This remarkable accomplishment not only showcases the team’s ability to apply their academic knowledge in real-world scenarios but also provides them with a golden opportunity to the six months P&G winter internship.

United and Strong: The Perfect Team

The winning team was a dynamic group of four seniors: Joice Bebawy, Zeina Bahgat and Hanya Hafez, seniors in marketing, plus Nour Helal, senior in quantitative economics. Together they combined their strategic thinking and innovative marketing skills to solve the challenging business case of how to increase the market share of Pampers Pants in Egypt.

Reflecting on the team’s chemistry, Bahgat shared, “when I was put in a team with other AUCians, I was thankful, because I knew it would make it easier to communicate, meet on campus, and we probably held a similar mindset. We all had our strengths and complemented each other. One member calming the team down, another ensuring the structure was very smooth, someone else coming up with creative ideas; a perfect team.”

The success of the team lay in their ability to harness their individual strengths while working collaboratively, offering practical and innovative solutions to the case challenge.

Treasured Adventure: The Journey to Victory

The teams’ journey began in early November when all participants were introduced to P&G’s history, the internship program, and a case study debriefing. Teams were then randomly grouped together. 

Guided by Ahmed Tolba, professor and chair, and Hakim Meshreki, associate professor, Heikal Management Department, the team worked tirelessly to prepare for the competition. Their efforts culminated in a 20-minute presentation to a panel of P&G directors. Due to the strength of the competition, they were asked to re-present their case to a second panel, followed by a rigorous one-hour Q&A session focusing on the feasibility of their ideas. After waiting for one and a half tense hours, the team was declared the winner of the competition. 

Hafez reflected on the intensity of the experience, “We literally camped on campus for like three or four days working for a minimum of seven hours each day in order to crack the case study and develop the presentation. Full on working, having meetings, calling people to gather information. I had a pause in my academic life in terms of my courses that I’m currently taking, we had to give it 100%. It was draining, but I learned so much.”

Bebawy echoed the sentiment, “It was a transformative experience for me. I felt like I was working on something really big and was able to apply what I learned in class. I learned how to market size, how to think outside the box, backing up solutions with numbers plus how market insight and consumer insight is everything.”

As a result of their victory, all four team members have advanced to the interview stage for P&G’s six months Winter Internship, which begins in late January. The internships program positions in various business areas, allowing students to gain hands-on experience, make an early impact in the industry, and take their first steps into a meaningful career.

Helal, who is applying for P&G’s finance internship, expressed her excitement “It would be a huge milestone for me, especially as I know people who did the internship and told me it was such a fruitful experience, because they learned so much. They really expect a lot from their interns and put so much confidence in the ones they accept, making sure you learn quickly and stand up to those expectations.”

The internship opportunity highlights the value of the competition, bridging academic knowledge with practical industry experience, and providing students with unparalleled exposure to one of the world’s leading multinational companies.

Continuing Excellence: A Testament to AUC’s Commitment

The achievement is a testament to the team’s dedication, hard work and strategic thinking. It also reflects on the school’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence, both inside and outside the classroom. By empowering students to excel on global platforms, the school continues to prepare its graduates to compete and succeed in the professional world.

The P&G Winter Summit Internship Competition not only demonstrated the strength of Onsi Sawiris School of Business education, but also highlighted the school’s ability to produce graduates ready to tackle real-world challenges and drive meaningful impact in their industries.

The school has also retained the prestigious five Palmes of Excellence, placing it among the top 100 business schools worldwide, recognized for its strong global influence.

This ranking highlights the school’s commitment to providing world-class education, fostering innovation, and preparing future leaders to address global challenges and make meaningful contributions to society. 

Eduniversal evaluates the top 1,000 business schools across 153 countries in nine geographical zones, assessing academic reputation, global partnerships, international influence, and program quality. These rankings are further refined through the Deans’ Vote; a peer evaluation by 1,000 deans of business schools worldwide.  

