The teams representing the University of Northern British Columbia at this year’s JDC (Jeux de Commerce) West Business Competition gave the University its most successful showing to date. UNBC took home two first-place awards as well as a second and third place finish.

The contest was held last weekend and hosted by UNBC and the City of Prince George and involved nearly 550 students from top universities across western Canada.  The three-day event included academic competitions, athletic challenges, a social competition, and a charity initiative.

UNBC’s awards:

1st place           Business Strategy
1st place           Not-for-Profit Business Strategy
2nd place          Entrepreneurship
3rd place           Human Resource Management

“The overall consensus was that this was an extremely positive event for all participants,” says UNBC student Evan Dusdal, one of the team captains. “Achieving an overall ranking of fourth out of ten teams is a great achievement, considering UNBC was the smallest school to participate.”

The event’s charitable initiative raised $168,000 to be distributed to more than 50 charities across Canada. UNBC’s team chose to donate the funds they raised to the Salvation Army.

“We estimate that the event also brought a $735,000 economic boost to the City of Prince George so it was a big deal, not only for the participants but for the entire community,” says Jonathan Gray, a UNBC student and event Co-Chair. “I would like to thank the 109 volunteers and 30 organizing committee members, without whom the competition would not have been possible.”

JDC West ended Sunday night with a Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony and a key-note address by Lieutenant-General, the Honourable Roméo Dallaire, who currently serves in the Senate of Canada.