From developing ambitious international business strategies to demonstrating outstanding academic achievement and leadership, the 2025 FITT Educational Award winners are showing what the next generation of international trade professionals can accomplish.
Every year, the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) is honoured to recognize exceptional learners through the FITT Educational Awards. These awards celebrate the dedication, academic excellence and practical capabilities of students developing their international trade knowledge and skills through programs offered by FITT’s educational partners.
The awards also shine a spotlight on the calibre of emerging talent entering the international business community. These are individuals who are learning not only how global trade works, but how to apply that knowledge to solve business challenges, identify opportunities and help organizations succeed across borders.
The 2025 recipients represent a range of experiences, ambitions and perspectives. What connects them is their commitment to learning and their ability to turn international trade education into meaningful achievement.
A journey across borders leads to Student of the Year honours
2025 Student of the Year Award: Ya-Han Yang, Canadian College
For Ya-Han Yang, pursuing an education in international trade meant taking an international journey of her own.
With a background in tourism and a longstanding interest in connecting with people from different cultures, Ya-Han decided to leave Taiwan and study at Canadian College in Vancouver. She saved money to finance her studies and travelled to Canada independently, determined to improve her English, expand her knowledge and challenge herself in a new environment.
That determination ultimately earned her FITT’s 2025 Student of the Year Award, presented by FITT’s Strategic Partner, Export Development Canada (EDC). The award recognizes the student who achieves the highest overall grade point average after completing all FITTskills courses through an eligible delivery partner.
Throughout her studies, Ya-Han distinguished herself through academic achievement and active participation.
“Ya-Han consistently demonstrated punctuality, dedication, and a strong work ethic throughout her studies,” said Kumar Varma, CITP, her main instructor at Canadian College. “She actively participated in class discussions, presentations, and case studies, often taking on a leadership role when collaborating with her peers.”
For Ya-Han, one of the most valuable outcomes was understanding how different aspects of international business fit together, from market entry and finance to trade documentation and risk management.
“One of the biggest lessons for me was learning to look at a business situation from different perspectives and think about how to solve problems systematically.”
Since returning to Taiwan, she has begun building a career in enterprise software consulting and sales, helping organizations identify operational needs and explore digital solutions. While not a traditional trade role, she sees clear connections between her international business education and her work.
Receiving the award after returning home made the recognition particularly special.
“Receiving this award feels like a wonderful reminder that all of the effort was worth it. It also gives me confidence as I continue building my career and exploring where my international business journey can take me.”
Turning Philippine coffee into a global market opportunity
2025 International Sales and Marketing Plan Award: Mark Anthony Daluz and Angelica Ngo, Sault College
What would it take for a Philippine specialty coffee brand to establish itself in South Korea’s competitive coffee market?
That was the challenge Mark Anthony Daluz and Angelica Ngo tackled in their award-winning international sales and marketing plan.
The two Sault College Global Business Management students jointly earned the 2025 International Sales and Marketing Plan Award, which recognizes the highest-graded completed international sales and marketing plan submitted through a FITT educational partner.
Their project examined the potential expansion of Bo’s Coffee, a leading Philippine specialty coffee brand, into South Korea. The objective was to develop a financially viable, culturally relevant and evidence-based market entry strategy.
The assignment demanded much more than identifying a promising export destination. It required detailed research into consumer preferences, market trends, competition, regulations and the practical realities of introducing a new brand.
“One of the biggest challenges was the amount of research required,” Mark Anthony explained. “I also wanted to ensure that every recommendation was supported by reliable data and research.”
By bringing together concepts from international trade, economics, finance and marketing, the project demonstrated how classroom learning could be applied to an authentic international business challenge.
Mark Anthony credits the program with strengthening his research, strategic planning and decision-making capabilities, skills he intends to build on throughout his career.
Their achievement also reflects the practical focus of Sault College’s Global Business Management program.
“Mark Anthony Daluz and Angelica Ngo have demonstrated exactly what we strive to develop in our Global Business Management students: the ability to think globally, analyze markets strategically, and translate their knowledge into practical international sales and marketing solutions,” said Gabriel Araba, CITP, FITT Coordinator at Sault College.
