A rapid-fire teamwork challenge has placed Deakin Business School students at the forefront of a quiet revolution. One where business education is as much about empathy and collaboration as it is about mastering strategy or technical know-how.
A new kind of business education
That revolution was on full display at the Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) Annual Meeting in San Antonio, home to Project Run With It: an immersive competition that gives students just 36 hours to collaborate with peers from around the world and deliver real-world solutions for not-for-profit clients. It’s an intense, high-pressure environment, yet what consistently stands out isn’t just the outcomes, it’s how quickly students build trust, lead with empathy, and draw out the best in one another.
As BAP President Vishaka Tyagi explained, ‘None of us had ever met before, yet we had to collaborate, align our ideas, and deliver a solution under immense time pressure. It was challenging, but incredibly rewarding.’ That same spirit of connection and service extended beyond the competition floor, as Deakin students also joined Operation School Supply, a project supporting Kerr County relief efforts by helping provide essential school items to local students in need.
Building the human side of leadership
For Vice President Sarah Mortimer, the experience went beyond networking. ‘Every conversation offered a new perspective,’ she said. ‘You always leave with something new to try.’
These moments of collaboration and reflection reflect Deakin Business School’s distinctive approach. One that blends rigorous academic learning with experiences that sharpen the interpersonal and adaptive skills now recognised as essential for success in modern business. At Deakin, students don’t just learn how to lead; they learn how to listen, empathise and build communities that thrive on inclusion and trust.
Success in today’s business environment often depends on these very qualities. The ability to connect, to understand others, and to work with purpose across diverse teams. For the Deakin students in San Antonio, those lessons came to life in real time.
Global connections that shape future leaders
Experiences like Project Run With It are made possible through Deakin Business School’s commitment to forging strong international partnerships. The long-standing relationship with Beta Alpha Psi, an internationally recognised honour society with over 300 chapters and 300,000 members worldwide gives Deakin students access to exclusive platforms, global events and immersive, hands-on learning opportunities that transcend classroom boundaries.
Through this partnership, students engage directly with industry professionals, develop leadership skills, and contribute to a global community grounded in collaboration and service. Deakin is proud to be one of just nine universities in Australia to host a BAP chapter, a distinction that places its students at the centre of international conversations about innovation, integrity and inclusive leadership.
Preparing graduates who lead with empathy
In a rapidly changing world, Deakin’s partnerships ensure that students don’t just study business leadership, they experience it. Equipped with empathy, curiosity and a global mindset, they are already shaping the communities and organisations of tomorrow.
External organisations are welcome to connect with Deakin BAP Chapter to discuss any collaboration opportunities.
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Deakin BAP