NMMU Business School Welcomes 2012 MBA, BBA and ABP First Year Students at Annual Team Building Event
The 7th of February 2012 marked the day on which all first year MBA, BBA and ABP students would have to don their finest sneakers and workout gear to compete in their groups for the annual first year Team Building event, hosted at the NMMU Second Avenue Campus soccer fields.
This year’s event differed from previous years as it saw more than 160 MBA, BBA and ABP students from all four centres gathered together, making it the largest group of accepted first year students in NMMU Business School history. The students were divided into 28 groups. Group members were selected according to their industry, professional expertise and programme, resulting in a simulated version of a workplace management team.
Once on the sports field, the groups were made to follow a series of clues and navigate their way through an obstacle course comprising various games and sporting activities, including: playing soccer, netball and golf; racing against the clock and their opposing groups in potato, three-legged and hoola hoop races; and solving complex riddles by way of the conundrum.
The first year team building event is vitally important because of the effect that it has on the group member’s ability to establish a bond and work ethic with each other that will endure the duration of their postgraduate studies. It furthermore serves as the only occasion in the 3 year study period that all of the 2012 registered MBA, BBA and ABP students are together on the same premises at the same time.
This event takes place every year, during orientation and study visit week and serves the purpose of facilitating and fostering group cohesion, morale and camaraderie amongst students. Students can get to know each other in a fun and enjoyable manner whilst also having to work together to achieve common goals and objectives. The students were able to learn more about their group member’s weaknesses and strengths and made each other laugh endlessly. As members of a group, students will have to complete many assignments together over the course of their study period. This teambuilding event offered them the chance to nurture these partnerships and unite to strive for the “win”. Aligned on purpose, focus and bucket loads of fun? Check, check and check!
The day culminated in a presentation of the winners and a social braai, affording students the opportunity to network with their classmates from around the country. The smallest MBA group, representing George, took top honours having scored the highest number of points across the day’s obstacles and games. They were followed by Port Elizabeth’s Group 20 (2nd place) and East London’s Group 6 (3rd place). A special mention went out to Group 12 for obtaining a Hole in One during the golfing game.
In union is strength. Team together and everyone will achieve more. Here we go 2012!
