BCIT Innovates Student Challenge winner Michael Hubele (left) with BCIT VP Education, Research and International Paul Dangerfield.
Like many BCIT students, when Michael Hubele first started in the Computer Information Technology (CIT) diploma program, he was quickly overwhelmed with the heavy workload.
“I used to get really good grades in high school, so it was discouraging when I got a ‘U’ (unsatisfactory standing) in my first term,” recalled Michael. “I didn’t know how to juggle my homework, assignments and exams. I realized I needed a better time management system.”
After trying out several tactics, including a student planner book and various web services and programs in which he found numerous limitations and bugs, Michael decided to create his own student management system. The system, which he called OnlineStudentPlanner, helped him improve his grades (he recently graduated from the Computer Systems Technology Bachelor of Technology program with distinction) and reduce his stress.
Michael then took his initial version and made it into his capstone practicum during his final year. He thought it would be great if other BCIT students could use the same system to help them cope with the BCIT workload: he wanted to take it to the next level and to commercialize it.
Through the BCIT Student Association’s mentorship program, Michael met Brian Hosier of BCIT’s Learning Teaching Centre. Brian gave him lots of needed advice on OnlineStudentPlanner.com and helped Michael connect with other BCIT departments, such as Information Technology Services and the Applied Research Liaison Office (ARLO). Since then, OnlineStudentPlanner has been introduced to BCIT’s executive team and numerous faculty members.
Currently Michael is working with his brother Steven (who is also a graduate of the CST BTech program) on the newest version of OnlineStudentPlanner in preparation for the BCIT pilot launch in September 2010. OnlineStudentPlanner helps students with course, task, and grade management, and has a term countdown feature.
Recently Michael and Steven entered OnlineStudentPlanner.com into the ARLO-sponsored BCIT Innovates Student Challenge where they competed against 23 other teams. They took home first prize: a $1,000 honorarium and up to $4,000 in BCIT commercialization services. The contest, which was developed by Tim Reitsma, Joe Boyd, and Martina Carmona of ARLO, was aimed at connecting students with BCIT’s commercialization expertise and services, and at encouraging students to adopt an entrepreneurial stance early in their careers.
L-R: Margo Hubele (Michael’s mom), Steven Hubele (Michael’s brother), Martina Carmona, award-winner Michael Hubele, Paul Dangerfield, Shan Satoglu, and Tony Asseiro.
“When Tim, Joe and myself were developing the contest – with the idea of awarding students with financial resources and follow up support to bring their ideas to market – we expected to get about five submissions from BCIT students. We ended up and happily overwhelmed with 23 applications,” said Martina.
The judging panel was made up of BCIT’s Shan Satoglu, ARLO Commercialization Assistance Program; Sahail Shariff, ARLO; Jim McBeth, Manager, ARLO CAP; Kevin Cudihee, program head, Part-time Studies and Industry Services, School of Computing; Wayne Hand, Associate Dean, School of Construction and the Environment; Richard Vurdela, Faculty, Operations Management, School of Business; Nancy Paris, Director, Product and Process Applied Research Team (PART); and Vida Morkunas, Instructor, Technology Management, School of Transportation.
