SPbGASU students became winners of the International Student Olympiad in Economics
SPbGASU students of the “Management” area of studies Dmitry Sergeyev, Alina Sergienko, Natalya Timofeyeva and Andrey Strochik became winners of the International Student Olympiad “Economics and Management” in the section of “Transformation of Logistics and Supply Chain Management in the Digital Economy”. The event was held from October 28 to November 2 at St. Petersburg State University of Economics.
Prize-winning students with the team leader Natalia G. Pletneva
According to Natalya G. Pletneva, professor of the Department of Management in Construction and the team leader, the competition is very prestigious:
“It has been held since 1988 with support of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science and the Fund for Supporting International Business Cooperation. In addition to competitions, lectures, round tables and master classes were led by foreign and domestic experts as part of the Olympiad. Our students are participating in this Olympiad for the fourth time, and today we are happy to see such a high result.”
The goal of the Olympiad is to motivate students to acquire the skills to independently solve complex problems, take into account the realities of the modern economy and learn effective team working.
More about the prize winners
Natalya Timofeyeva (received a 3rd degree diploma) shares her impressions of participation:
“I liked that there was a lot of students and really interesting questions, to answer which I had to recollect everything that I’ve ever learrned. For example, on the second day, we were split, assembled in groups and given cases for discussion. We met with guys from other universities, exchanged views. This system helped to take a look at familiar things from a different angle, to learn something new."
Another participant, Andrey Strochik (recipient of a 2nd degree diploma), agrees that the format of the Olympiad is quite fortunate:
“In fact, through all its time you communicate with people whom you have not known before, make new acquaintances, and collaborate with them for a common goal. It’s great that each team has chosen its own strategy. Our team preferred brainstorming, that is, all six members of the group worked, complementing each other.”
Also, Natalya Timofeyeva’s essay was acknowledged the best in the competition. It focuses on digital logistics and its impact on the delivery: how customers can opt out of intermediaries and carriers through digitalization of logistics. As a task, the participants had not only to give recommendations on how to improve the chain, but also to reasonably explain why the proposed option would be useful.
Students are sure that the considered cases may well have a practical embodiment and be embedded in existing logistics.
“When we consider the material in lectures, everything seems too theoretical, and it is not always clear how to apply it. But in the case of the Olympiad, the secondary things go by the wayside, and you begin to understand how the scheme will work in real life,” added Natalya Timofeyeva.
Text: Alexandra Podolnikova
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