ACU and Nazareth conquer the shark tank

Students from ACU’s Peter Faber Business School are collaborating with peers at Nazareth College in New York in an assessment item modelled on business reality television series Shark Tank.

They will be challenged to pitch their entrepreneurial ideas to a panel of experts which, in the case of Shark Tank successes, has generated tens of millions of dollars in sales.

“Thrust into a virtual world I commend our students, lecturers and partners at Nazareth College for embracing the Global Virtual Intercultural Program (GVIP) as an opportunity for connectivity, global citizenship, and the development of new skills such as cultural IQ,” ACU Executive Dean of the Faculty of Law and Business Professor Terri Joiner said.

“Shared values between the two Catholic higher education institutions made for a strong partnership.”

The program extends beyond a standalone assessment to allowing students from both institutions online real-time access to each other’s weekly classes taught by Nazareth’s Professor Adam Crandal and ACU’s Luigi Belmonte and Dr Andrew Papadimos. 

Having access to both units provides ACU and Nazareth students with a more holistic educational experience, equipping them with the necessary knowledge to engage in international business activities while developing key global networks.

“In an increasingly interconnected world, all jobs are international. The GVIP prepares our students with fundamental international capabilities,” Faculty of Law and Business International and Strategic Partnership Manager Maxine Bradshaw said.

“These capabilities include cross-cultural competency, tolerance, open-mindedness, empathy and communication skills.”

Through this initiative, Nazareth and ACU students are developing their teamwork skills using the CATME (Comprehensive Assessment of Team Member
Effectiveness) system. CATME helps form dynamic groups designed to develop students’ intercultural skills and resilience to work within diverse teams.

CATME also allows students to engage in formative self and peer assessment to support their skill development in teamwork and leadership, as well as giving, receiving and acting on peer-generated feedback.

In recognition of their contributions to the Global Virtual Classroom, all students will receive a joint “Certificate of Participation” signed by both universities. This will be a useful addition to their CVs in displaying to potential employers their “work-ready” skills, especially in a global marketplace.