Boost for Business School Challenge

OLD Mutual has invested N$30 000 in The Business School Challenge Simulation. The Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants in Namibia (ABAN) has hosted the challenge in conjunction with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Namibia (ICAN), over the past four years.

The game has evolved from a computer-based simulation to a board-based simulation with the first challenge being hosted during 2005. It has since grown over the years to attract schools from as far north as Rundu, with 17 schools participating from all over the country in 2007.

The challenge’s simulations aim to encourage and awaken an entrepreneurial spirit in learners and interlink knowledge gained about the running of a business with the accounting aspects thereof. The simulation brings accounting to life for the students and encourages them to pursue the field as a potential career option.

Due to the overwhelming response to the simulation over the past years, ABAN and ICAN assisted by Bluestar Business Trust, have decided to take the business school challenge simulation to the regions during 2008, to cut down on travel time for students that live far from Windhoek.

The business school challenge simulation for this year commenced in June, with the finals to be held during August/September in Windhoek. The simulation involves schools from the Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, Caprivi and Kavango regions, as well as schools from the central areas of Namibia, specifically Gobabis and its surrounding areas, Windhoek and the coastal region.

It has brought together 142 learners and is made possible by the following sponsors: Old Mutual, Institute of Chartered Accountants, Standard Bank, and the Association of Black Accountants in Namibia.