UPEI Human Resources Students Top in Maritimes and Number Five in Canada

A team of students from the UPEI School of Business has carried off fifth place in EXCALIBUR, the Canadian University Tournament in Human Resources (HR). Students from 24 universities competed over two days recently to determine the top teams in Canada. Maritime universities submitted six teams but UPEI was the only team to place in the finals.

Conducted by the Human Resource Association of Quebec, EXCALIBUR evaluates the students' knowledge of HR concepts, as well as their ability to present before a panel of executives and professors. In timed exercises, the team solved problems in case studies of firms with HR issues.

Team members were Daniel Perry, Stratford; Kelly Curley, Regina; and Mark O'Halloran, Charlottetown. Sally Ripley, Charlottetown, was spare and will be a member of next year's team.

"They were competing against students from the larger universities in Canada, such as Ryerson, Laval, and Calgary which offer extensive studies in Human Resource Management," said Professor Don MacCormac who coached the team. "To place fifth among such competition reflects positively on our students and the education they receive at UPEI. This experience will further develop their confidence, and prepare them for a rewarding career."

"I am thrilled to congratulate, once more, a student team from the School of Business on achieving this highly-regarded prize in such a competitive national tournament," said Roberta MacDonald, Dean of the School of Business. "These students showcase themselves, the School, and UPEI on the national stage."

Teams from the School of Business are four-time EXCALIBUR winners. The carried off first place in 2000 and 2002, second place in 2005, and fifth place in 2006.

"The university is to be commended for continuing to develop Human Resource specialists," stated Wayne McMillan, President of HRA and a corporate sponsor of the UPEI team.