and competitive global economy, ensuring they are not just participants but leaders at the centre of shaping the future of business.  

In today’s interconnected world, the value of a global mindset cannot be overstated. As UM alum and donor, Hartley T. Richardson shares, “International experiences serve as a foundational element of a world-class business education, equipping students with a global perspective that enhances their readiness for future career success.”  

“My classes have people from multiple backgrounds in different fields from science, technology, business and engineering.” shares Gier. “They come from various countries all throughout the world which helps create a unique learning experience.” Such experiences not only broaden horizons but also foster cultural intelligence, adaptability, and innovative thinking — skills that are indispensable in navigating the complexities of the modern business landscape. 

One of the most heartwarming moments of his exchange so far was sharing the story of Winnipeg with locals. When asked where he was from, he proudly spoke of our city, introducing a part of Canada that many had never heard of. “When I explain to them, I’m from Winnipeg, the confusion on their faces never fails to make me laugh. Having to explain to them where our city is and what goes on outside of the countless blizzards is no easy task, but I love doing it. Getting to talk about the home that I got to grow up in and the unique charm that Winnipeg has.” shared Gier. “Going on exchange not only allows us to take part in a new culture, but it also allows us to bring a little bit of our own home to others.” 

—

This bursary is a component of the Hartley T. Richardson Student Support Fund, created in 2019 by Dr. Hartley T. Richardson’s family, friends, and fellow UM alumni to commemorate his receipt of the International Distinguished Entrepreneur Award (IDEA). Dr. Richardson, a distinguished UM graduate [BComm(Hons)/77,LLD/04BComm(Hons)/77,LLD/04], serves as the President and CEO of James Richardson & Sons, a company that has maintained a longstanding partnership with UM. Through its charitable arm, the Richardson Foundation, the company and family has made a significant impact across the university.  

All students deliver a pitch in the first round of competition. Photo by Adam Dolman.

Hosted by the Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship, the CPHR Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition takes place twice a year, giving over 800 students the chance to take the plunge and make a pitch. The competition provides students from across the University of Manitoba with an opportunity to work together to learn the fine art of business creation.

Over 400 students participated in this instalment of the CPHR Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition. Photo by Adam Dolman.

The Winter 2025 competition, generously sponsored by CPHR Manitoba, took place last month, bringing together over 400 students—from Asper (ENTR 2030), and from a variety of other faculties (ENTR 2020), including science, engineering, arts, agriculture, kinesiology and recreational management—to test their creative thinking and sharpen their presentation skills.

Building confidence, gaining perspective through unique student experiences

Asper student Avery Penner participated in the competition this year and highlights the value of the course from day one of syllabus review to the big presentation day.

“I think the biggest skill I learned from this process was just the openness to new ideas and discovering things around me that I wouldn’t have anticipated or expected before. And just diving into those ideas,” said Penner.

Students receive feedback from industry judges and entrepreneurs. Photo by Adam Dolman.

Students spend the first eight weeks of class learning the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and devising their own innovative ventures—apps to help young professionals better access the gig economy, cutting-edge recycling products and programing, and anything else they can dream up and research in a small group.

Penner, who hopes to pursue a career in marketing, notes that the course is applicable whether or not students see entrepreneurship as their primary career path.

“I believe that entrepreneurship really brings the side of creativity to marketing skills and the ability to think outside the box,” she said.

Fellow student Sarah Simcoe echoes this sentiment, noting that the biggest skill she gained from the course was a broader perspective. “It would probably be being able to look at the situations around me and see opportunities rather than having a closed outlook,” she said.

Fostering a strong future for Canadian entrepreneurship

One of the course instructors, and a serial entrepreneur himself, Matt Schaubroeck [MBA/15] works with entrepreneurs every day at his firm Leverage Point Consulting. He highlights the applicability of this type of communication to any career path.

“Learning how to communicate in this type of environment, it is a lot of pressure,” he acknowledges, “but it is something that you will use over and over again in your life.”

Since Fall 2019, the CPHR Pitch Competition has sought to inspire entrepreneurial spirit in all students, those who will start multiple ventures in their career, and those who will continue down career paths in business, science, arts, and more.

Junyon Im celebrates with students on stage. Photo by Adam Dolman.

Course instructor and Assistant Professor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Junyon Im shares what he hopes students learn in through this experience:

“One thing I want to emphasize to my students is that every student has the potential to become an entrepreneur by having the right mindset, by developing new ideas, and more importantly, by focusing on actions.”

—

The Asper School of Business is a hub for entrepreneurial mindset and expertise, offering unique courses, valuable resources, and unmatched connectivity to Manitoba’s entrepreneurial ecosystem in both the Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) entrepreneurship major and an entrepreneurship-themed MBA.                                                                                          

Learn more about entrepreneurship resources—one-on-one startup coaching, access to competitions around the world, expert webinars, and more—by connecting with the Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship today.

In deadline-driven case and academic competitions, students work against the clock to come up with compelling presentations that respond to real-world business issues, preparing to answer any question the judges throw to them.

But this experience extends far beyond presentations, with months of preparation and lasting impact after the podium is populated and the awards are presented. These competitions test agility as much as they do perseverance, and they are experiences built on community connections within and beyond the team.

JDC West, a business education in giving back

Take JDC West for instance, Western Canada’s largest business case competition hosted this year in Calgary by the Haskayne School of Business.

Evan Adair, BComm student and one of Team Asper’s captains, explains how the year-long process of preparing for JDC West goes well beyond academics.

“The thing that defines JDC West for me is the community. Obviously, we take the academic portions very seriously—we have rigorous training, plenty of workshops throughout the year, and very qualified coaches and industry experts.

“But JDC is also so much more. Our team logged a total of over 2,200 volunteer hours before the competition, partnering with six local charities,” he says.

These organizations include Harvest Manitoba, Koats for Kids, and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Team Asper, made up of 46 BComm students, finished first in the finance competition (and skit night), and third in debate, operations management, and not-for-profit.

Fellow Team Asper captain Grace Cook says that the results are exciting, but the team’s progress is even more so.

“A lot of students on the team had no case experience when we started, and seeing all those students giving killer presentations and showcasing so much knowledge in their fields was such a highlight,” she says.

MBA Games 2025, a Stu Clark Graduate School record

At the graduate level, a small but mighty Stu Clark Graduate School team finished third overall in the annual MBA Games, a competition of academics, athletics, and spirit.

Team captain Oluwagbotemi Dada shares that it was a record-setting year. “This is the first time that Asper achieved a podium finish in the MBA Games, which is super impressive considering that we were the smallest team there with only 15 members,” she says.

Much like JDC West, the MBA Games features a charitable component, with Team Asper showing up and contributing to the over $29,000 raised for Canada Learning Code, a national not-for-profit that designs programs for those who have been historically underrepresented in tech—Team Asper finished second in the Canada Learning Code Case Competition (Bamibo Isichei, Sharib Jalis, Sravani Kalva).

“It was all about doing more with less,” she says, referring to a team small in numbers but big in passion.

—

As part of the Asper School of Business’ commitment to experiential learning, business and case competitions offer students the chance to apply their in-class knowledge to real-world business problems, all while making strong connections to industry experts and practitioners in Manitoba and beyond. Learn more about experiential learning opportunities in our professional graduate programs and see what M Business is all about.

—

This February, nine graduate teams from across Canada will bring their strategic acumen to the Asper School of Business for the third annual Asper Business Case Competition. Stay up to date with all the excitement—the cases, the competitors, and the experience—by following @asper_bcc on Instagram.

In 2024, the Asper Exchange Program signed 12 new partnerships, continuing to expand options for students with over 60 business school partners in over 30 countries around the world.

For the first time, Asper students can study in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and have not one but two options in Scotland (Edinburgh and Glasgow). They also have access to new partner schools in France, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Slovakia, and Spain.

