MOOSE JAW — Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Faculty of Business and Management celebrated its third annual student showcase last week, spotlighting the innovation, creativity, and practical skills of 80 emerging professionals from across the province.
Held on April 30 at the Saskatchewan Science Centre in Regina, the event brought together 21 student groups from all four Sask. Polytech campuses: Moose Jaw, Regina, Saskatoon, and Prince Albert. The evening provided a platform for students to present real-world business projects, network with industry experts, and demonstrate what they’ve learned.
“This was our third annual showcase, and it really celebrates innovation, creativity, and the applied skills from our students,” said Kirsten Downey, academic chair of the school’s Faculty of Business and Management.
“It provides the students an opportunity to showcase their knowledge and the real-world projects that they did throughout the year.”
Projects spanned various disciplines such as accounting, human resources, marketing, project management, insurance, supply chain management, and financial services.
One standout included a digital communications strategy crafted for Tourism Saskatchewan by Bachelor of Applied Management students, aimed at enhancing business-to-business engagement. Another project involved human resources students collaborating with the Thunder Creek Rehabilitation Association to modernize outdated job descriptions.
April Rubbelke, a student in the human resources diploma program, reflected on the experience of working directly with a community organization.
“We called the incumbent of each position and updated each job description based on our interviews,” she said. “Having accurate job descriptions makes it easier to evaluate the job the employee is doing and helps set expectations.”
Alwyn Malekar, a student who’s currently pursuing a project management post-graduate certificate, and his team analyzed the new Weyburn General Hospital project.
“I learned how public sector projects are carried out,” Malekar said. “I also gained valuable insights into the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s stakeholder management strategies and how a large-scale health care construction project is executed.”
Downey noted that the event has grown significantly since its inception.
“Faculty know this is coming up every year, and they’re excited to participate in it and have their students be showcased,” she said.
The event was also a valuable touchpoint for industry engagement.
“Employers networking with students is an event highlight,” said Dean Kristen Craig in an official statement. “This is a great opportunity to learn about student projects that showcase the latest trends in business, technology, and industry, along with exciting collaborations with industry partners.”
Downey also emphasized the broader vision of the faculty: “It’s a great place for students to come and learn those essential skills that they need to hit the ground running when they get into industry. We provide them with the knowledge that’s necessary, as well as opportunities (like this) to apply their knowledge with work-integrated learning.”
Looking ahead, she hinted at a few possible improvements for next year’s event.
“We definitely are having conversations about what it will look like next year,” she said, adding that it’s still too early to confirm any specific details.
Downey closed with a message of gratitude for those who sponsored the event.
“We are grateful to our sponsors for the event — Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) Saskatchewan and HK Henderson Insurance — for their support in recognizing our students’ achievements and making the event successful.”
To learn more about the Sask. Polytech Faculty of Business and Management, visit SaskPolytech.ca or call toll-free at 1-866-467-4278.
The Sask. Polytech Moose Jaw campus is located at 600 Saskatchewan Street West.
