Two Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) staff members have proven their world-class business acumen, without earning a single cent.

Sam Underdown and Oner Aktas are the winners of the Global Management Challenge Australian final, an international competition focused on business strategies. Competitors aim to get the highest share price for their company on a simulated stock exchange.

“It’s exciting to operate a $6 million company. Obviously it would have been even better if the money was real," Mr Underdown said.

“We would like to tell you how we ran our company ‘ANUMBA’ with such success, but that would be giving up some trade secrets we need for the world final! What we can say is that we closely monitored our competitors, and market demand, making decisions we thought would give us the biggest profits,” Mr Aktas said.

As well as working for DIAC, Mr Underdown and Mr Aktas are each studying for their Masters in Business Administration at the Australian National University.

“The course provides the flexibility to choose electives that are relevant to my work in DIAC e-business projects. I aim to apply the management skills and knowledge I am gaining directly into my daily duties,” Mr Underdown said.

“My work in IT infrastructure at DIAC has definitely benefited from the course. It’s great to have the department’s support to further our studies and to be able to combine university and workplace skills in the challenge,” Mr Aktas said.

World-wide, some 20 000 university students from 30 countries are taking part in the competition.

The DIAC duo, along with their third ANU team member, beat 15 other teams to win the Australian final. They will now attend the world final in Portugal on April 22.

“We’re excited to represent Australia in the world final and it’s a great chance to apply our skills and experience against some of the best universities and business schools in the world,” Mr Underdown said.

For professional quality photographs of Mr Aktas and Mr Underdown visit www.newsroom.immi.gov.au.

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