Competing Across Borders: Business Students Collaborate Virtually in International Real-World Challenge

Final-year business students from CITY College, University of York Europe Campus joined forces with peers from the University of York, UK and Symbiosis International, India – SCMS Noida & SIBM Hyderabad – in a groundbreaking virtual collaborative programme that tackled a real-world infrastructure issue with far-reaching implications: the implementation of GNSS-based tolling systems in India.

As part of a unique international collaboration between University of York, SCMS Noida and an industrial partner from India, IDFC First Bank, students participated in a 4-months competition challenge designed to develop innovative, practical solutions for distance-based tolling—a pressing need for India's evolving road infrastructure.

The project, centered on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based tolling, required students to understand and address the complexities of applying cutting-edge satellite tolling technology to the Indian landscape. The challenge emphasised not only technical feasibility, but also regulatory, social, and economic aspects.

A Learning Journey with Real Impact

Dr. Nikos Tsorakidis, Deputy Vice-President for External Engagement and Partnherships, Ms. Violeta Sfouri, Academic Director of the Postgraduate Programme in Business Administration and Economics Department, and Dr. