On March 14 and 15, Danielle Rochon, Cristina Lau, Nhu Nhat Nguyen, and (alternate) Amanda Briganti, students from the Human Resources Management program, competed in the prestigious Excalibur Tournament — the Canadian University Tournament in Human Resources. Held annually, this event allows students to compete in front of business executives, key figures in the human resources community as well as academics. This year’s event had 70 students from 23 universities. The tournament involves a series of case competitions based on real-life work situations, and judged by panels of business people and HR professionals. The Waterloo team members had been working since January with coaches Len Luksa (adjunct professor and HRM management team member) and Sean Schofield-Hurwitz, a former Excalibur competitor, and HRM managers from a number of local companies provided expert advice to the students as part of their preparation. The students’ hard work was rewarded as the Waterloo team won third prize and a $1,500 scholarship. This is the first time the Waterloo team has reached the finals.
The Psychology Department congratulates the team on this extraordinary accomplishment and extends a sincere 'thank you' to coaches Len and Sean for their support, dedication, and expert coaching. You have made us all very proud. As coach Len said, "You are winners and have created a life memory, not only for yourselves but for all of us".
Left
to
right:
Florent
Francoeur,
CHRP,
President
and
CEO
of
the
Ordre
des
CRHA
et
CRIA
du
Quebec
Amanda
Briganti
(substitute)
Sean
Schofield-Hurwitz
(coach)
Christina
Lau
Nhu
Nhat
Nguyen
Danielle
Rochon
Johanne
Aubin,
CHRP,
Chairperson
of
the
Excalibur
Committee
Press release:
The ORHRI announces the winners of Excalibur – The definitive Canada-wide event for the new generation of human resources professionals.
17 March 2008 - Members of Canada’s new generation of human resources professionals met on March 14 and 15 to take part in the 22nd Excalibur Tournament, organized by the Ordre des CRHA et CRIA du Québec (ORHRI) and supported by the Canadian Council of Human Resources Associations (CCHRA).
This exceptional human resources competition gains in popularity each and every year. The 22nd Tournament welcomed over 70 students from 23 universities all across Canada, who came to match wits in this challenging and competitive environment.
“Succession planning is a major challenge for organizations today. With the Excalibur Tournament, the ORHRI wishes to lead the way by making decision makers aware of its importance and setting an example. Each year, Quebec CHRPs and CIRCs are proud to present this one-of-a-kind event dedicated to the excellence of future generations of HR professionals,“ explained Florent Francoeur, CHRP, President and CEO of the Ordre.
Excalibur: a unique Canadian event
Excalibur is an annual event that brings together business people, key figures in the human resources community, academics and students, with one common goal in mind: to ensure the excellence of future professionals in the field.
Symbolizing both the quest for excellence and the vitality of the upcoming generation, Excalibur is a fascinating experience for students that places them squarely in the real working world this year at Avon whose business case they analyzed. Competitors participate in a number of events throughout the Tournament and their work is evaluated by some 20 juries. The Tournament is also intended to promote excellence in the teaching of human resources management in Canadian universities.
Results: the team from University of Ottawa takes first place!
The first prize, together with a $3,000 scholarship, was won by the team from University of Ottawa, composed of Arron Dobson, Rhéa Whilson and Maurice Le Maire, and accompanied by coach Jacques Barrette.
The second prize, worth $2,250, was awarded to the team from Concordia University, composed of Sara Baptiste-Brown, Graison Corney and George Nimeh, and accompanied by coach Aaron Dresner.
The third prize, including a scholarship of $1,500, went to the team from University of Waterloo, composed of Cristina Lau, Nhu Nhat Nguyen, Danielle Rochon and accompanied by coach Sean Schofield-Hurwitz.
Download photos of the event (note that this link will take you to a website in French)
Excalibur: something new for 2009!
At the closing ceremony, the Order announced that it has adopted a new more participative format for next year to take the tournament’s growing popularity into account and allow more teams to take part in the final event.
The Order would like to thank its generous partners: the Human Resources Institute of Alberta and Molson Canada.