македонски

The ten finalist teams were invited to make oral presentations of their business plans before a panel of judges, at the venue of the State University of Tetovo, on Friday, November 21, 2008, within the Global Entrepreneurship Week. The challenge brought together 37 excited and enthusiastic students, accompanied by their tutors, from 5 faculties that were eagerly waiting to present their business plan.
Representatives from Junior Achievement, the rector of the host university, Mr. Bexheti, and Dr.Sumansky greeted the students and officially opened the competition.
The finalist teams were given approximately 5 minutes to present their business plans, followed by the 5 minutes allocated for questions from the judges.

The following criteria were taken into consideration when evaluating the business plans: Quality of the business plan, the innovativeness/creativity of the business idea, and the effectiveness of the business idea, visual aids, team spirit, problem solving skills, decision making skills, and delivery techniques. Judges were careful to apply both objective criteria (e.g., follow the rules) and subjective (was the plan reasonable, did it make sense and did it reveal an awareness of :1.) inherent limitations to start-up enterprises, 2.) resource constraints, 3.) the Macedonian economic and legal reality and 4.) appropriate Macedonian cultural context. 
The first place team received $1,000 cash, second place got $500, and three honourable mentions got $250 per team while the remaining five finalists each got $100.
The team City Wash Centre, from the State University of Tetovo, vied the highest score for content (including creativity and professionalism in executing the business plan) and presentation (including a demonstration of key business traits, such as team work, leadership, and public speaking). 
The highlight of the day occurred when the US Ambassador Philip Reeker joined us in Tetovo to make a brief speech on entrepreneurship and announce the winners! Everyone in Tetovo was most happy that the Ambassador came to participate in this event.
He awarded the certificates and prizes for the students and plaques for their universities.

I’ll take this opportunity to thank everyone: Ambassador Philip Reeker, Dr. John Sumansky Fulbright Scholar, State University of Tetovo (SUT), Vice President of Strategic Planning, Misericordia University, Embassy staff from Public Affairs Office, Mr. Blake Childs, (Peace Corp volunteer) and SUT Rector Dr. Bexheti.

Jasmina Maneva Galevska

Executive Director Junior Achievement Macedonia

© JA Macedonia, 2005.