11 Strathmore Bachelor of Commerce (BCOM) students returned from their one week trip to Canada’s University of British Columbia (UBC). The students enjoyed lectures from UBC top faculty on Sustainability and Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Canada’s Economy and the political System and an informative session on Canada’s Aboriginal people.

 

UBC is ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world, with a population of over fifty thousand students and five thousand faculty members in 25 faculties. The University’s Sauder Business School offers a Bachelor of Commerce degree, the course from which the Strathmore team was drawn from and is reputable in Africa.

 

While in Vancouver Canada, the team took corporate visits courtesy of the host university to ACL, Port of Vancouver and Goldcorp.  ACL is a Vancouver-headquartered technology company focused on the global fraud detection, anti-bribery and corruption, and regulatory compliance markets. The Port of Vancouver is the third largest port in North America in terms of total tonnage moved in and out of the port. Goldcorp is one of the world’s largest gold producers with headquarters in Vancouver. It was humbling to have Laurie Schultz, president and CEO of ACL give a talk to the students about what her company does dwelving on how Data Driven Audit Management makes Governance, Risk Management and Compliance (GRC) easy, asserts Graduate Assistant Faith Njaramba, who together with the Dean Dr. Wang’ombe accompanied the students to Canada.

 

Lauretta Nyaga, a third year Bcom student, was quick to describe the trip as simply amazing! Firdaus Ahmed put it as a mind blowing and eye opening experience.

 

The experience ignited a fire in me to desire more knowledge and to be able to face challenges head on’, asserts Lixel Kimeu, a third year student.

 

Cindy Orata graduating this June, appreciated the exposure of interacting with diverse people and cultures.

 

In a country where most systems work, the Strathmore team took with them many lessons. From avoiding to litter anywhere to sorting out garbage to aid in environmental sustainability efforts. The effectiveness of Vancouver’s hustle-free public transport system ignited a sea of ideas and possibilities in the young students’ mind that they hope to one day actualize in Kenya.

 

Dr. David Wang’ombe pointed out that the trip increased his students’ worldview. International opportunities challenge students to aim high outside their comfort zones and raises the yardstick for excellence.

 

All work with no play makes students dull! With this in mind, all students enjoyed a guided walking tour around the city of Vancouver. It was interesting to learn about the history of Vancouver’s China town, gas town and the town’s steam clock. Taking the aqua bus along False Creek of central Vancouver was a great experience. Not to mention a skyride to the Groose Mountains, North America’s largest aerial tramway system. The team enjoyed touring the Jericho beach and Spanish banks in Vancouver and promised to take the UBC students to awesome, sandy coastal beaches in Diani, Nyali, Tawi etc when they visit Kenya in August.

 

Strathmore School of Management and Commerce (SMC) is keen on providing well versed, motivated and all round graduates annually.

 

SMC appreciates great hosting from the Sauder team including Professor Tom Ross, Associate Professor Nancy Langton and Special projects Manager Jessie Lam.

 

Artice by Faith Njaramba.

 

 

Listen to some testimonials about the trip from videos below…