The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) School of Commerce in the College of Law and Management Studies recently celebrated the achievements of three honours students who excelled in a competitive global business simulation.
As part of the Advanced Global Business (MGNT7VO) module, co-ordinated and taught by UKZN’s Professor Thea van der Westhuizen, students took part in an interactive online game during a guest lecture given by Director of the Global Business Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ms Tasleem Shaik.
Shaik’s session focused on strategies for entering and competing in international markets. Beyond sharing her experiences as a business leader, she facilitated an engaging simulation that challenged students to apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios. According to the module outline, the course aims to give learners a deeper “understanding and working knowledge of global business” through individual and group activities and guest lectures. The simulation aligned perfectly with this experiential learning approach.
Emerging as the top performers were Ms Phakamile Zungu, followed by Mr Ayabonga Ngcobo and Ms Siphesihle Dlamini. In recognition of their success, Shaik presented each of them with personalised tokens of support. She encouraged all students to push boundaries, challenge norms and trust their abilities, reminding them that “every great achievement starts with a single step”. Her message highlighted the importance of resilience and curiosity in navigating the global business landscape.
The winners reflected on how the module and the guest lecture had impacted their learning journeys. Dlamini said it had been “an honour” to learn from Shaik, praising the way she used current industry examples and gamification to make the foreign direct investment topic enjoyable.
She added that the team’s success echoed van der Westhuizen’s “consistent enthusiasm and the care she brings to every lecture”, and noted that the experience helped them apply their knowledge to real-world situations and prepare for the working world. Ngcobo described the module as highly impactful for building insight into global market dynamics, international competitiveness and strategic thinking across borders. She said Shaik’s lecture deepened their understanding of global trade relationships and provided a thoughtful token of encouragement. Zungu said the module was “eye-opening”, strengthening both academic understanding and practical skills. She highlighted that the interactive educational game encouraged critical thinking and collaboration, and that being recognised among the top three made the journey memorable.
Module co-ordinator and lecturer van der Westhuizen said the exercise exemplified the course’s focus on critical thinking and strategic decision-making. The Advanced Global Business module encourages students to integrate knowledge from their studies and apply it to global business challenges. “Experiential activities like this allow our students to move beyond theory and engage with the complexities of international trade,” she noted. Students lauded van der Westhuizen’s consistent enthusiasm and care for helping them achieve success and feel confident in tackling real-world business challenges.
The event was also attended by Dr Michelle Hatch, Acting Academic Leader for Teaching and Learning in the School of Commerce, who congratulated the winners and emphasised that partnerships with industry bodies such as the Global Business Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry enrich the curriculum and prepare graduates for leadership roles in a rapidly changing global economy.
The School of Commerce looks forward to more collaborative initiatives that connect students with industry leaders and provide opportunities to put theory into practice. The success of the global business simulation underscores UKZN’s commitment to innovation, industry engagement and the development of globally minded graduates.
Words: NdabaOnline
Photograph: Supplied