“This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in business education,” stated Sherif Kamel, Dean of Onsi Sawiris School of Business and a member of Eduniversal’s International Scientific Committee representing Africa. “It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni, who continuously strive to create impact and drive positive change. We are committed to enhancing our programs, expanding our global partnerships, and preparing future leaders to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving world.”

This achievement comes during a pivotal year for the Onsi Sawiris School of Business, following its naming after a transformative gift from the Sawiris family. The School continues to uphold its position as a triple-crown-accredited institution, placing it among the top 1% of business schools globally.

The school’s programs continue to excel on a regional and global scale. The graduate programs, including the Master of Arts in Economics and MBA Program—Elective in Operations Management, have ranked first in Africa in the Eduniversal Best Masters Rankings, while the MBA, Executive MBA, and Master of Science in Finance ranked second.

Maha Mourad, associate dean for undergraduate studies and administration, emphasized the importance of the school’s continued efforts in creating a transformative learning environment.

“Our programs are designed to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and ethical foundation to thrive in today’s global marketplace. This recognition from Eduniversal validates the tireless efforts of our faculty, staff, and students to ensure academic excellence and societal impact. It is a proud moment for our entire community.”

The Onsi Sawiris School of Business remains dedicated to advancing higher education, fostering innovation, and building a strong global network of partnerships. With this achievement, the School continues to strengthen its reputation as a global leader in business education, preparing future generations of leaders to innovate, inspire, and create meaningful impact.

AUC partnered with the Global Liberal Arts Alliance (GLAA), a consortium of liberal arts universities, to offer our students an interactive cultural exchange experience through globally connected courses. Enrolled students will virtually engage in international, multicultural discussions on critical issues of our world alongside students in other classrooms around the world.

Through a selection process, faculty from AUC traveled to the American University in Bulgaria in the summer of 2024 to meet with global faculty partners in other GLAA universities and plan the activities of their joint courses. Connected courses on all campuses were held face to face, with virtual interactions on shared coursework with global student partners, to span five to seven weeks of the course. 

“This initiative supports our central goal of advancing the liberal arts learning outcomes through high-impact learning experiences that place our students at the center of academic discussions, bringing together students with multiple cultures and perspectives to grapple with complex issues that concern our societies today,” said Ghada Elshimi, dean of AUC’s Academy of Liberal Arts.

She added, “Students in these courses develop the skills to collaborate with [other] students from different backgrounds and reflect on their own values, identities and biases, as well as those of others. Transferable skills of global learning, deep listening, critical thinking, problem solving and teamwork are among the important outcomes that students gain.”

“Students in these courses develop the skills to collaborate with [other] students from different backgrounds and reflect on their own values, identities and biases, as well as those of others."

Let’s take a look back at the courses that were offered this fall and hear from their faculty and students.

Courses Offered in Fall 2024

SCI 1930 Human Nutrition and Wellbeing (Lettuce Talk!) 

Taught by:
Lobna Mourad
AUC’s Department of Biology

Connected with:
Jennifer Johnson, Kenyon College
Gaybe Moore, Oberlin College 

This course connected with students at Kenyon and Oberlin colleges in Ohio. Students developed nutrition literacy, looking into global, food-related epidemic threats and the consumption of processed food from perspectives of different cultures and backgrounds. They discussed issues such as food politics, malnutrition and food waste.

"Never be afraid to have too many cooks in the kitchen.’”

Johnson appreciated the exchange of ideas and disciplinary perspectives on food with the other professors. “Meeting with my colleagues regularly to discuss our courses and students’ progress has been a highlight of my [work] this semester. Students tell me that they, too, value the relationships they’ve developed with peers from different universities. Some hope to keep these relationships going even after the course is over.” 

