The Final Project Recognitions Esade Alumni x Yamaha not only provide special recognition for the best final projects in the program, but also give a close-up glimpse into the topics that are attracting the interest of the up-and-coming members of the Esade community and their visions of the future, while also fostering networking among community members.
This time, sustainability, social justice, circularity and innovation in financial investing were the topics of the winning projects chosen from the best final projects by students from the 2022 graduating class in the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Double Degree in Business Administration and Law (GDB) , the University Master’s in Law (MUA) and the Master of Science (MSc). For the first time this year, the event has a new format thanks to our new sponsor, Yamaha, and the participation of the audience following the event was critical, as they contributed to choosing the top project.
At the opening, Patricia Valentí (MBA ‘02/Promociona ‘17), director of Esade Alumni, highlighted the diversity of ideas and perspectives of the young alumni this year: “As a jury member, I can say that I am impressed with the originality and quality of the projects.”
The projects were shortlisted by the direction of each program and then evaluated by the alumni on the boards of the Interest Clubs and International Chapters and the direction of Esade Alumni, bearing in mind their degree of innovation, positive impact on society and practical application. So, this recognition is possible thanks to the coordinated participation of many teams.
As the winner of this year’s edition, Xavier Endika Olabarri Narváez (MUA ‘22) won an electric Yamaha NEO scooter, while Elena Fernández López (BBA ‘22), Antonio Piña Massip (GBD ‘22), Pere Ventura Juvé (BBA ‘22) and Courtney Fay (MSc ‘22) received an experience at the Terramar Festival for two people thanks to Yamaha.
First prize went to the project “Tracking Shares: Shares Associated with an Activity Sector,” about tracking shares, an atypical instrument that is not regulated in the Spanish legal system. This study tried to address the issue in a holistic fashion by studying not only the concept of tracking shares anywhere but also in their origin, evolution, analogical figures and issues they respond to. “The fact that the alumni network decided to grant me this distinction is recognition of the consistent effort I made over these past seven years and an impetus to continue researching and contributing. At the same time, as a scholarship student, it is also recognition of the scholarship program, many of whose alumni are donors, I understand. Without the trust that the scholarship committee placed in me seven years ago, and without the economic assistance I have received, this project would probably never have come to fruition,” said Xabier Endika Olabarri Narváez.
Elena Fernández López received a special distinction for her study “Is There Room for Sustainable Fast Fashion?,” on circularity, artificial intelligence and fair trade as some of the many tools that would allow fast fashion to potentially be sustainable, but that require the cooperation of all the stakeholders involved in the market in order to be accelerated. Elena feels very proud “of being part of a community that not only has many experts in different fields and sectors but also focuses on promoting and inspiring talent so we can continue to leave a responsible mark on everything we set out to do.”
With the project “Colabo,” Antonio Piña also won a special distinction for his business idea based on a collaborative economy platform that allows goods to be rented. “I could not imagine a better reward for an entire year’s work. Then again, I think that the alumni network plays a very important role in maintaining a community united by the wonderful experiences at this institution,” he said.
Courtney Fay also received a special distinction for her project “A Circular Solution to the Dirty Problem of EV Batteries.”
The “Caritas program ‘Entities with Heart and Universities with Heart’” honorable distinction went to Pere Ventura Juvé and his project “Are Inequality and Poverty a Threat for the Future?,” which studies how we can reconduct the economy’s, and ultimately society’s, problems regarding inequalities and poverty through individual effort, collective commitment and the right political measures. “I am very grateful for having received the Caritas honorable distinction, as well as for the recognition from Esade and its community. Both of them are organizations with which I share many values, like the fact that training good professionals should go beyond the boundaries of merely educating us on the knowledge and skills that are useful for our lives and instead should also teach us to cultivate our human side, which is what makes us stand apart, with the mission of constantly improving the world in which we live, both today and in the future,” Pere said.
As the sponsor, Yamaha contributes to bringing greater value to the Young community, which is playing an increasingly prominent role in the community and represents our future. Its contribution to these recognitions is a great chance for Yamaha to be in contact with people who have the capacity to generate new ideas and to be in touch with new generations, talented people, innovation and lots of fresh ideas. Víctor González, general manager of Yamaha Motor España, wanted to congratulate the winners during his speech: “Companies need you because you will make them great in the future.”
