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Brain Triathlon: The World Championships
A perfect Launch!

The most anticipated event at S P Jain, The Brain Triathlon, declares its World Champions. It has indeed been the grandest of the events at S P Jain. The contest initially saw IB school students from 15 different countries participate; later 28 IB schools students from 11 different countries - UK, USA, Australia, India, China, Singapore, Qatar to name a few - were short-listed to compete for the World Championships from 24th to 26th June, 2011 at S P Jain, Singapore.

It was a perfect launch of the event. Ms Anna C. Mallon, Head of Campus, Singapore gave a welcome address to the students and congratulated them on their achievements to make it to the World Championships, at the Leadership hall. It was then followed by some fun Icebreaking activity by Mr Nitin Goil, Manager - Student Life, BBA where he asked all the students to walk up to each other, know something about them and then introduce each other. Students keenly got involved and it was indeed a joyous moment for all who witnessed the activity. After the activity, some delectable dinner was arranged for the students at the Banquet Hall.

The next day, 25th June 2011, was a highly awaited day by not only the students but also by all the individuals who had been associated in making the Brain Triathlon such a marvellous event. All the short-listed students were again given an even more challenging Aptitude Test, Quiz and Business Paper Presentation. While it was initially decided by the Jury to short-list 6 finalists for the next round of Viva, they displayed some generosity and short-listed 8 finalists as there was some real tough competition. Viva of these short-listed finalists were then conducted from which three deserving winners had to be declared by the jury based on overall performance. On the eve of this highly awaited day was the main event! The first Brain Triathlon Champion was to be announced.

The main event inaugurated with an electrifying Lion Dance - a symbol of good luck and fortune - to display glimpse of the festive culture of Singapore to all the students and counsellors who had come from various parts of the globe. Post the Lion dance, Mr Nitish Jain, President, S P Jain School of Global Management conveyed his views on the importance of 'Complete Education' and how important it is for students not just to possess knowledge but also the right mindset to apply knowledge to craft them as global business leaders. He further addressed how S P Jain has been actually following the philosophy of 'Complete Education' through its unique twin-city model BBA Program - 2 years in Singapore + 2 years in Sydney - that supports tolerance toward other cultures. He also assured the audience that The Brain Triathlon would be organized every year. Following his compelling speech, he then awarded all the short-listed finalists with a medal and certificate. It was now the most anticipated moment; 8 finalists and 3 deserving winners to be announced. It was an exciting moment for everyone in the Leadership Hall as everyone was looking forward to who the winner was. The bottom five names were first announced who did not make it, leaving just 3 students. All the three winners were then awarded prizes with their respective National Anthem playing in the background. It surely was a moment of pride for them, their counsellor and their respective country.

The names of the winners are:

The prize ceremony was then followed by a complimentary farewell dinner where all the students and counsellors shared their own experiences they had during this exciting contest of Brain triathlon.

Jury members who consented to adjudge the awards at the Brain Triathlon World Championships were:

William Gibson
William Gibson, Head of the Department of Journalism and a member of the Academic Board of Studies & Assessment at SAE Institute, Singapore has taught literature, film studies, and writing as an Assistant Professor at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, and the City University of New York. His first book, Art and Money in the Writing of Tobias Smollett (Bucknell University Press, 2007) was nominated for the Oscar Kenshur Book Prize. He has presented lectures around the world, including at Trinity College, Dublin; The Sorbonne, Paris; Columbia University, New York; and Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok.

Sara Yik
Sara Yik, Managing Director of Callahan associates, Singapore has more than 15 years of experience in management consulting and the corporate arena. Her strengths are in talent development, change management, analytical problem-solving and understanding of the Asian cultural contexts. Sara advises organizations primarily on large-scale performance transformations and leadership and talent development. Previous to this, Sara was an Associate Principal with McKinsey & Company from 2000-2007. Sara graduated from Kings College London in 1995 with a Bachelor of Laws LLB (Second Upper) and was called to the Middle Temple Bar in 1996.

James Kazakoff
James Kazakoff's career has spanned more than two decades in the technology sector in R&D engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and IT. Formerly with Hewlett Packard Company Mr Kazakoff has been involved with product development of disk storage, data storage systems, and LaserJet printers, serving in various roles including engineering, project management, and IT operations management. He holds three patents related to printing technology.

Vikram Kalloo
Vikram Kalloo is a communications and effectiveness trainer with 10 years experience in corporate and academic environments. Trained as an attorney, he recognized the necessity for career/life balance in the global workplace, and developed powerful seminars to help others lead less stressful and more empowered lives. More than one thousand executives from McKinsey, J P Morgan Chase, Novartis, Young Presidents' Organization (YPO), Adecco, Marsh have learned from Vikram's presentations, delivered in Germany, Singapore and India.

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