[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/mbagamesdonation.jpg” caption=”MBA students Talia Dabby and Bryan Herechuk (left) present a $10,000 cheque to MBAs Without Borders founder Tal Dehtiar while dean Paul Bates looks on.”]MBAs are motivated leaders. However, they are often unfairly categorized as being only motivated for themselves. A group of dedicated MBA students at the DeGroote School of Business last night offered a powerful demonstration that perception is untrue with a $10,000 donation to MBAs Without Borders.

The money was raised through the 2008 MBA Games, which DeGroote hosted at the beginning of January. This annual national student competition drew more than 400 MBA students from 14 schools across the country. DeGroote's Games focused on Canadian contributions to international development, encouraging MBAs to apply innovative business solutions to international development issues.

MBAs Without Borders, a not-for-profit organization that sends MBAs overseas to work with developing countries, was a partner in the Games. The organization was founded in 2004 by DeGroote graduates Tal Dehtiar and Michael Brown.

“MBAs have valuable skills which are desperately needed by businesses and NGOs working in developing countries. MBAs are enablers, whether through teaching local entrepreneurs, helping to develop business models, or engaging the local community in business initiatives,” explains Dehtiar. “Every time we send an MBA into the field, we need to raise $10,000 to support a local business or NGO. This donation will enable us to build our programs and support economic prosperity in the developing world.”

“Organizing the Games around the theme of international development gave us the opportunity to promote ethical practices, charitable donations and environmental responsibility among the next generation of business leaders,” explains student Bryan Herechuk.