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By Chris White, Guest Writer

Take 31 schools from across the globe, throw in an ethical debate, short shorts, a performing arts charity, and you have yourself the 2016 International Business Ethics Case Competition.

Apple in the limelight - right or wrong in this ethical debate with the law? Image courtesy BGR.

Apple in the limelight – right or wrong in this ethical debate with the law? Image courtesy BGR.

This April, five T-birds from the MGM ‘17 Spring cohort will sojourn to Cambridge, Massachusetts to debate the essence of business ethics and pit their wits against students from the UK, USA, Canada, China, Turkey and Australia. The Thunderbird team will be mentored by Dr. Melissa Samuelson (ASU W.P. Carey School of Business) and led by Vyoma Mehra (MGM ’17, India). Vyoma is particularly excited to be leading the Thunderbird team in this global competition. Asked of her particular interest, she elaborated: “I was searching online for case competition opportunities when I came across IBECC. Both the ethical and international aspects appealed to me as a T-bird, as these were the two main reasons for my coming to the school. I registered the team and we were accepted!”

Exploring topics hot off the business press, teams will be debating the rights and wrongs of issues ranging from Apple vs. the FBI in the consumer privacy debate, to Oxfam uncovering worker exploitation in America’s poultry industry. Rival teams from UC Berkeley, University of Oxford, University of Melbourne and many others will be participating so we expect fierce competition!

The IBECC biathlon fundraiser includes a 4-mile run for charity. This year's proceeds will go to The Hopkinton Centre for the Arts. To donate to a great cause, click here! Image courtesy IBECC 2016.

The IBECC biathlon fundraiser includes a 4-mile run for charity. This year’s proceeds will go to The Hopkinton Centre for the Arts. To donate to a great cause, click here! Image courtesy IBECC 2016.

Not only will our team be tested in intellectual prowess and current affairs insight, but Zoltan Nagy (MGM ’17, Hungary) and Gaurav Shetty (MGM ’17, India), will be putting their bodies on the line as they race for the title of ‘Sportiest Nerd’ in the 4-mile charity biathlon around the Charles River. “[Zoltan and I] have begun a training schedule consisting of running at the gym, running outside, and running other places, so we are feeling confident of our preparation for race day,” Gaurav assured us.

Donations to support Team Thunderbird in reaching our charity goal of $200 by 13 April can be made either by clicking here or consulting a team member. All proceeds will go to The Hopkinton Centre for the Arts, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization dedicated to building harmonious community through free services and events in the visual and performing arts. All this is part of the competition’s initiative to do tangible good for others and connect the theoretical aspects of ethics with the practical.

For more information about the competition, the charity, or for general fitness advice, feel free to speak to one of our team or visit the IBECC website.