HEC Paris, LBS, IE finish in top 3 at 2016 MBAT - The "MBA Olympics"

1,500 MBA student athletes competed in 23 different sports last week-end. For the past 26 years, the “MBAT” Tournament has been held and organized at HEC Paris. Students from all over Europe left their Excel spreadsheets, market segmentations, and SPSS analyses to challenge one another in climbing, swimming, running, and other sports activities. 

A multicultural experience

This year’s MBAT gathered more than 70 nationalities from 17 leading business schools in Europe: Cambridge Judge Business School, Cass School of Management, Cranfield School of Management, ESADE, ESMT – European School of Management and Technology, Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, IE Business School – Instituto de la Empresa, IESE Business School – Universidad de Navarra, IMD, Lancaster University, LBS – London Business School, Manchester Business School, Oxford Said, RSM Erasmus – Rotterdam School of Management, Tias School for Business and Society, St. Gallen Business School, and HEC Paris. 

HEC Paris, LBS and IE business school finished in Top 3 at this year’s MBAT edition.

This student-run event provides future leaders with an unparalleled opportunity to compete, network, and celebrate in an environment that reflects an increasingly global economy.  “As multicultural workplaces are becoming the norm for many employers, the MBAT truly prepares participants for their future career through teamwork in an international context” says Sue Jean Tay, who is Co-President for HEC Paris MBAT and is leading the student body in organizing the 2016 edition of the games.

The opportunity to foster lifelong connections

26 years after its inception, the MBAT gives participants the chance not only to challenge themselves but also to create new friendships and develop their network. In this context, the organizing team launch a new initiative this year called the "All Stars"  , with a goal to make these bonds even stronger by having players from other schools in the same team. “In a regular tournament, competitiveness and pride about your own program can be strong.  The All Star Game initiative is all about having fun, integrating and creating a friendly atmosphere and fantastic experience between schools” says Paolo Durand, VP Sports for HEC Paris MBAT.

A leadership exercise

"Far from being just a sporting event, it’s the biggest gathering of MBA students in Europe" mentions Andrea Masini, Associate Dean of the HEC Paris MBA.  Accordingly, the event is fully integrated to the HEC Paris MBA curriculum to ensure its success.  More than 200 students work together every year to develop their leadership skills and manage every aspect of the MBAT from marketing, partnerships, and logistics to university relations, finance, IT and sports.