‘Nexus 2024’ by The BESC Showcases a Thrilling Array of Business Competitions!

The Bhawanipur Education Society College recently held its annual business and management event, Nexus 2024, through the Bhawanipur Entrepreneurship and Startup Training (BEST) collective on October 7, ahead of the holiday season.

With the theme ‘The Lost Card’, Nexus 2024 revolved around the dynamic motto of ‘Ideate-Innovate-Implement’, attracting more than 500 students from over 10 colleges across Kolkata. The campus buzzed with excitement as participants navigated a diverse array of challenges, spread over six distinct venues, which tested their business acumen, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.

The event featured nine competitive challenges, each tailoured to different facets of business and management. The competitions included Human Resource (Managing the Army), Management Roleplay (A Workplace Drama), Footbrawl (Football Auction), Price Paradox (The Race Against Price), Board Meeting (Group Discussion), The Card Market (Share Trading), Game of Alliance (Mergers & Acquisitions), Marketing Maverick (From Local Treasures to National Icons), and Business Uncertainty (Extempore).

The day opened with an inspiring ceremony in the Jubilee Hall, where Rector and Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Dilip Shah, shared his vision for Nexus 2024. Professor Shah captivated the audience with a story of Steve Jobs, setting an aspirational tone for the young entrepreneurs. His words were followed by a stylish ‘Corporate Fashion Show’, presented by the Collective of Fashionista, adding elegance to the proceedings. A resonant gong, evoking the thrill of the stock market, echoed through the hall, fueling participants' anticipation for the day’s events.

Managing the Army (Human Resource)

Held in Jubilee Hall, this three-round competition tested students’ ability to navigate complex HR scenarios. The rounds involved speech-based guessing games, case study presentations tackling issues like talent retention and mental health, and a final roleplay where participants, acting as HR representatives, had to handle a simulated firing with tact. Winners included the Army Institute of Management, Kolkata, followed by the Eastern India Chartered Accountants Students Association (EICASA) and Bhawanipur Education Society College (BESC).

Game of Alliance (Mergers & Acquisitions)

Room 426 became the battleground for merger strategies as participants from five colleges engaged in a silent auction to bid on companies, followed by a decision-making round based on financial insights. Teams presented their M&A decisions through a PPT, judged on presentation, financial literacy, and rebuttal skills. Bhawanipur Education Society College took first place, with St Xavier’s College and EICASA as runners-up.

Business Uncertainty (Extempore)

This high energy event held in Room 528 emphasised the importance of quick thinking and persuasive speaking. Each participant, facing a surprise business crisis, had to devise a cost and time-effective solution. The competition saw St Xavier’s University clinch first place, followed by EICASA and BESC.

Footbrawl (Football Auction)

In the Concept Hall, participants faced an intense football auction. With a limited budget assigned via lottery, teams bid on players to build their dream squads. A mid-event twist required teams to acquire their club’s jersey, rewarding the fastest with the top coach. Using FIFA ratings, teams earned points based on lineup quality. BESC emerged victorious, with Heritage Academy and IEM Kolkata taking the second and third spots.

The Card Market (Share Trading)

This Room 425 event combined quiz questions and live trading simulations, testing participants’ adaptability in fluctuating market conditions. Participants negotiated with each other, reacting to news updates. St Xavier’s University secured the top spot, followed by BESC and St Xavier’s College.

The Board Meeting (Group Discussion)

In Room 528, students tackled challenging case studies, discussing scenarios like managing a controversial guest at a high profile event or handling a discrimination lawsuit during a diversity campaign. The event encouraged critical thinking, as participants had to balance reputation management with crisis control. Shri Shikshayatan College emerged as the winner, with BESC and Sivanath Sastri College as runners-up.

Price Paradox (The Race Against Price)

Held in the Society Hall, this competition pushed participants to devise strategies for products facing price hikes, with each team defending their strategy against a Q&A session. BESC once again took the lead, followed by St Xavier’s College and EICASA.

Marketing Maverick (From Local Treasures to National Icons)

Teams representing nine colleges crafted comprehensive marketing plans for unique products from Indian states, transforming local brands into national icons. St Xavier’s College won the top spot, with Shri Shikshayatan College and BESC coming in second and third.

Management Roleplay (A Workplace Drama)

Teams enacted solutions to workplace conflicts, judged on problem-solving and delivery. St Xavier’s University earned first place, with Shri Shikshayatan College and BESC as runners-up.

The event concluded with a vibrant closing ceremony, honouring all participants as future business leaders. Subsequently, the judges shared insights, encouraging students to pursue their goals with determination. The ceremony marked the announcement of winners, showcasing the extraordinary skills of all involved. The second place overall winners were St Xavier’s College and St Xavier’s University, while The Bhawanipur Education Society College emerged as the winner. Following this, the student representatives took a moment to express their gratitude to everyone who contributed to making the event a success, marking a milestone in the professional journeys of numerous students. They also thanked the sponsors for their immense support for transforming 'Nexus 2024' into a reality.