October 27, 2026, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): Students from Canadian University Dubai (CUD) demonstrated their business acumen and consulting skills, securing first and second place at Corporate Catalyst 2026, an inter-university consulting competition hosted at the University of Birmingham Dubai on October 25, 2026.
Competing against approximately 45 teams from 15 universities, CUD students impressed industry judges with innovative, research-driven solutions to real-world business challenges. Team Forkast, representing the CUD Finance Club, claimed first place in the 7Harvest category, while Team Trust, representing the CUD Business Club, secured second place in the La Opulence category.
The competition challenged students to develop practical consulting strategies for three businesses across the fintech, fast-moving consumer goods, and real estate sectors. Participating companies included Digipos Solutions, 7Harvest, and La Opulence.
Over a period of two to three weeks, teams conducted industry research, analyzed business challenges, and developed strategic recommendations, with the 7Harvest category also requiring an AI-driven solution. Each team presented its proposal to a panel of industry experts, followed by a question-and-answer session.
First Place: Team Forkast
Team Forkast secured first place for its innovative strategy to help 7Harvest protect and grow its profit margins without increasing consumer prices.
At the heart of the team's AI-integrated strategy was HarvestPartner 360, a retail partnership framework designed to optimize trade investments and improve in-store product performance. The team complemented this with several consumer-focused initiatives, including HarvestIQ, HarvestBox, and Harvest Better Living, alongside Harvest for Humanity, a community initiative focused on food assistance and education.
The winning proposal was evaluated by Mr. Harish Tahiliani, Managing Director of Arab and India Spices, the parent company of 7Harvest, and Mr. Mohamed Akeel, Founder of Transcpg Inc. and former CEO of Coca-Cola Bottling Middle East.
For their achievement, the team received a cash prize of AED 3,000, a gift hamper, and an opportunity to present their solution to Mr. Mohamed.
Reflecting on the experience, team leader Paulean De Guzman said, “While this may not have been my teammates’ first competition, it was my first since starting university, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead such a talented team to a winning result. It taught us that the best solutions come from listening deeply, challenging assumptions, and working together to create value that truly makes a difference.”
Second Place: Team Trust
Team Trust earned second place for developing a strategic marketing proposal to strengthen La Opulence's competitive position in Dubai's real estate market.
The team presented a trust-driven approach focused on personalized property recommendations, transparent comparisons, client relationship management, and strategic partnerships. Their proposal incorporated digital tools such as ManyChat, HubSpot CRM, and WhatsApp Business to improve customer engagement and lead conversion.
With a proposed budget of AED 8,650, the strategy outlined measurable business targets over a 90-day period, demonstrating the team's ability to translate marketing concepts into an actionable commercial plan.
The proposal was assessed by Mrs. Urmila Rangwani and Mr. Royston Fernandes, co-founders of La Opulence. In recognition of their performance, Team Trust was awarded internship opportunities with the company.
Team leader Fathima Ashraf said, “Our team earned second place, a result that reflects the dedication, collaboration, and hard work of every member. The judges’ feedback was incredibly valuable, helping us see our idea from new perspectives and strengthen it moving forward.”
A third CUD team, Team FourSight, also participated in the La Opulence category, presenting a personalized property discovery concept featuring lifestyle questionnaires, tailored recommendations, agent matching, and virtual property viewings.
Empowering Students Through Industry Engagement
The students' success reflects the value of experiential learning and industry engagement in developing the next generation of business professionals.
Ms. Olga Starkova, Lecturer in the School of Management and mentor of the CUD Finance Club, emphasized the importance of student initiative and independent learning.
“The real goal of mentorship was never a trophy. It was independence: students deciding for themselves what they want to pursue, who they want to meet, and which competitions to enter. That’s exactly what happened here. Our students chose this challenge and ran the project from A to Z on their own. The initiative is the result of mentorship; the award is the result of their own talent and hard work.”
Mrs. Gayatri Nair, Lecturer in the School of Management and mentor of the CUD Business Club, added, “There’s nothing more rewarding than watching students grow into confident consultants. We’re incredibly proud of how they took the initiative, overcame challenges, and presented innovative solutions to the panel. Their growth is the result of consistent networking, hands-on learning, and active engagement.”
Through competitions such as Corporate Catalyst, CUD students gain valuable opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to real business challenges, engage directly with industry leaders, and develop the analytical, entrepreneurial, and communication skills essential for their future careers.
CUD Participating Teams
Team Forkast | First Place, 7Harvest
- Paulean Amelly Mikowle M. De Guzman, Accounting and Finance
- Robert Miguel R. Castigador, Accounting and Finance
- Lyna Djaboub, Accounting and Finance
- Inaaya Zehra Zaidi, International Business
Team Trust | Second Place, La Opulence
- Sarah Saleem, Accounting and Finance
- Shreya Gladson, Accounting and Finance
- Amira Khon Akhraro, Accounting and Finance
- Fathima Ashraf, Accounting and Finance
Team FourSight | La Opulence
- Muhammad Fahad Malik, Accounting and Finance
- Thanmay-Chandolu, Accounting and Finance
- Fahmida Fayza, Psychology
- Alliyah Louise Pedojan, Psychology
Gallery