The language of home

Helin Emre may be one of the first Asper students to attend Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey, but for her, it was a return home.

Emre moved to Canada from Turkey as a child and wanted to experience living there as an adult while advancing her studies.

She describes her wonder at the famous Cappadocia hot air balloons, the liveliness of Istanbul, and the gravity of the Blue Mosque. She wandered Mardin, marveling at the architecture against the backdrop of conversations in Kurdish (her native tongue).

Emre explains how the enriching cultural exchange impacted her studies in actuarial mathematics as well. “In terms of academics, the biggest opportunity was learning about my field of study in a different light and cultural lens, allowing me to access new perspectives and a global knowledge,” she says.

“I would definitely recommend doing an exchange to other Asper students. Not only do you learn tons about yourself, but you meet incredible people and are put in an environment where it’s necessary to learn and grow as both a student and individual,” she adds.

From the islands to the city

As the first Asper student to study at Taylor’s University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sophia Ali was nervous but excited.

“It felt scary at first because I didn’t know what to expect,” she recalls.

But Ali had done her research, selecting Taylor’s in part because of cost-effectiveness and because she had a loftier goal in mind for her exchange trip.

“I saw it as an opportunity to broaden my perspective on different cultures and to gain the knowledge of what it’s like to live in another country,” she says.

Once she arrived, Ali felt her apprehension dissipate as she connected with exchange students from other countries and explored the country. She navigated the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur and found ease amid the country’s many islands and beaches.

Having returned from her exchange, Ali looks forward to sharing her experience—the nerves of the first few days and the subsequent exploration and enjoyment—with her peers.

“It honestly was exciting to be the first student to go to Taylor’s as I am now able to help future students who someday want to study in Malaysia,” she says.

Places shaped by time

Moving between the Kenting coastline, the peaks of the Alishan Range, the serenity of Sun Moon Lake, and the urban centre of Taipei, Shiloh Liu spent her exchange familiarizing herself with both the natural and cultural landscapes of Taiwan.

Studying at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in Tainan, Taiwan, Liu hoped to expand her understanding of Taiwan’s political and cultural history.

With aspirations of pursuing her CPA designation, Liu also wanted to bolster her knowledge from a global point of view. She recounts courses that brought in high-level professionals from industry, academia, and government.

“This allowed us to understand how theoretical knowledge is applied in the real world, particularly in the field of accounting and data management,” she says.

She shares how she wasn’t just the first Asper student to study at NCKU, but also the only Canadian student there that term.

“I felt honoured to be part of such a diverse exchange program. While most exchange students were from France and Germany, only three of us were from North America—two from the US and me, representing Canada.

“It was a unique and enriching experience to interact with students from different parts of the world,” she says.

—

With new partner schools and more relationships built each year, the Asper Exchange Program brings the best in experiential learning around the world, giving students the chance to deepen their business knowledge, test out their independence, and make incredible global connections.

Applications for Summer 2025, Fall 2025, and Winter 2026 are now open until January 31, 2025. Visit the Asper Exchange Program page to learn more about applying today.

She isn’t thinking about the hours of practice and case preparation; she isn’t worried about being “too much” (a holdover from a lifetime of being a big talker); she isn’t fixated on the ideas that didn’t make the cut; and she isn’t second-guessing her delivery.

No, as Francis puts it, when she is presenting, everything else goes away.

“I honestly hit a state of flow,” she says. “It feels like I’m just having a conversation with the judges.”

When she finishes a strong introduction or a persuasive pitch, she knows when she has crushed it. Looking to coaches for the confirmatory thumbs up is all she needs.

“I feel on top of the world and like I can do anything after public speaking,” she says.

This year at the Business and Management Case Competition (BMCC), hosted by the Universidad Panamerica in Guadalajara, Mexico, Francis’ gift of gab earned her an individual honour as the 2024 competition’s Best Presenter.

“I always joke that I’ve been practicing for this for 20 years,” she says. “Anyone who knows me—certainly my parents—know that I am always talking; if someone will listen, I’ll talk.

