The inaugural Claude’s Business Challenge competition at the University of West London (UWL), jointly organised and delivered by the Claude Littner Business School (CLBS), UWL Business Society and the Students’ Union, concluded on Friday 6 June with an Award Ceremony with business magnate Claude and his wife Thelma.
Fifty MBA and MSc International Business Management students competed in a series of business challenges over a two-week period for a grand prize of £10,000 for the winner and £5,000 for the runner-up generously sponsored by Claude Littner. He also awarded a special coveted personal mentoring session to the student team judged most deserving of this opportunity.
Masterminded by MBA student and UWL Business Society Co-chairperson Sanaa Sirajuddin Kazi, the competition comprised four one-day challenges for ten team of five students on business innovation, branding, sales, and business strategies. With a knockout tournament design and a panel of judges from CLBS, four teams went through to the final.
Student contestants were highly engaged throughout the whole competition and demonstrated exceptional energy, strategic thinking, creativity, and teamwork under pressure. The calibre of the student contestants and the quality of their output for the challenges in the competition was impressive.
Student Muhammad Abdullah from the winning team said, “These challenges are one of the things that set UWL apart from other universities. It was a really great experience.”
Member of the runner-up team student Opeyemi Olutayo said, “This innovative challenge brings out the best in us, the things we learnt in class and puts them into real life scenarios. I want to say thanks to UWL, because it is an experience you don’t get anywhere else. I am very grateful for this opportunity.”
Claude commented, “I am so delighted with the way the students have behaved, with the whole organisation. It has been magnificent. If this is a testament to the way business studies students, graduates and MBA students operate, we are in for a wonderful time here at Claude Littner Business School because students were and are absolutely magnificent.”
Sanaa expressed, “I am happy that I was given so much support to run this, from CLBS, the Dean, the Students’ Union, the faculty – everybody has pushed me to make it great, to make it successful. I stand here feeling extremely proud of myself and the team that have helped me organise everything.”
Dr Amelia Au-Yeung, Dean of CLBS commented, “Sanaa’s distinctive vision and unwavering dedication have been the driving forces behind this well-executed and inspiring competition. We are indebted to Claude for his exceptional generosity and continued commitment to championing future business leaders. Congratulations to all the students who took part, especially the prize winners. Your performance has made us proud, and we look forward to seeing how you carry this experience forward in your careers.”
