Business Escape Challenge: An unforgettable experience from UCLan Cyprus

The interactive competition "Business Escape Challenge: Can You Unlock the Mystery" has successfully concluded.

The event was organised by the School of Business and Management at UCLan Cyprus in partnership with the Youth Board of Cyprus. It took place on 6 and 7 February 2025, at UCLan Cyprus, providing a unique experience to participants to build critical thinking, collaboration, and innovative solutions.

The competition, which was open to the public, was attended by second and third-year high school students, as well as 6th and 7th-grade students from private schools. Participants developed key skills such as teamwork, analytical thinking, collaboration, argumentation, and problem-solving under time constraints. By solving business and logic puzzles, they managed to "escape" from specially designed escape rooms created within the premises of UCLan Cyprus University in Larnaca.

The students formed teams of up to six members and faced creative challenges by solving puzzles and mysteries in five themed escape rooms: 1) Accounting and Finance, 2) Business Management, 3) English Language, 4) Tourism and Hospitality, and 5) Marketing and Advertising.

At the end of the activities, the winning teams for each day of the competition were announced and awarded with cash prizes and scholarships for studies at the British University of Cyprus. Dr Andria Michael, Course Leader of the English Language and Literature programme and organiser of the competition, expressed her excitement for the students' dedication and efforts, encouraging them to continue developing their entrepreneurial thinking.

The Head of the School of Business and Management, Professor Loukas Glyptis, stated during the student award ceremony: “We are delighted to see that the Business Escape Challenge is becoming established within the school community as a valuable tool for developing critical skills. These are skills essential not only for the successful pursuit and completion of university studies but also for the students’ future professional careers. It is an honour for UCLan Cyprus and the School of Business and Management to play a meaningful role in achieving these goals.”

The organisation of the Business Escape Challenge by the School of Business and Management at UCLan Cyprus, along with similar initiatives by the British University of Cyprus, plays a significant role in fostering creativity and collaboration among young people. At the same time, it enhances their skills and broadens their knowledge, providing them with valuable tools for their professional future.