IBC was a jury member in the interactive game titled "The business ideas of students - 2012" held at the International University of Kyrgyzstan.

The event was organized by the Career Support Center of EdNet Educational Network Association, Multimedia Institute of the International Academy of Education, and SIFE-team of the International University of Kyrgyzstan.

Students were divided into ten groups, which studied the problems of small and medium businesses in Kyrgyzstan. After analyzing the activities of a number of leading companies in the country, the students developed their own company models as well as business plans and proposals to ensure their sustainable development.

For the day, classrooms were turned into examples of businesses for the students to manage. One room hosted a night club, and the other became a pizzeria, while the third one turned into a roller skating rink. Each of the ten groups, the contest participants, chose a certain kind of business and calculated the costs and expected profit.

Using this method, the senior students of the Multimedia Institute passed studies on socio-economic forecasting and industry economics. EdNet coordinator Erke Turdumambetova, who teaches these subjects and offered to conduct the event, said, “Our game allows students to show their competencies in business and their ability to put their studies into practice.”

"It was as if we were in a fairy tale, The Thousand and One Nights," said one person who entered the eastern tea house. Student Meder Aitmambetov, head of the Al Hayat team, commented, "We decided not only to cook oriental dishes, but also offer meals in colorful brocade costumes in an oriental decorated room filled with enchanting music." Meder, who was dressed in glittering brocade coat and with a turban on his head, confidently defended his business plan. When answering the jury’s questions he explained how he managed to attract sponsors. His team won the first place, earning the most money - 12,165 soms, while net profit amounted to 5,165 soms.

The second place was given to the Dostuk team, which presented Kyrgyz national cuisine. "We hope our guests enjoy the national customs and traditions of hospitality of Kyrgyz people. So we have spread toshoks and shyrdaks (national carpets) on the floor and decorated the walls with paintings of local landscapes," said girls in colorful national costumes who treated guests to delicious boorsoks (Kyrgyz donuts) and other dishes which they prepared themselves according to traditional recipes.

Not all teams managed to attract sponsors. Therefore, many parents of students contributed to the event.

At the last moment, a sponsor refused to support the Little Buddha team. However, the students successfully emerged from the difficult situation and took the third place. "They have seen in practice, that a partner, supplier or colleague can betray. They gained valuable experience in delegating authority in rapidly changing situation," explained Erke Turdumambetova.

She added, "In Soviet times we were told, “Learn well, and you’ll get hired for a good job”. Now we tell our students, "Study well, and you’ll open your own business."

It was easy to convince students to participate in the game, as they always have lots of ideas, but it was difficult for them to write a business plan, and their teachers helped them. "Now they can write it with their eyes closed".

The jury member Erkin Konurbaev, Advisor for Education and Youth, USAID, was impressed by the creative ideas from students. He said, "It's very difficult to unleash the potential of a project for a few minute presentation, but the participants managed to do this."

Nasiba Tadjibaeva, Manager of the Kompanion Financial Group, expressed the jury’s opinion, "All teams deserved high marks. When I was a student, we knew nothing about business. I am sure that with such talented youth, Kyrgyzstan has a bright future."

"Once again we have seen that our students are capable to work in the real market,” added Onola Umankulova, EdNet Deputy Executive Director. “The event has proved once again that business and education should go together."

The business game participants were awarded with diplomas, certificates of appreciation and various gifts.