Michel Ohayon Wins the Émérite Desjardins Scholarship from the AMBAQ
May 20, 2010
Michel Ohayon, who graduated from the HEC Montréal MBA program in September 2009, has been awarded the 2010 Émérite Desjardins scholarship from the Association des MBA du Québec (AMBAQ). The $5,000 award is presented every year to a graduating student or recent graduate from an MBA program at a Quebec business school or management faculty in recognition of his or her excellent academic record, involvement and leadership. Candidates from six business schools were in the running this year.
At the AMBAQ luncheon meeting when the scholarship was awarded, on May 19, Michel Ohayon said he was very happy and flattered to receive this honour. “The year I spent in the Intensive MBA program was an extraordinary time for me. Going back to school after five years in the workforce was an opportunity to keep learning, to enjoy new experiences, create personal and professional bonds and, above all, put my leadership skills into practice. I see this scholarship as a confirmation of my success,” he enthused.
While he was in the MBA program, Michel held the position of Vice-President, Corporate Affairs with the School’s association of MBA students (AEMBA). As such, he had the opportunity to organize networking activities with graduate and postgraduate students at HEC Montréal, UQAM, McGill and Concordia and to co-ordinate the School’s participation in the MBA Games. The polyglot student – he speaks English, French, Hebrew, Spanish and Italian – was also a member of the winning teams at two student competitions, the Management Simulation and the HEC Montréal Challenge.
One of highlights of his time at HEC Montréal was the official visit by Michael Ignatieff, leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, when he came to meet with students and staff. Michel moderated the event and the question period that followed. He also took part in a student exchange with the Aston Business School in Birmingham, UK, where he was dubbed the “bridge-builder” because of his ability to bring together students of all origins around projects and activities of different kinds.
Michel is now working as a professional recruiter with Shore & Associés, where he is putting his knowledge, leadership and dynamic approach to work for major Quebec organizations.
Three other HEC Montréal MBA graduates have won this honour in recent years: Kim Valcourt in 2008, Charles Millard in 2007 and Dominique Anglade in 2004.