“Earning that recognition was very cool because sometimes being talkative can be viewed as a negative, but with case, you’re rewarded for being good at communicating. People listen to hear you talk, and they’re very engaged.”

Since her first case competition last year, Francis has been feeling this fit with case competitions (although case found her rather than the other way around).

After her instructor, Rakesh Mittoo (Sessional Instructor, Business Administration) recommended her for the 2023 Intercollegiate Business Competition (Smith School of Business), Francis dove into case, participating in the 2024 selection weekends, earning a place on the BMCC team, and dedicating hours to preparing for this dynamic international competition.

“We did a lot of research into the Mexican business environment to understand what was unique about this context and how it might be different from what we know about the Canadian business landscape,” she explains.

Months later, she and her team of fellow BComm students tackled problems like how to help a Mexican candy company expand into Chinese markets, how to grapple with the ethical quandaries of animal welfare in farming, and how to get Lucha Libre wrestling culture into digital markets without losing the in-person intensity.

Francis shares the highs and lows of case, the sum total of which keeps her coming back since her first competition last year. Her tips for success? Prioritize sleep even in crunch time, eat well, take that 10-minute break (especially poolside in Mexico), don’t take things too personally, and most important: remember what you practiced and focus on the goal.

“When it gets hard, keeping your eye on the prize is important. We haven’t done all these practices for nothing, and we’re here to work together to present the best possible case we can,” she says.

Post-competition, Francis has had time to see the real impact of her case career so far as she works her way through law school applications.

“I had no clue that it would help me so much, but here I am writing these applications and being able to lean on all these experiences and see how everything—case, my BComm, public speaking—ties perfectly into my journey,” she says.

In those moments when Francis was presenting in Mexico, when doubts and anxieties fell away, all that was left was a talented, passionate public speaker who learned through case to trust her practice, her process, and her delivery. It was just her and the judges, and as one judge said of her award-winning delivery, it was ‘captivating.’

—

Experiential learning is a cornerstone of any Asper School of Business Bachelor of Commerce journey. From a robust internal and external case competition season to co-op work placements, international exchange, entrepreneurship, and the Price student-managed investment fund, there is something at Asper for every student and every career path. Learn more about undergraduate programs at Asper today.

An old language brings A New Hope 
Creatures across galaxies both near and far, far away celebrated the world premiere of the Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) version of Star Wars: A New Hope. Cary Miller, Assistant Professor, Department of Indigenous Studies, served as one of the project leads and Patricia Ningewance, Assistant Professor, Department of Indigenous Studies, was the lead translator. The movie trailer uses behind-the-scenes and interview footage shot by UM Film Studies students. 

Our herd moves the world 
In September, President Michael Benarroch penned a bold letter to Manitobans inviting them to see the Bisons at the centre of every industry in our province: from entrepreneurship, to finance, health care, Reconciliation, human rights, the arts and so much more. It kicks off UM’s first reputational campaign in ten years, designed to attract more Bisons to the university. 

Giving the best shots 
Thanks to the largest federal research investment in its history, UM will soon be home to two world-leading vaccine and biomanufacturing facilities. Manitoba’s first Containment Level 3 lab, to be located on the Bannatyne campus, will provide pre-clinical vaccine testing against high-risk pathogens of concern in a safe and secure environment. A second biosecure facility on the Fort Garry campus will develop new vaccines and approaches to improve the reliability and speed of biomanufacturing at scale. 

A defining moment 
Master of Human Rights student Nabil Iqbal is drawing attention to climate refugees in his graduate research – a rapidly expanding group who don’t have a legal definition and therefore can’t receive protection under law. With current estimates saying 2.8 billion people will face severe ecological threats by 2050, his work could have ground-breaking impact. 

Top of their class 
Seven UM students graduated this year at Spring and Fall Convocation with Governor General’s Academic Medals for outstanding achievement at their level of study. From taking risks in the name of learning to keeping an open mind, these bison are ready and able to take on the world. 

In solidarity 
A new scholarship is creating community through the shared experience of losing a family member. Alum Justin Price created a memorial fund in honour of his mother that is now supporting students who, like him, had to balance the pressures of school with the weight of grief. 

Equality and inclusion through education 
This October, 19 Indigenous teachers from St. Theresa Point First Nation graduated from an innovative post-baccalaureate program designed to respond specifically to community-identified needs, rather than starting from pre-determined requirements. Educators from St. Theresa studied culturally relevant assessment and instruction with a focus on inclusion and academics; Reconciliation in working with parents/families; the history and impact of residential schools; and trauma-informed pedagogy. 

A partnership with global reach 
UM has received more funding (over $450 million) from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation than any Canadian post-secondary institution. This year, an additional donation of $12.5 million will expand the work of the Institute for Global Public Health to improve availability and access to reproductive, maternal and newborn health services in Africa and Pakistan. 

Five distinguishing faces 
A core group of UM alumni received the honour of a Distinguished Alumni Award for pushing the envelope in business, community health, research, community service and storytelling. At a sold-out gala event, they were shown to be some of UM’s best and brightest Bisons.  

Learning through adventure 
Savouring a pastel de nata in Portugal or climbing Sugarloaf Mountain in Brazil – glorious! All while completing a business degree – even better! Over 100 Asper students spent the past year travelling the world while studying at partner business schools through the faculty’s exchange program, gaining a truly transformative professional and personal experience. 

Flores, an actuarial major and 2022 Co-op Student of the Year, completed a co-op term at Wawanesa in 2022. From her first day in the office, she felt a special connection to the organization. First-day nerves abated the more time she spent in the office, guided by her co-op buddy, an Asper alum himself.

“It was clear from the beginning how special the culture was at Wawanesa. The more I met people and interacted with them, I very much felt those nerves and that tension releasing,” she says.

Day to day, Flores conducted analyses to address stakeholder questions and concerns, refreshed reports and documented notable insights, all while supporting full-time analysts. She’s most proud of creating a report that measured the impacts rate changes have on Wawanesa’s competitive position in the market, demonstrating her ability to work independently and learn quickly.

The more she contributed, the more she knew for certain that Wawanesa was where she wanted to stay. That certainty and comfort came from the company culture, the patience and warmth of her mentors and from her own drive to make a positive impact.

Flores, who began a small electronics and office supply recycling program at Wawanesa’s previous location, suggests that this orientation toward positive change is common among co-op students.

“Co-op students offer a fresh perspective informed by their experience,” she says. “I bring my whole, authentic self to work; I’m not there strictly as an actuarial analyst—I’m still very much a person, and with that I bring my values. That means considering the social and environmental implications of the work we do.”

This perspective is encouraged in the Asper Co-op Program’s award-winning curriculum, which instructs students to seek opportunities to advance UN sustainable development goals in their work placements.

For Flores, this focus creates strong connections between employers and students in shared pursuit of greater improvement for all. “We want to take action, take the next step and help the company succeed, not for the advancement of our own careers, but to push the needle in the right direction, make the world a little better,” she says.

She reflects on the qualities of a good co-op employer and, in turn, a good co-op student. Of the latter, she encourages all students to proceed with a growth mindset, where they are ready to learn and prepared to make mistakes, be corrected and improve.

“An employer, on the other hand, that empowers and enables their students,” she explains, “is, by my standards, above and beyond.”

As she finds herself soon on the other side of the student-to-employer threshold, Flores realizes she may never be able to adequately pay her managers, mentors and employers back for all the ways they have supported her. She also realizes that co-op employers may themselves be paying it forward rather than paying it back.

“As business students and emerging professionals, we can pay it forward by helping the people coming in behind us. If I can be that person—that mentor—for someone else one day, it would feel very fulfilling,” she says.

Jacinda Flores was a co-op student with a plan: pursue co-op, make a connection and do her best to show an organization like Wawanesa why she would make an incredible permanent employee, all while striving to make a positive impact in the workplace and the world.

