Keeping up with the International Business Association 

Campus organization kicking off the fall semester with two events 

Jessica Lio // Online Editor 

 

Capilano University’s International Business Association (IBA) is gearing up for an exciting year, starting with two events in September and plans to recruit new members to the association. 

IBA President Jamie Saad told the Capilano Courier that the association plans to kick off the academic year with a social mixer on Sept. 22. 

“We’re inviting students to talk and make friends over food and drinks. If people are interested in international business, they can talk about it,” said Saad, a fourth-year student in the Bachelor of Business Administration program. 

Taking place at Library Square Public House in downtown Vancouver, the social mixer is one of many activities planned this year as IBA endeavours to create awareness and increase engagement among the CapU student body. 

While many student associations host networking events with industry professionals throughout the school year, this event will give students an opportunity to meet and learn from each other in a low-pressure social setting. In particular, first and second year students can gain insight from those who have taken upper-level International Business (IBUS) courses to determine if it’s a concentration they would like to pursue. 

Following the mixer, on Sept. 28, the IBA will be inviting interested students to attend a tour of Neptune Terminals — one of North America’s largest multi-product bulk shipping terminals, located on the North Shore. 

“Vancouver is an international city, but not a lot of people know what ports do. The purpose of the tour is to expose students to how goods move from point A to point B,” Saad explained.  

Those attending can look forward to a guided tour of the facilities, in which Neptune Terminals reveals the logistics and infrastructure behind its daily operations. 

In addition to these events, IBA is also recruiting new students to join their team. For those looking to get involved, Saad encourages students in all faculties to apply for a position in marketing or external relations, or to join the association as a representative. 

“Why not be part of an awesome group? We’re really fun to work with, but more importantly you gain real world experience,” Saad said, adding that students will benefit from the opportunity to exercise professional etiquette and form industry contacts. 

Saad initially joined IBA to gain hands-on experience with marketing and expose herself to perspectives about business outside of the classroom. As the association’s president this year, she hopes to inspire students to take an interest in international business and empower students to become community leaders, regardless of what faculty they’re studying in. 

“International business is a part of every day life. Everything you consume, purchase, read or listen to is actually related to international business,” she stated. 

This past spring semester, the IBA hosted a sustainability panel in which industry professionals from ICBC, Teck Resources, and Climate Smart discussed their organizations’ approaches to sustainable business and social responsibility.  

With students from Business, Tourism, Global Stewardship and other programs in attendance, Saad considered the spring panel a success, and hopes to create an equally impactful and relatable event in the school year to follow. 

 

For more information please visit Facebook.com/capuIBA 

Interested applicants are encouraged to email resumes to info@capuiba.ca 

All photographs c/o Harrison Liu.