A Seventh-day Adventist university in Southern California beat out more than 1,200 universities to become the international Students In Free Enterprise champions at the SIFE World Cup September 22 to 24 in Amsterdam.

At the competition, La Sierra University and fellow entrants presented their educational outreach programs, which they had conducted throughout the year in their communities. A panel of more than 70 of the world’s top business leaders judged how well these projects taught others the principles of free market economics.

La Sierra’s winning submission included a training course for welfare-dependent people who want to learn how to start a childcare business. Now in its third year, the program has helped approximately 200 women. About one-third of those have opened their own businesses.

The La Sierra team also started projects in India, Mexico, and Peru—all aimed at providing assistance and independence to people in economically underdeveloped areas.

Lawrence T. Geraty, president of La Sierra University, praised the students for their win in Amsterdam. “La Sierra School of Business and Management has a distinguished track record of ‘rising to the top’ when it comes to entrepreneurship, service, and the Christian practice of business,” he said. “We are so proud of the opportunities provided by a quality Adventist education, and this highly successful group of students who have taken advantage of it.”

Founded in the United States in 1975 and active on college and university campuses in 31 countries, SIFE says it encourages students to develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills through learning, practicing, and teaching the principles of free enterprise.