Through a battle of brains and business acumen, Agam Sharma (Business Administration, class of 2022) has come full circle.
The University of Guelph-Humber (U of GH) alum went from participating in – and winning – the prestigious NIBS Worldwide Case Competition in his final year, to now serving as a judge and donor for the 2026 competition.
This year’s competition, which brings together students from 16 universities around the world, is being hosted by Guelph-Humber in Toronto from Feb. 16-21 – and Sharma is excited to play a role in the event.
“Hosting international events, bringing together students from abroad, showcasing the quality of our students, faculty, curriculum, welcoming peers in the business world from around the globe…and showcasing Toronto and the high quality of education they experience at Guelph-Humber [inspired me to judge],” Sharma said.
In case competitions such as NIBS, groups are given a problem within the business sector and must consider a solution, present that idea, and debate it. Currently working in economic development within the municipal government sector, Sharma felt his experience was beneficial to his growth as the business professional he is today because of the “realistic” business simulation. He wants to be part of that experience for the next generation of students so they, too, can gain valuable skillsets, network, and create lifelong memories.
“[Students] leave more confident, more globally aware, and better prepared for leadership beyond the classroom,” Agam said.
During Sharma’s time as a student, joining the University’s NIBS team was practically kismet. One day during his final year at U of GH, Sharma was asked by an instructor to substitute another student on the team. He said that it was a “quick fit” and he’s been enthusiastic about case competitions ever since.
Sharma believes case competitions provide students with the chance to collaborate with like-minded peers, but also to learn how to come together as a team. An added benefit of NIBS is that students from all over the world gather in one place, creating opportunities to compete while learning about each other’s cultures.
However, Sharma competed in NIBS during the global pandemic, so the competition was fully virtual. While he still reaped the benefits of skill building and meeting participants from around the world online, being remote came with its own set of challenges that he learned from.
“You’ve got to be a keyboard wizard to move the slides and manoeuvre through a presentation deck [at the same time.] That’s very helpful in real life presentations,” he said laughing.
Regardless of the online experience, Sharma recalled NIBS still being “eye-opening” in terms of learning how people from different countries and cities operate.
“We did have the opportunity to converse with all the competitors in the pre-qualifying round, as well as afterwards. What it taught me was how business acumen, knowledge, and strategies differ around the world. Yet, everyone's looking for solutions. That diverse global thinking opened my own horizons in terms of thinking beyond local solutions and starting to broaden that toolkit,” Sharma said.
The countdown to NIBS 2026 is on. Until he returns to Guelph-Humber’s campus as a judge, he’s been keeping busy assisting with the pre-qualifying round. He read competitors’ submissions and said he enjoyed doing that.
“I think this initiative allows alumni who want to support this program and be involved to give back,” he said. “[The event will be a success] if everyone’s got that energy and can carry it through the days of the competition. Everyone collectively comes together and works for that higher goal!”
The 2026 NIBS Worldwide Case Competition will take place on the University of Guelph-Humber campus in Toronto from Feb.16 – 21, 2026.