About > SIFE AUT

Students In Free Enterprise

SIFE is a global, non-profit education organisation wanting to improve the standard and quality of life in the world. The organisation was founded in 1975. It aims to teach the values and principles of market economics through organising relationships between the business community and university students. For further information about SIFE in general please visit www.sife.org

 

Who Are We?

SIFE AUT is a non-profit organisation operating under the Business Faculty of AUT University.

We develop projects designed to provide new opportunities for individuals and groups to up-skill, in order to improve their lives and make the world a better place. Our projects are designed to be learning opportunities for people who would not normally have these opportunities.

 

Our Vision Statement

“To create sustainable outreach projects that make a positive difference in the community.”

 

Our Mission Statement

“By implementing outreach projects, SIFE students will further develop leadership, teamwork and communication skills whilst learning, practicing and teaching the principles of free enterprise, which encourage excellence, equity and ethics."

SIFE AUT knows the key to achieving the mission is to implement the best projects with the greatest impact. It is these projects that are at the heart of SIFE AUT and it’s success.

The team consists primarily of Bachelor of Business Students undertaking the Business Development Project course, and volunteers  from other business courses and faculties.

 

The Future of SIFE AUT

SIFE AUT was re-established in March 2004, when four keen and motivated students wanted to change the world. In four short months they implemented NETWORX successfully. The question was sustainability!

We quickly grew to just over thirty students and implemented more projects as a result. There are key concepts that SIFE AUT has adopted for future sustainability

  • Increasing member numbers to reach goals and implement more projects
  • Make use of a Business Advisory Board of business professionals
  • Build relationships and SIFE AUT profile within AUT faculty and heads
  • Gain sponsors to support SIFE AUT projects

Our direction will see team member numbers increase to a maximum of 70 students in 2007. The current team have put into place many processes and templates that will make it easy for SIFE AUT in the future. These include processes that can be used again and improved if necessary to gain better results and conduct business more efficiently. Our drive is towards creating sustainable outreach projects.

We are also driving towards the National SIFE competition next year, where SIFE AUT will compete against other SIFE Teams in New Zealand.

In 2004, we placed first runner-up which was a fantastic result for a rookie team. Since then we have either won or come first-runner up for the SIFE NZ National Competition. Winning the New Zealand SIFE Title and the chance represent our country at the SIFE World Cup would be an amazing experience for the team. This is one of our goals and we aim to reach it again next year!