He added that their success reflects the quality of talent being developed at the college and offers inspiration to other students preparing to contribute to the global business community.
A passion for pop culture becomes an award-winning business strategy
2025 International Business Plan Award: Tarun Atal, Georgian College
A personal interest in an Indian lifestyle brand sparked an international business planning project that would earn Tarun Atal national recognition.
A student in Georgian College’s Global Business Management program, Tarun developed a market expansion strategy for The Souled Store, an Indian pop-culture and lifestyle company, to enter Japan.
At first glance, the opportunity appeared promising. The company’s licensed merchandise, distinctive designs and digital-first business model seemed well suited to a market with a deeply established pop-culture industry.
But Tarun understood that identifying potential was only the beginning.
“One of the biggest challenges was making sure that my own interest in the company did not become an assumption that it would automatically succeed in Japan.”
He examined how the brand could compete in a mature market with demanding customer expectations, exploring localization, pricing, distribution, promotion, partnerships and financial planning.
His analysis considered which strengths could transfer from the Indian market and which aspects of the business would need to change to appeal to Japanese consumers.
The experience taught him an important lesson about the complexity of international expansion.
“A decision about pricing can affect positioning. Customer expectations can affect product design. Regulation can affect operations. Logistics can affect customer experience. All of those decisions ultimately influence profitability and trust.”
Tarun’s comprehensive approach earned him the 2025 International Business Plan Award, recognizing the highest-graded completed international business plan submitted through a FITT educational partner.
For Tarun, the award validates a way of thinking that he hopes to carry into a future leadership career in international business. His long-term ambition is to build or lead a globally recognized trade corporation that creates lasting value for businesses and their customers.
Georgian College FITT Coordinator Kelly Halliday praised his achievement:
“It is incredibly rewarding to see our students apply the knowledge, skills, and global perspectives developed through Georgian College’s Global Business Management program. Tarun’s national recognition is an outstanding accomplishment, and we are proud of him and all that he has achieved.”
Going beyond academic success to make a broader impact
2025 FITT Achievement Award: Grace Okaredi, Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology
For Grace Okaredi, international trade education is about more than building a successful career. It’s about helping businesses and communities access opportunities that might otherwise remain out of reach.
A student at the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology, Grace is the recipient of the 2025 FITT Achievement Award, which recognizes a combination of academic success and community involvement.
Her decision to pursue international trade studies was rooted in a desire to help businesses grow beyond their domestic markets and contribute to sustainable economic development.
“I’ve always been passionate about helping businesses grow, and I believe growth should not stop at local or national borders.”
Through her studies, Grace developed practical knowledge of export readiness, global value chains, market entry strategies, logistics and international business development. She also gained a deeper appreciation for collaboration, cultural awareness and relationship-building.
These capabilities have supported her interest in initiatives that connect entrepreneurs with resources, partnerships and new business opportunities.
Looking ahead, Grace has ambitious goals. She hopes to become a leader in global trade and business development, eventually establishing a consulting firm that helps organizations navigate international expansion.
Her aspirations also extend to thought leadership, mentorship and contributing to policies and trade ecosystems that make global business more accessible.
“Receiving the 2025 FITT Achievement Award is an incredible honour and a deeply meaningful milestone in my journey,” she said. “It represents more than academic achievement; it recognizes leadership, community involvement, and a genuine commitment to promoting international trade.”
For Grace, the recognition is further motivation to create opportunities for others while continuing to develop her own expertise.
Recognizing the talent shaping the future of international trade
The achievements of Ya-Han, Mark Anthony, Angelica, Tarun and Grace demonstrate the value of combining international trade education with curiosity, initiative and practical application.
Their stories also highlight the important role FITT’s educational partners and instructors play in developing capable professionals who can support businesses in an increasingly interconnected global economy.
FITT extends its congratulations to all five 2025 Educational Award recipients and sincere thanks to Canadian College, Sault College, Georgian College and the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology for their dedication to international trade education.
We look forward to seeing how these outstanding learners apply their knowledge, pursue their ambitions and contribute to the international business community in the years ahead.
disqus comments