A Year of Learning: MMIE Journey 2020–2021
The Covid-19 outbreak was very hard and challenging. However, it provided an excellent opportunity for introspection in order to figure out how to spend the following two decades of one’s life.
I completed my master's sometime back and did not get a chance to go back to school. Thus, I decided to do my second master's in this epidemic year. However, choosing WHAT and WHERE to study was the next challenge. I have always been a strong believer in lifelong learning and continue to be one. There were three programs that I narrowed my search to and then submitted applications to:
- Sustainable Mobility Management (MBA) at “Technische Universität Berlin”
- Professional Master of Public Administration (MPA) at Queen’s University
- Master of Management Innovation & Entrepreneurship (MMIE) at Queen’s University
My pick reflects my enthusiasm for innovation, public policy, and mobility. However, the next great difficulty came when I received acceptance letters from all three of them. All of these schools and courses are of the best quality. I decided to pick innovation and entrepreneurship as I have big respect for entrepreneurs and loved the journey of #Shari Hughson, former director of the program.
I started my journey with Smith School of Business, Queen’s University in August 2021 and enrolled in the Master of Management Innovation & Entrepreneurship (MMIE) Program. I am thrilled to announce that I completed my Master’s degree (GPA 4.23/4.30) while working full-time, managing my consulting business, and caring for my young twins.
The curriculum included three in-person boot camps, but due to pandemics, the entire program was virtual. As a result, I had to put some effort in order to capitalize on this chance. Without a question, this has been a transforming year for me. I met some of the most wonderful individuals, learned a lot, found a great mentor, and worked with some of the best classmates). In total participated in 6 competitions and the final tally is (1 Gold and 3 Silvers).
COMPETITIONS:
Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC) 2021 (3rd Place — Canada Final’s Winner Circle)
This is one of my favorite competitions, in which students from 120 universities all around the globe competed. The competition was organized by Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC). A one-day competition in which students play the role of VCs and real startups pitch for funding. hank you for prepping us for this tournament, #PeterGallant, #KarimZaidi, and #TendaiNzuma. We finished third, but it was an excellent learning experience. I had a great time working with such a creative bunch of folks (Katherine Heggtveit, Yehia Ahmed, Folarin Odunayo, Matthew Chiykowski)
Miele Case Competition 2021 (3rd Position)
Miele USA organized Miele-Smith case competition 2021 and provided the opportunity to students to work on the strategy. We finished third out of 36 participating teams. We presented our findings to #Miele USA Executive team, including the CEO. My team (Frédérique Lissoir, Shehzad Akbar, and Zaur Akhundov) deserves a special mention, as they are outliers.
World’s Challenge Challenge 2021 (Finalist) + Enactus Queen’s 2021 (3rd Position)
The World’s Challenge Challenge seeks social innovation ideas from universities worldwide, with an emphasis on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Students must first compete at the university level before they may compete at the international level. On the global level, we competed against teams from five other countries. We finished in the top ten in the competition. A special thanks to my crew (Damian McIntyre and Zaur Akhundov).
ClearCo Corporate Innovation Challenge (Winner)
ClearCo, one of Canada’s fastest-growing startups, offered corporate innovation challenges for students. The company intends to grow its services and introduce new products/services. Our team took part in the competition and came up with two new business strategies. We also had a good time developing a marketing campaign for the company. It was a lot of fun to be a part of the gang (Allen Obayagbona, Laura Amadi, Mo Zaman, Nadia Bonenfant, and Yoan Gauthier).
100 Days Challenge
Students were required to start and establish a business in 100 days with real revenue and profit. I joined the team and started LivFit Club — an online store to sell innovative fitness products. Using the Shopify shop, we brainstormed and created the dropshipping platform. We built the brand and started selling. We generated $1,250 in sales revenue in three months, with a net margin of 20%. We didn’t win anything, but we learnt a lot along the way. Congratulations to the outstanding team (Bubune Sorkpor, Miah-Marie Langlois, Mo Zaman).
Ivey MSc Digital Leadership Conference — The Case Competition
Although this was the last competition, the learning process will not end there; it will go on. We had to come up with a solution to a real-world problem. The company was in the healthcare business and required to transform technological infrastructure in the midst of the pandemic. In all, 12 teams competed in the semi-finals, with four making it to the finals. We did not make it to the finals, however, our solution was quite close to the one picked as the winner. It was a fantastic opportunity to network with top consultants and professionals. Thank you very much to the entire team (Alex Blair, Alix Fraleigh, Amanda Labadie, and Frédérique Lissoir) for your efforts.
SOCIETIES AND CLUBS:
Queen’s University Alternative Assets Fund (QUAAF)
QUAAF is Canada’s first student-directed hedge fund portfolio, managing $460,000 in endowment money. The fund was established in 2011 and serves as an excellent learning platform for students. I joined the fund as Director — Ventures to pursue the board to invest in startups and private companies. We intended to seek funds from alumni and invest a little amount in the pre-seed and seed stages. Our plan was not accepted, but it sparked a lot of curiosity among the students.
inQUbate is Canada’s first student-run artificial intelligence startup incubator initiative. The inQUbate Junior program focuses on developing enterprises from the concept stage to the MVP stage. As Venture Manager at inQUbate Junior, I help young entrepreneurs turn their ideas into reality.
The Queen’s Innovation Centre Summer Initiative (QICSI)
QICSI is a 16-week fixed cohort incubator program in which founders receive free training, coaching, and office space to help them launch their own venture. The students receive support to develop their venture from Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre advisers, mentors, and employees. It was a fantastic experience since I got to meet some lovely people and put my vision into life.
CERTIFICATION:
Impact Investments: Climate, Diversity & Indigenous Investments (MGBP951) — a special summer enrichment program 2021. It is designed to explore the impact of investment management during changing goals and purposes, against the backdrop of the current global pandemic and rising interest in linking investments with other goals. It was an opportunity to work with students from other programs (MFIN, MBA, MMAI, MMIE etc.).
Certificate in Social Impact (CSI), focusing on impact investment and social innovation. The certificate is an elective program offered by the Centre for Social Innovation.
I had an incredible year because I got the opportunity to learn from some of the world’s most creative brains. I am extremely fortunate that this journey will continue since I have joined as a Student Advisor at Queen’s University’s Smith School of Business to support the next MMIE cohorts. Thank you, #NusaFain, for your faith and confidence.
