Business School students compete - and win - on global stage

If proof were ever required that our Business School students hold their own on the global stage, the recent success of the Beta Alpha Psi organisation’s University of Auckland chapter in two international competitions would be a great place to start.

Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) is an international honour society dedicated to recognising academic excellence and promoting professional development in students of accounting, finance and information systems. Along with offering students excellent networking opportunities, the society also provides valuable real-world business experience, particularly in the form of Best Practice competitions.

This year, BAP Co-President Zach Kirby and Vice-President Jayden Hunter won first place in the Innovation category at the Oceania Best Practices competition. The pair were only the third team in the University of Auckland’s history to place first in this competition, and for Zach, it was his second win in a row.

Zach and Jayden’s presentation focused on an innovative alumni mentoring programme, designed to bridge the gap between past members and students. The catchline was “Bridging generations, igniting futures”. “We have all these different generations of membership – so it’s about bringing them together to help people,” explains Zach.

The programme the pair pitched was more than just a proposal. “What differentiates this competition is that you’re expected to go back to your chapter and execute your plan in real life,” says Zach. It’s a valuable lesson, says the students’ coach Kayur Patel, who is one of the BAP Auckland chapter’s Faculty Advisers as well as a Senior Manager at PwC and a Lecturer in Information Systems and Operations Management at the University. “It teaches the students that they actually have to deliver.”

Their programme has been highly successful, building a supportive community in which alumni actively contribute to the growth of current BAP members. “It’s something our members are getting behind and enjoying,” observes Zach. “That’s meant a lot to all of us.”

The pair’s win saw them qualify for the global final of the Best Practices competition, held at the BAP annual conference in Orlando. As Jayden was unable to attend, Kotaro Ishii – the BAP Auckland chapter’s other Co-President – stepped in, and although the pair didn’t place, their presentation was very well-received. “I’ve had several American universities asking how they can replicate the programme,” says Zach.

Kotaro was also selected to participate in Project Run With It, a case competition designed to address real-world business challenges faced by non-profit organisations. He worked alongside an international team of students on a project for the Salvation Army Orlando. “Although it was hard to get the team dynamics going straight away, working in a team with people you’ve never met – all from different countries – was a really cool experience,” he says.

Kayur made his own contribution to the conference, delivering two presentations – the second was added after the first was over-subscribed – on the role of Generative AI in the accounting and finance industries. His presentation was based on his role at PwC New Zealand, where he drives Generative AI services for his clients, and on some of his lecture content in the Information Systems department at the University. Several universities have since invited Kayur to present guest lectures in America. “What this shows is that this Business School is cutting-edge in terms of the content we’re teaching our students,” he enthuses. “We punch above our weight.”

Jayden, Kotaro and Zach have already lined up professional roles after they graduate. Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) students Kotaro and Zach will both be joining law firm Minter Ellison Rudd Watts, and Bachelor of Commerce student Jayden will be joining KPMG. All three credit their experiences with BAP as pivotal in helping them enhance their employability and shape their career pathways. “There are so many different skills that you develop through the club,” notes Jayden. “It offers amazing opportunities for members to gain an understanding of what happens in the working world – and to learn more about themselves.”

Kayur agrees. “We try and design it to be as close to the real world as possible, to supplement what they learn in lectures,” he explains. “But there's a whole other range of experiences and skill sets that set them up for a lot further on than just their first job.” What BAP cultivates is self-belief, he says. “I think the biggest thing they all leave with is confidence.”

And lasting friendships. Their experiences with both the Best Practice competitions and the BAP community in general have enabled all three to form meaningful connections – not just professionally, but personally. “It’s cool that going overseas is not just about presenting our ideas – we’re coming back with all these connections and we’ve formed new partnerships or gleaned ideas from others,” observes Zach. Kotaro agrees. “The people in my team for Project Run With It are people that I’m going to be friends with for a long time,” he says. “It’s a pretty life-changing experience that you can have at university.”