The IIE’s Varsity College hosts a business simulation challenge in Sandton
IIE Bachelor of Commerce and IIE Honours in Commerce students recently participated in the Business Simulation Challenge, part of The IIEs Varsity College’s Beyond the Curriculum initiative.
A three-day Business Simulation Challenge gave 35 final year IIE’s Bachelor of Commerce and IIE’s Bachelor of Honours in Commerce students a chance to turn classroom theory into practical experience.
The challenge, part of The IIE’s Varsity College’s ‘Beyond the Curriculum’ initiative, saw 11 students from the Sandton campus and 24 from the Waterfall campus putting their skills to the test.
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Guided by industry experts Paul Fletcher, master facilitator from Diversity Training SA, and faculty members Daniella Teles Amaral, head of management studies at The IIE’s Varsity College Sandton, Katie Roebert, management lecturer, and Michelle Kirsten, head of finance and accounting, the students were split into groups of three or four.
Their mission was to develop a business plan with strategies for finance and marketing.
“It was an opportunity to apply our knowledge in a real-world setting,” said Bjorn Bates, a third-year Bachelor of Commerce student from The IIE’s Varsity College Waterfall, and one of the winners.
“The challenge made me focus on strategic decisions and I had fun while learning. It was not just another seminar, it was a practical experience where theory truly came to life. I believe this should be a module in our first year.”
The students tackled the challenge by diving into critical thinking, risk management, and application, gaining insight into how businesses are run.
Fletcher ensured that students understood the expectations and assessed their business plans, focusing on how well they applied their academic learning to the task.
“This challenge epitomises what we strive for at Varsity College,” said Anto Kagisho, communications representative for the campus.
Kagisho added it was about offering students meaningful experiences that extended beyond textbooks.
“Initiatives like this equip our students to thrive in the real world.”
She explained the initiative was part of a broader effort by The IIE’s Varsity College to bridge the gap between theory and practice, giving students a competitive edge as they step into the workforce.
“As students collaborated to create their business plans, they not only gained technical knowledge but also learned teamwork, decision-making, and the importance of strategic planning, all skills crucial in the business world.”
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