The Global Business Institute (GBI) is a collaboration with the U.S. Department of State and The Coca-Cola Company. This multi-faceted, immersive program was designed to give a select group of students from across participating countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and Near Asia the opportunity to learn about business in the context of American culture. In 2017, the selection process was highly competitive with more than 6,000 students from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia applying for the 100 program spots.

Students gained a basic understanding of American business practices and pedagogy through the accelerated 3.5-week curriculum based on the core elements of the Kelley School of Business undergraduate program. Disciplines covered included Accounting, Communications and Presentation Skills, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Human Resources, Marketing, Operations, and Law and Ethics. In addition to the more traditional classroom sessions, students also engaged in a series of panels and site visits to introduce them to the wide variety of entrepreneurial venture opportunities.

Students worked in small teams on a group feasibility study project which culminated in a case competition style presentation of 15 minutes with 10 minutes of question and answer from a panel of judges. The project required the teams to develop and conduct a feasibility study of a business idea to launch in their home countries and necessitated them drawing upon what they learned in the program. Teams were divided into four rooms for first round presentations with the winners from each room competing in a final round of presentations. Final standings were:

1. Team Morocco – M3D (Medical device to repair skull damage)
2. Team Tunisia – Virdy (Cross platform matching instructors with students)

Finalists

• Team Jordan – NETSIA (Electricity consumption monitoring device)
• Team Morocco – YADI - Morocco (E-commerce platform for artisans)
• Team Saudi Arabia – INani (Application connecting nannies and parents)

Students were also exposed to American culture through formal and informal interactive programming. The program concluded with visits to Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. While in Washington, D.C., 10 of the student teams had the opportunity to present their feasibility studies at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.