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Simon Fraser University’s chapter of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) is one of the country’s top 10 when it comes to creating significant student-driven community projects – and that’s exactly where business student Ashish Gurung hoped it would be.

Gurung, based at SFU’s Surrey campus, has devoted much of his time to resuscitating the university’s floundering SIFE chapter. The global organization aims to inspire university students to make a difference in their communities while developing skills to become socially responsible business leaders.

Before he joined, the SFU SIFE chapter ranked last among post-secondary schools across Canada.

The group raised its profile by reaching out to the community through a number of initiatives. Students created a high school program to turn street banners into bags, led financial workshops for post-secondary students, organized a fundraiser for Canuck Place Children’s Hospice and developed a student-operated new media company that serves local businesses.

Gurung’s SIFE involvement has led him in new directions, revealing an unexpected streak of entrepreneurial spirit that he never knew he had, as well as a keen desire to remain involved in community projects.

By his third year at SFU he had started an interactive presentation design company, Nu Experience Design. And now he’s launching two more ventures—a video production company and Quikpik, a smart-phone application.

Quickpik, which lets users poll their current social networks for feedback on potential purchases and other decisions, won an SFU student venture idea competition.

Gurung is also working on plans for a new non-profit organization to help at-risk youth in Vancouver acquire skills and jobs. “In talking to a lot of non-profit organizations I saw a gap and thought I could fill it,” he says.

So how does he juggle so many projects? “I split up my day,” he explains, working on one project each during the morning, afternoon and evening.  “So far, I’m doing okay,” he says. “I have to be disciplined.”

For a listing of students graduating from communities throughout B.C. see: http://at.sfu.ca/LJEIFo

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