MMPA Welcomes Class 2016
In late May, the MMPA Program welcomed the 27-month stream students of Class 2016!
Prior to starting classes in early June, students had two days of orientation designed to provide a broad understanding of the MMPA program objectives and values, as well as to help familiarize them to their new environment.
Irene Wiecek and Len Brooks opened the orientation by welcoming the Class of 2016 and sharing the MMPA vision with the students. In the afternoon the plan for the new Innovation Complex – an extension of the Kaneff Building, which is home to the MMPA Program – was presented. The Innovation Complex, will provide new classrooms and study rooms for MMPA students, and a new Program Office.
Day two began with the explanation of the registrarial process and introduction of the Placement Process for the work term. In the afternoon, students were introduced to Team Dynamics designed to help students to build confidence and foster relationships. Teams were challenged to to think outside the box and use their creativity to ‘keep the egg intact’ in an egg drop contest. “It was a great interactive experience which allowed us to get to know our future classmates and recognize the importance of working efficiently as a team”, remarked MMPA 2016 student Wayne Yau.
The Orientation Finale took students to downtown Toronto, for a unique gourmet dinner at the top of the CN Tower. At 1,815.4 feet, the CN Tower is considered one of the world’s tallest free-standing structures. Students had the opportunity to mingle with MMPA alumni, professors and staff, and enjoy looking out over Toronto’s city scape and Lake Ontario. “We had only been MMPA students for two days but we already had a networking opportunity to meet the Alumni – what could be better?” Nasar Noori, Class 2016 commented.
Orientation was a fun and successful two days enjoyed by all the students. Kathleen Wan, MMPA 2016 summed it up: “It was an informative two days that helped lay out the expectations of the program academically; as well as introduced the wonderful future networking opportunities that MMPA sets up for its students”.
