Bissett Insider

Bissett Professor Jacqueline Musabende introduces new form of experiential learning in International Marketing course

Professor Jacqueline Musabende is excited to announce her most recent teaching and learning innovation for her International Business class (INBU 3302): “High Impact Teaching Strategies, Real world case enhanced by Innovative Technology.”

Jacqueline notes that Bissett School of Business is now part of a select group of Canadian Universities that have collaborated  with CUSO International, a not-for-profit development organization funded in part by the Canadian Government through Global Affairs Canada. CUSO International is currently working with the Chamber of Commerce, in Quibdó Colombia and as a result of this partnership, Bissett International Marketing students are working with 13 SMEs, advising and developing an International Marketing Plan with the end goal of developing strategy to help transform these domestic entities into global trade players.

Colombian companies that are participating are diverse in scope and industry, ranging from service providers (tourism, food and beverage industry- craft beer, chocolate), manufacturing (canneries, household good, fashion, crafts),  and farming (fruits, coffee, cocoa).

“The lesson plan methodology assimilates textbook material, technology (Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, 3-D Printing design solutions), social media (Going Viral, 360 Camera), international teleconferencing and strategic market analytics as part of a real world problem solving project.”

“Each set of decisions students make as part of a comprehensive set of deliverables and outcomes are vetted and assessed by CUSO and Colombian partners. The feedback students receive from the international stakeholders and participants take place in real time and provide the foundation for adjustments in market research and future steps in the project. The meta-cognitive strategies through self-reflection, complete their learning process.” – Dr. Jacqueline Musabende

Jacqueline also points out that this teaching innovation serves a broader purpose in that it ties together these goals of Mount Royal University:

innovation in teaching through experiential methods implemented in the classroom, removing the high cost and risk of field schools in the context of a more inclusive education opportunity for all students.

–  internationalization, as students take another step towards becoming global citizens and ambassadors of Canadian goodwill.

Dr. Musabende would like to extend her thanks and gratitude to the staff at the Riddell Library for their support in this project.

For more information on the E-Volunteers CUSO Program, click here