2006-2007

News Release

REF NO.: 6

SUBJECT: Memorial students representing Canada in Paris

DATE: September 11, 2006

Members of ACE Memorial, an entrepreneurial group at Memorial University, are representing Canada at the SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) World Cup in Paris, France from Sept. 11 – 13. 
This world-class event brings together university students from 48 countries, all competing to be the World Cup champions by showcasing outreach projects that have positively impacted their communities in the past year. More then 1000 people are attending the competition, including some of the top business executives in the world acting as judges.  
SIFE has specific criteria that the projects will be judged against, but essentially the teams are judged on the difference they are making in their community. Andrew Crocker, a member of the ACE Memorial executive team who will be competing in the World Cup, explained, “The main focus of SIFE is to help communities find entrepreneurial answers to social problems and issues.”
At home, this has meant projects aimed at rejuvenating rural communities through youth entrepreneurship, improving the business skills of immigrants, and helping small businesses in Newfoundland expand internationally. ACE Memorial members have contributed 4,397 volunteer hours to 21 different projects in the past year.
As the students prepare for the competition, their pride is evident. “We’re all excited to be going to the World Cup, but beyond that we are proud of the success we have had with our programs. We are looking forward to getting on stage and talking about what we have accomplished for our community.”
Dr. Gary Gorman, dean of the Faculty of Business, and Prof. Lynn Morrissey, faculty advisor for ACE Memorial, will be accompanying the team to the World Cup. Dr. Gorman is enthusiastic about the students’ opportunity. He said, “These students have created and delivered truly innovative programs and I’m extremely proud to see their achievements recognized at this level. They have the support of the entire Memorial community and I’m confident they will represent Canada well on the world stage”
The competition will be broadcast online at www.sife.org, and the champion will be named on Sept. 13. For more information about ACE Memorial, visit www.acememorial.com.

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