Each year, FITT honours students who have excelled in their international business studies, recognizing not only their academic achievements but also their creativity, resilience, and commitment to global trade. Selected from hundreds of candidates across FITT’s partner training organizations, the FITT Educational Awards highlight the bright futures of students who are preparing to make their mark on the international stage.
The 2024 winners embody the values of dedication, innovation, and global vision. Their stories reveal the impact of FITTskills training and international business education, not just in shaping professional skills, but in opening doors to opportunities that connect people, cultures, and economies worldwide.
Student of the Year: Chika Sato, Canadian College
The Student of the Year Award, presented in partnership with Export Development Canada, goes to the student with the highest overall GPA after completing all FITTskills courses at a delivery partner institution. This year’s recipient, Chika Sato of Canadian College, stood out not just for her academic excellence, but for her consistent drive to participate, learn, and contribute to class discussions.
Her professor, Kumar Varma, CITP, recalls Chika’s approach vividly:
“The success of Chika Sato lies in her outstanding focus on the subject when she is in class, her mental aptitude to understand international trade events, and her eagerness to participate in discussion. Punctuality with her assignments, her commitment to attendance, and her curiosity to ask questions made her a truly exceptional student. A rare pearl in the ocean!”
For Chika, the award is a validation of years of hard work. Her journey through the FITTskills program not only strengthened her understanding of global markets but also provided the tools to approach complex international challenges with confidence. Her recognition as Student of the Year shines a spotlight on the transformative impact of dedication and persistence.
International Sales & Marketing Plan Award: Rajveer Kaur, triOS College
The International Sales & Marketing Plan Award recognizes the strongest submission of a comprehensive sales and marketing plan. Rajveer Kaur of triOS College received this honour for her detailed and innovative plan outlining Old Navy’s entry into the Indian market.
Her project balanced the company’s global identity with India’s diverse cultural and consumer landscape. She identified key challenges, such as intense local competition and the need for cultural adaptation, and addressed them through product localization, festival-inspired collections, influencer collaborations, and a phased market entry strategy.
Reflecting on the experience, Rajveer shared:
“I felt very accomplished because I was able to combine strategic thinking with practical marketing tools. It showed me how theory translates into a real-world global business scenario, which was motivating and rewarding.”
Rajveer’s career goals extend beyond this project. With aspirations to become an international trade consultant and strategist and eventually build her own global business. She sees this award as both a milestone and a motivator.
Her professor, Dr. Kamaljit Kaur, Program Coordinator of the Global Business Management program at triOS College, praised her achievements:
“As a student, Rajveer consistently demonstrated critical thinking, creativity, and strong team-building skills. Her positive attitude, leading class discussions and timely submissions, made her an exceptional student. It is wonderful to see these strengths celebrated through this achievement.”
International Business Plan Award (Tie):
Teniola Animat Oke & Calvin Immanuel Suseendiran, Algonquin College
This year’s International Business Plan Award ended in a tie, with two equally impressive projects emerging from Algonquin College. Both demonstrated the ability to combine deep market research with strategic, real-world application.
Teniola Animat Oke developed a market entry strategy for Hanwha Vision’s DIY home alarm system in France. Navigating challenges around GDPR compliance, financial projections, and cultural preferences, she created a hybrid entry strategy combining online sales with partnerships through French retailers and telecom providers.
“Completing this project was incredibly rewarding,” Teniola said. “It pushed me to integrate everything I learned – market analysis, financial planning, risk management, and cultural adaptation – into an actionable plan. It reinforced my passion for international business and my confidence in tackling complex, multifaceted challenges.”
Her long-term vision? To work as a Global Strategy Consultant or International Market Expansion Manager, helping technology firms navigate new global frontiers.
Meanwhile, Calvin Immanuel Suseendiran built a comprehensive business plan for Privacy Shield, a Swiss privacy-enhancing technology firm, to enter the Italian market. By applying tactics he learned through the FITTskills program and his own cybersecurity expertise, he developed a strategy that aligned advanced technology with regulatory and cultural realities in Italy.
“Completing the project was deeply rewarding. It allowed me to apply both international trade frameworks and cybersecurity principles to a practical, forward-looking business strategy,” Calvin reflected.
His dream career lies at the intersection of cybersecurity and international trade, leading secure market entry strategies and driving digital transformation across borders.
Clarecia Christie, CITP, FITT Coordinator at Algonquin College, celebrated both students:
“Teniola and Calvin displayed a disciplined approach with a global mindset and intense curiosity. Teniola excelled in in-depth research, while Calvin showcased risk management skills. Their dedication to FITTskills courses was evident, and we are proud of their well-deserved success.”
FITT Achievement Award (Tie): Oruba AL Refa’i & April Channer, St. Clair College
The FITT Achievement Award is unique among the honours. It recognizes not just academic performance, but also leadership, community involvement, and perseverance. This year’s award was shared by two outstanding students from St. Clair College: Oruba AL Refa’i and April Channer.
Oruba AL Refa’i pursued International Business Management – Logistics Systems, inspired by the role logistics plays as the backbone of international trade. With a background in project management and supply chain, she excelled academically while balancing her role as a mother of three.
“Honestly, I feel thrilled and grateful to be this year’s recipient,” Oruba shared.
“Graduating with a 4.0 GPA as a full-time student and parent was already a major accomplishment, but this award validates my dedication and motivates me to keep striving for excellence in international trade and logistics.”
Her professor, Paul Jacobs, CITP, highlighted her impact:
“Oruba distinguished herself as an exceptional student through her academic excellence, leadership, and meaningful volunteer contributions. It is a privilege to celebrate her success.”
April Channer brought an entrepreneurial perspective shaped by her experience running a distribution company in Jamaica. She was drawn to international trade by its ability to connect people, products, and opportunities across borders.
“Being the recipient of the FITT Achievement Award is an incredible honour,” April said. “It validates my hard work as a student and as a young business owner, and motivates me to keep pushing boundaries and pursuing opportunities in global trade.”
Her instructor, Tammy Bombardier, CITP, praised April’s contribution:
“April brought incredible entrepreneurial insight to our program and generously shared her experiences with classmates. Her enthusiasm, creativity, and willingness to contribute will undoubtedly make her a great asset to our international trade community.”
Both students represent the spirit of the FITT Achievement Award, balancing academic success with leadership, resilience, and a vision for the future of global business.
Just the beginning
The journeys of Chika, Rajveer, Teniola, Calvin, Oruba, and April highlight the transformative power of education in international trade. Their projects reflect real-world challenges, from market entry and cultural adaptation to cybersecurity and logistics. Their professors’ praise underscores the discipline, creativity, and leadership they demonstrated along the way.
Together, they represent the future of international trade: innovative thinkers, strategic problem-solvers, and global citizens ready to shape cross-border business.
For current and future students, their stories serve as inspiration. The FITTskills program equips learners with the practical tools, analytical frameworks, and global perspective needed to succeed in a world where borders matter less and collaboration matters more.
As these award recipients step forward into their careers, one thing is clear: the classroom lessons they mastered are already translating into global impact.
Congratulations to the 2024 FITT Educational Award winners! Your achievements reflect not only your hard work, but also the bright future of international trade.
If you’re considering a career in global business, or want to equip yourself with the knowledge to succeed across borders, explore the FITTskills program and take the next step toward building your own international trade success story.
disqus comments