IB Agility Labs Return with Global Collaboration and Real-World Impact

The Center for Global Business recently concluded the 2026 International Business (IB) Agility Labs, a week-long virtual case competition that brought together students from four universities around the world to collaborate on a real-world global business challenge. After a hiatus since 2021, the program returned in April 2026 with nearly 50 students participating from Newcastle University in the U.K., the United States International University-Africa in Kenya, the American University in Cairo, Egypt, and the University of Maryland.

Working in cross-cultural teams, students gained hands-on experience collaborating with international peers while learning directly from global business leaders. This year’s case focused on Kasole Secrets, a Tanzania-based, women-led company operating at the intersection of healthcare access, manufacturing logistics, and inclusive market development. The case was developed through a collaboration between CGB Executive Director Rebecca L. Bellinger, CGB Advisory Board Member Margo Thomas, and Kasole Secrets Founder Hyasintha Ntuyeko Fitzpatrick, and was authored by full-time MBA student Sahir Khan.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Kasole Secrets had successfully overcome significant challenges but continued to face opportunities for growth and operational improvement. Students were tasked with analyzing company data and developing strategic recommendations focused on several key areas, including expanding internal capacity to increase sales through improvements in equipment, technology, and workforce skills; identifying financial mechanisms to support long-term manufacturing and distribution growth; evaluating operational and supply chain trade-offs; developing strategies to expand global sales; and designing sustainable models to ensure underserved and low-income communities maintain access to high-quality products.

Congratulations to Avirup Das of the University of Maryland and Parth Namdev and Nicole Duenas Sierra of Newcastle University for delivering the winning presentation. As part of their award, the team will continue working with Fitzpatrick in a consulting capacity moving forward.

The IB Agility Lab was created during the pandemic as a way to deliver innovative experiential learning opportunities while fostering meaningful cross-cultural collaboration in a virtual environment. Today, the program continues to demonstrate the value of accessible global learning experiences that allow students to engage internationally, collaborate across cultures, and solve real-world business challenges regardless of location.

The IB Agility Lab is supported in part by CIBE, a Title VI grant from the U.S. Department of Education.