The AUB team was placed first in solving two 15-hour cases, competing against seventeen teams from around the world. During the intense four-day round-the-clock competition, student teams were tasked with: a high-end furniture company in Mexico wanting to expand internationally, and the video-sharing giant YouTube looking to increase revenues and users in the Latin America; both cases were under restrictions posed by the pandemic.
“Joining, solving cases, competing, and then winning an international case competition is, what I believe, the best and most rewarding experience a student can gain at OSB,” says participant Antoine Kazan. “Competing virtually against 17 different universities, for four days, was not easy logistically, physically, or mentally. However, I am lucky to be part of an amazing team that supported each other through everything, and to have our coach, Hagop Panossian, standing by our side from the beginning.”
Despite everything happening in Lebanon, Serge Nasr was privileged to take the virtual stage: “Being able to crack cases with the best in the world helped me strengthen my skillset to join the professional world in the future.”
For ‘Extraordinary Q and A’ distinction awardee Kathryn Traw, the competition brought together everything she loves about business. “It was an honor to be a part of AUB’s team, and represent Lebanon in winning. The experience of working with teams, from all around the world, was an amazing opportunity.”
Team member Danielle Salemeh said the highlight of her AUB experience was being part of this experience. “The program helped me develop my work skills, and grow as an individual. I am proud to have represented AUB at this competition, and worked alongside my team, as well as university students from around the world. I would like to thank our coach Hagop Panossian, who trained us to achieve our victory, who radiated hope during these difficult times.”
Functioning day and night to achieve success, this supreme team was coached by Hagop Panossian, faculty coordinator of the International Case Competition program at OSB, who added, “once again our students demonstrated that they can compete and excel internationally. The formula of success in our case is very simple: academic rigor, outstanding personalities, and loads of hard work.” Panossian has been coaching OSB international case competition teams for the past four years.