Though adapting to different time zones and working styles can be a challenge, Johnson says that it was absolutely worth the effort for herself and her students. “In spite of the anxiety and frustration she felt at times, one student described how much fun she’s had and how proud she is of her group’s final project. Her advice to others? ‘Never be afraid to have too many cooks in the kitchen.’”

"Students tell me that they, too, value the relationships they’ve developed with peers from different universities. Some hope to keep these relationships going even after the course is over.” 

While bridging three courses across different time zones was admittedly difficult, Moore said that “students were able to learn effective communication skills and integrate their classroom learning into real-world conversations about food, nutrition and public health.” 

The results of global collaboration in the students’ learning were “made evident in their final project, a series of Public Service Announcements that could be distributed either in the United States or Egypt to address health disparities and provide education on topics related to our courses.”

AUC freshman Zeina Swiedan appreciated the diverse interactions. “I have been exposed to new cultures and ideas, and learned the importance of respecting other cultures that might not be in line with mine," she said, describing the experience as a fun challenge that she would repeat without hesitation if given the chance.

AUC course instructor Lobna Mourad shared similar sentiments: "This collaborative experience has been incredibly enriching for both myself and my students. I am confident that we all gained valuable knowledge and skills. Moreover, I am grateful for the opportunity to build lasting friendships with my AUC peers and professors from the United States. I look forward to participating in future global course connections. "

The AUC Onsi Sawiris School of Business is proud to announce that three of its undergraduate finance students - Mohannad Khairy, Youssef Helmy, and Abdalla Hafez - have secured 2^nd place in the prestigious Capsim Foundation International Challenge. Competing against over 600 competitors worldwide, these talented students showcased remarkable business acumen, solidifying their position as global contenders.

A Transformative Learning Experience

Reflecting on the journey, Youssef Helmy shared his excitement: 

“It was something I was passionate about - to team up with my friends, combine our skills and compete against universities not just in Egypt, but globally. It was a hands-on experience in the business world, and everything was amazing. The competitive aspect made it fun!”

The biannual competition tests participants’ skills in managing the complexities of running a global corporation across all critical business functions – marketing, finance, R&D, production, and more. In this competition, the AUC team managed a sensor technology company, navigating the challenges of decision-making and strategy.

A Team Effort Fueled by Practical Education

Abdalla Hafez also expressed his gratitude for the experience: 

 “We felt like we were running an actual company. It was a very managerial process, and decision-making was tough. But the education we received at the school was incredibly beneficial – it prepared us for every challenge we faced. The teamwork aspect really helped us push through and keep going.”

The students were supported by Irene Shaker, assistant professor of marketing, Heikal Department of Management, who proudly reflected on the achievement: 

“I am immensely proud of our students at The Onsi Sawiris School of Business. They continually demonstrate their ability to compete and excel on the world stage. This success reflects their dedication and the exceptional education they receive here.”

Strategic Thinking and Dedication

The competition consisted of eight rounds, with each round representing a “business year”. The students endured long nights of research, analysis and strategic decision-making, culminating in their well-earned second place finish.

Mohannad Khairy described the experience:

“It’s not just about being profitable, having the highest revenues, or achieving the best stock price - it’s a combination of factors that assess your decision-making and overall strategy. There were nights we stayed up until 4 am, not knowing how we ended up doing. It was hectic, but also one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had.” 

 Legacy of Success

The recent accomplishment continues the Onsi Sawiris School of Business’s legacy of excellence in the Capsim Challenge, marking the fourth consecutive global ranking for its students.

Recent Capsim Achievements:

• Fall 2024: Mohannad Khairy, Abdalla Hafez, and Youssef Helmy (Second Place)
• Spring 2024: Mohamed Khaled (Third Place)
• Fall 2023: Mohanad Hany (Winner)
• Spring 2023: Mazen Tawfik (Third Place)

These accomplishments truly highlight the caliber of our students, their dedication to excellence, and the world-class education provided by the Onsi Sawiris School of Business at The American University in Cairo.