AUK Student Wins Rocket Pitch Competition at Babson Summer Program

Empowering Tomorrow's Entrepreneurs: AUK Students Shine at Babson College

The College of Business and Economics (CBE) at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) proudly announces that marketing major Joanna Saad and her team have won the 'Rocket Pitch' competition with a software-based business idea at the prestigious Babson Build summer entrepreneurship program hosted by Babson College, USA.

Selected to represent AUK alongside Joanna was Juzar Dadu, a human resource management major. The one-week program at Babson College brought together aspiring entrepreneurs from around the world, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset through experiential learning based on Babson’s ET & A™ Methodology.

"This achievement underscores the talent and dedication of our students," said Dr. Ralph Palliam, Dean of CBE. "Attending Babson Build provided Joanna and Juzar with a unique opportunity to enhance their entrepreneurial skills, engage with like-minded peers, and bring back innovative ideas to AUK’s community. This aligns perfectly with CBE’s commitment to providing students with practical, hands-on experiences that prepare them for successful careers in business and economics."

This exceptional opportunity was made possible through a scholarship from the Babson Global Centre for Entrepreneurial Leadership (BGCEL) and the efforts of Dr. Salime Smadi, professor of organizational behavior. Dr. Salime had previously been awarded an AUK professional development grant and a partial scholarship from Babson Global to attend a Babson College training program for entrepreneurship educators.

"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to BGCEL and in particular to Ms. Kim Stanhouse, the associate director of BGCEL, for her commitment to making entrepreneurial education accessible to international students," commented Dr. Salime.
Babson College, located in Wellesley, Massachusetts, is a globally recognized leader in business education with a distinctive focus on entrepreneurship. Since its founding in 1919, Babson has been dedicated to shaping entrepreneurial leaders and change-makers who are innovative creators of economic and social value.

During Babson Build, distinguished professors engaged students in a series of workshops teaching practical skills such as crafting a value proposition and business model design, raising venture resources, marketing strategy and growth, and delivering a 'Rocket Pitch' for investors.
 
The collaboration between AUK and global partners like Babson College exemplifies AUK's commitment to providing its students with world-class opportunities and a global perspective, ensuring they are well-prepared to excel in an interconnected and dynamic world.

Joanna Saad and Juzar Dadu
  

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