This is written by Saki Pradhan, Olin College/Babson College joint degree program

That was the road that we traveled for the first day and a half for our trip to Ghana. Departing from Boston was supposed to be a nightmare that would take several hours. There were no problems. The flight across the Atlantic from Boston to London was rather non-eventful except for a little turbulence that kept chasing the flight attendants back into the galleys.

Once we got to London for our 5 hour layover we were treated to the wonders of Heathrow, a truly modern shopping facility. The airport was a rather busy place, so everyone just kind of melted into the crowds in rather wonderful manner. By the time we boarded the plane everyone was ready to get into Ghana.

Landing in Ghana came across as a bit of a shock to the senses. The tropical air and the raised humidity assaulted us as soon as the plane’s doors opened. After traveling through customs, we piled into a series of vans and traveled to the Erata Hotel. It was nearly midnight. Most of us were tired. A real bed felt like an amazing luxury.

I am faculty advisor on a truly unique MCFE opportunity that consists of a team of 6 Babson students. This MCFE consulting team was selected to work with business executives and the Rwandan Government to develop a business plan that will help to establish an English Language and Management Training Institute, initially to be established in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. The goal of the business plan will be to have the institute profitable within three years.  While it was not required, the team decided to travel to Rwanda and present its recommendations in person.

The team visiting Rwanda as part of Babson’s Management Consulting Field Experience Program will be meeting with business and government leaders throughout the week to finalize the business plan that will help launch the Rwanda English Language Institute (RELI). The Rwandan government, under President Paul Kagame, has developed a plan to help the French-speaking country become more proficient in English to assist in its economic development. RELI will play an important part in achieving this goal by focusing on middle-level managers and other professional people.

The team is also slated to meet with a group of young Rwandan women entrepreneurs this week and present an overview of Babson College, the MCFE Program and the RELI business plan at the School for Finance and Business in Kigali.

Below is a photo from tonight’s meeting at the home of the Ambassador from the U.S. to Rwanda, Stuart Symington. Also in attendance was Nicholas Cannon, the Ambassador from Great Britain to Rwanda. At his invitation, the Babson team met with Ambassador Symington to talk about the current project we are working on with Alphonse Byusa, a Rwanda entrepreneur, on creating the Rwanda English Language Institute. We also discussed the prospects of Babson being more deeply involved in helping to develop entrepreneurship in Rwanda. The more than two-hour conversation opened the door to the possibility of Babson collaborating with several existing initiatives and developing new programs in Rwanda.

In the above picture, you will find front row: (left to right) Claudia Gutierrez ‘09, Ambassador Nicholas Cannon (Great Britain), Kristen Lang ‘10, Susan Symington (wife of US ambassador); second row: Alex Souza ‘09, Kathy Byusa, Dennis Hanno; third row: Max Owen ‘09, Chris Smith ‘09, Ambassador Stuart Symington (U.S.), and Alphonse Byusa.

As many of us begin to leave campus for the Thanksgiving Break, I wanted to wish everyone the very best for the holidays. Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, I think it is a great time of the year to reflect on the people, places and activities that shape our lives. When we return after the break, it will be a sprint to the end of the semester. However, I’m sure that everyone has achieved much already this semester and over the past year that has helped you to get so close to the finish line. Celebrate these accomplishments during this break and celebrate all of the many things that I’m sure you have to be thankful for.

Personally, I will celebrate the incredible good fortune I have to be associated with a great institution like Babson. More importantly, I will celebrate and be thankful for the many relationships with great people that I’ve been able to form because of Babson. The students are the engine that drives this campus and they provide the energy that inspires the place, and me personally, to strive for new heights. Plus, you students make my job fun and incredibly rewarding. I can’t thank you enough for that!

Thanks again, and have a great Thanksgiving!

At Babson, we recently held a community forum and panel discussion with four great faculty members on the current financial crisis. Babson Faculty from the Economics, Finance, and History & Society divisions analyzed the current situation and helped attendees understand the current and future implications in the financial markets.  As the world deals with the financial problems impacting the United States and beyond, there are implications for everyone. The panel consisted of Kevin Bruyneel, Associate Professor of Politics; Diana Harrington, Distinguished Professor of Applied Investments; John Marthinsen, Professor of Economics and International Business; and was moderated by Richard Bliss, Associate Professor and Division Chair of Finance. Sponsored by Babson College and the Stephen D. Cutler Center for Investments & Finance and held in our Sorenson Theater, the panel discussion is also available in video format at http://www3.babson.edu/Newsroom/Releases/wallstreet2008talk.cfm.

The semester is off to an excellent start.  The U.S. News rankings, use of the new and improved student-centered spaces around campus,  and the fun and impactful Orientation and opening week (just to name a few…) have kicked off the academic year with some exciting buzz on campus!  Babson has also received some great recognition in the external marketplace recently.

CosmoGIRL! has ranked Babson among the 100 Best Colleges for the second year in a row.  Their final list of top colleges is based on the magazine’s previous year’s list, Princeton Review data, CosmoGIRL! Survey responses and perspectives of college experts.

Once again, Babson recent alumni have made BusinessWeek’s Best U.S. Entrepreneurs 25 and Under list. Voting to decide the Top 5 finalists is open so vote online now for your favorite Babson entrepreneurs by viewing the slide show at the BusinessWeek web site. Two Babson community members’ businesses are in the Top 25 this year, To vote, please visit the BW web site.
 
Finally, Entrepreneur magazine has ranked Babson #2 for entrepreneurship. This volatile ranking had us as #1 last year and #12 the year prior.  The ranking methodology, in partnership with Princeton Review, is based on each school’s input of key data that the magazine has deemed reflective of entrepreneurial leadership.  More info on the ranking and schools can be found at http://www.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/196870.html.

These accolades are all thanks to the great work students, faculty, staff and alumni do both inside and outside the classroom.  Thanks go out to the entire Babson Community as all of you are a big part of this recognition.  Let’s keep the train rolling!