Daily News

Posted on Jan. 30: Business brainchild incubates at McMaster

Many pipe dreams are born over pints of beer, but McMaster business students Daniel Priljeva and Constantinos Coursaris were convinced their brainchild to create a revolutionary inventory tracking system for companies, was much more than empty bar talk. A $1,000 start-up award from the Michael G. DeGroote School of Business' CampusIncubator Business Plan Challenge, is their proof. "It's the classic story starting with friends hanging out at a bar," quips project team leader Priljeva, "and someone mentioned an idea he had for selling tracking hardware and software components of companies. Winning the start-up award was confirmation that it's not only a pipe dream." Called Mission84 Networks, the seed company is developing an advanced version of an inventory tracking network (ITN). With the ITN, firms can track any item and its movement, inventory count and location with a newly enabled technology all in a true real-time setting. "But the most exciting features of this product are its exceptional capacity and seamless integration, and signs are pointing toward the ITN as being the first of like technologies to will be viable for retail settings," says Priljeva. "Imagine knowing with 100 per cent accuracy, the true inventory balance and location of every item in a warehouse and being able to plan production and sales based on this knowledge. The efficiencies at hand create real economic gains and provide visibility across the supply chain."

Posted on Jan. 30: Summer job hunt begins

Students hoping to earn some extra cash this summer should drop by the McMaster University Student Centre Marketplace today (Jan. 30). More than 30 companies are on campus to recruit students at the second annual Summer Job Fair, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Click here for the list of participants. "We have a wide range of companies in attendance with something for everyone," says Heather Hines, events and marketing coordinator in the Career Planning & Employment Centre (CPEC). The event is also a recruitment push for CPEC's peer helper program, Hines adds. In this program, students volunteer in a wide range of services offered by CPEC and the Centre for Student Development. "It's a fantastic opportunity for motivated students who want to make a difference in the lives of their fellow students," says Hines.

Posted on Jan. 29: Community meeting finds solutions to common issues

Approximately 200 people attended a local community meeting Tuesday evening to discuss the community impact of the double cohort, off-campus housing, transportation and parking and bylaw and police enforcement. Hosted at St. Mary's High School, the meeting was jointly organized by the City of Hamilton, the Ainslie Wood Westdale Community Association of Resident Homeowners (AWWCA), the President's Advisory Committee on Community Relations (PACCR), and the McMaster Students Union (MSU). It was the first time these organizations joined forces for a community meeting to talk about and find solutions to common issues they face. Facilitated breakout sessions were held on by-law and police enforcement, neighbourhood planning, including 'ASPECT', the City's secondary plan, transportation and relationship building, focusing on how the University, students and community can work together more effectively. McMaster President Peter George shared with the community how the University is preparing for the double cohort. He provided an update on enrolment numbers for next September, campus construction, and initiatives the University is taking to address traffic and parking congestion. McMaster employees and PACCR committee members addressed these topics further.

Posted on Jan. 29: M.E.S.S. sparks team spirit among employees

The McMaster Employee Spirit Society (M.E.S.S.) and Marauders basketball brought together more than 500 employees and their families to watch the men's and women's basketball games last weekend. The event, in the Ivor Wynne Centre, was sponsored and organized by M.E.S.S. The objective of the society is to promote McMaster team spirit through the organization of sporting and cultural events that encourage employees to have fun with their colleagues and families. The event featured complimentary tickets to the basketball games, including a complimentary reception, free child minding services and children's programs, face painters, draw prizes and free giveaways. The women's game featured a ceremonial tip off between McMaster President Peter George and Wilfrid Laurier University president Robert Rosehart. The men's game featured a ceremonial tip off by Social Sciences dean Alan Harrison. The national anthem for both games were performed by the MUSA Minstrels. "It was wonderful to see so many McMaster employees and their families enjoying this event," said Bob West, event co-chair. "Hopefully they became Marauder basketball fans and will return for future games." "I received very positive feedback about the day, as well as some suggestions for future events," added Pat Harris, chair of the M.E.S.S. committee. "It was a great day to be a part of." Terry Galan, event co-chair, said, "I was absolutely overwhelmed by the attendance and responses from our employees. We need to build on our success." The next M.E.S.S event is a presentation of the musical Tommy. This musical performance will be presented by the McMaster Musical Theatre on Feb. 22. Tickets and information for the event will be available soon. To volunteer with M.E.S.S. e-mail mess@mcmaster.ca or contact Anthony Celani, at ext. 23554.