Michaëlle Jean challenges MBA students
At the 2014 John Molson MBA International Case Competition, Michaëlle Jean addressed the modernization and privatization of Haiti’s electrical power system. | Photo by Concordia University
Students participating in the 33rd annual John Molson MBA International Case Competition got a special surprise when Michaëlle Jean showed up to present this year’s live case.
On January 8, the former governor general of Canada and current UNESCO Special Envoy for Haiti provided teams from 36 universities with a unique opportunity to provide input on Haiti’s economic future.
A signature moment in the week-long competition — which runs until January 10 at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel — the live case is initiated by a representative of a particular company and explores an issue that organization is currently facing. For the 2014 edition, Michaëlle Jean and Haitian Minister Delegate for Energy Security Rene Jean-Jumeau addressed the modernization and privatization of Haiti’s electrical power system.
Currently, Haiti’s electricity sector is almost completely controlled by a state-owned monopoly, and comes nowhwere close to meeting the country’s needs. Only 12.5 per cent of the population have regular access.
The student teams were asked to act as private enterprises responding to a “request for proposals” from the Government of Haiti for the production, distribution and commercialization of electricity in the small Caribbean nation.
Jean, who served as the Queen's representative in Canada from 2005 to 2010, was born in Haiti and came to Canada as a refugee with her family in 1968.
The 33rd John Molson MBA International Case Competition continues until Friday, January 10. The final case is from 10:15 a.m. and 4 p.m.; the presentations will be live-streamed on the competition's website from 1:30 p.m. onwards.
Find out why JMSB's international MBA case competition is the biggest and best.