Co-op was always part of Flores’ plan, and one thing she has learned on this journey is that the benefits of co-operative education and experiential learning at the Asper School of Business reach students and employers alike.

—

Each year the Asper Co-op Program matches hundreds of BComm, MBA, MFin and MSCM students with organizations across Manitoba and Canada, connecting top employers to Manitoba’s top talent. Check out our top six reasons to hire an Asper co-op student here.

Ready to hire an Asper co-op student now? Visit our Information for Employers page to find out your next steps.

From April 22 to 26, 19 Asper MBA candidates travelled to the Republic of Mauritius, an island nation about 2,000 km off the coast of Madagascar, for the annual MBA study tour.

Led by Dr. Barry Prentice, Professor of Supply Chain Management and Director of the UM Transport Institute, and Dr. Srimantoorao S. Appadoo, Department Head and Professor of Supply Chain Management, the study tour is an applied international learning excursion, where students see first-hand the challenges and opportunities of international business.

Before arriving, students spent class time learning about Mauritius—its transition from a sugarcane producer to an increasingly diversified economy, its complex telecommunications, banking and ecotourism industries and its efforts to balance economic pursuits and ecological responsibility.

They followed a packed itinerary with visits to denim manufacturer Firemount Textiles Ltd, the Economic Development Board (EDB) of Mauritius and the Bank of Mauritius Museum, as well as a two-day experience with the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation.

Students also spent a full day with Mauritius Telecom with their visit broadcast on the local news. They saw the role the organization has played in driving economic growth, investing in telecommunication infrastructure to enable businesses to thrive in a digital age.

For MBA student and engineer Elliot Codispodi, the study tour revealed the balance between preservation and progress, something that became particularly clear during a visit to the MV Wakashio oil spill site.

“We visited the site nearly four years after the spill. I have to say, as someone who has seen much of the world, this site was among the most beautiful I have ever seen. This may not have been the case if the community of Mauritian citizens and NGOs hadn’t quickly banded together to contain and clean up the spill,” he explains.

Beyond the first-hand knowledge of the country the trip facilitated, he also notes that it was an incredible opportunity to connect with his peers, professors and more.

“Experiences like this give you the opportunity to get to know your classmates and professors in a way that just isn’t possible in the classroom. Many of us didn’t know each other well but became fast friends on the trip.

“We were also given access to CEOs and key executives of some of Mauritius’ most important companies, and many of us exchanged contacts. These seeds that we planted may not bear any fruit, but you never know when these encounters can lead to life changing opportunities months, even years, down the line.”

Recent MBA alum and financial risk associate Pinaz Mehta [MBA/24] recalls the tree-planting as a highlight, also noting her interest in the unique fiscal policies and planning the country takes on as a Small Island Developing State and the opportunities for economic development that their EDB is leading.

As part of the course, students develop and present on such opportunities for an audience of local business leaders and experts. As Mehta puts it, “this project provides us with a global perspective, an understanding of diverse markets, and it allows us to develop cross-cultural competencies.”

Flash flooding interrupted students’ prepared presentations at the University of Mauritius, but with all their site visits, they still had chances to discuss these topics with leaders and community members.

Mehta, whose team prepared a presentation on airships and their potential in ecotourism in Mauritius, says that the project significantly contributed to her learning. “Such a task makes you aware of aspects you may take for granted living in Canada or how things may work differently in other countries, emphasizing context-specific problem solving.” Students saw firsthand how well their plans for economic growth fit into a Mauritian context.

As students learned during their tree-planting expedition, the conditions for growth require knowledge of the local environment and a long-term vision that pursues preservation with progress and ecological protection with economic opportunities.

—

The Asper MBA program is designed to meet the market-driven needs of today’s industry professionals. With one of the most flexible and adaptable programs in Canada, the Asper MBA program is designed to help students build their leadership skills in any field. Take the first step in transforming your career today, and learn more here.