May 8, 2025 - Students from Laurentian University’s Global Management MBA program, led by Professor Rana Haq, achieved remarkable success in the 2024 X-Culture project, a prestigious global business challenge that brought together more than 6,000 students from 171 universities across 47 countries. Over an intensive eight-week period, students collaborated in more than 1,100 global virtual teams, working across cultures and time zones to develop strategic business proposals for international companies.
For the first time, Laurentian’s MBA students participated in this real-world consulting experience, leaving a good impression with two teams being named Best X-Culture Teams, a distinction awarded to only a select few among thousands of participants.
“This was one of my favorite projects,” said Dunali Samarasinghe, one of the 20 Laurentian MBA students who participated. “I aspire to become a global brand manager someday, and this was a great opportunity to gain experience in a global virtual team. I enjoyed working with my team and look forward to staying involved with X-Culture in the future.”
Beyond the competition, all students received certificates of completion and reference letters, with several also being invited to serve as X-Culture coaches or participate in the X-Culture Annual International Symposium.
Participating in X-Culture required more than just business acumen. Students had to navigate cultural differences, language barriers, and logistical challenges while working with peers from around the world.
“At first, we were just a group of strangers trying to complete an assignment,” said Raju Mehdi, another Laurentian MBA student participant. “But over time, we became a cohesive team, overcoming obstacles together and appreciating each other’s contributions. It was rewarding to see how a shared goal could bring people together, even when separated by time zones and cultural differences.”
The experience also expanded students’ perspectives on global business strategy.
“The course is so thought-provoking and inspiring that it changed my life,” said Yehing Wang, another participating MBA student from Laurentian. “With in-depth training and a global perspective, I now have a deeper understanding of international strategy and how businesses connect across borders.”
Professor Rana Haq Recognized for Excellence
Laurentian’s success in X-Culture was guided by Professor Rana Haq, whose commitment to experiential learning earned her multiple accolades. She was awarded the Global Collaboration Certificate and named one of 50 recipients worldwide of the 2024-2 X-Culture Global Educator Award, selected from over 200 instructors based on 36 performance indicators. She was also invited to participate in the 2025 X-Culture Global Symposium at the University of Vaasa, Finland, a recognition given to only 25 faculty members worldwide.
“Professor Rana Haq proved to be an innovative and inspiring educator, deeply committed to student success. She invested significant time and effort into this demanding program, ensuring her students gained invaluable skills, experiences, and career-building opportunities.” said Dr. Vasyl Taras, Founder and Coordinator of X-Culture, commending Professor Haq for her dedication.
Dr. Taras also commended the strong performance from Laurentian University students.
“Laurentian University students came well-prepared and made a strong impression on their international peers. Their ability to collaborate across cultures and contribute intellectually was outstanding.” Dr. Taras said.
Reflecting on the program’s success, Professor Haq emphasized its lasting impact:
“This was our MBA program’s first time participating in X-Culture, and it was an incredible success. I am thrilled with our students’ enthusiasm, engagement, and learning outcomes. We look forward to continuing our participation and providing more students with this invaluable experience.”
For more information on Laurentian University’s Global Management MBA program on their website.
Students who participated in the 2024-25 X-Culture Project:
- Arun Chathenchira Emmanuel
- Ashiqur Rahman
- Blessing Ikojo Onoja
- Dunali Anjana Samarasinghe
- Faizudeen O. Tajudeen
- Feng Chao
- Fernando Wu Chonn Ching
- Gabrielle N. Filipovic
- Imran Hossain Emu
- James V. Pollesel
- Jenyfar Yasmin
- Junran Xie
- Lei Jing-CARRIE
- Md Aljabir
- Mehedi Hasan Raju
- Omawumi Temile
- Paul Mridul Gomes
- Shuyang Xie
- Yiheng Wang
- Zhixing Ding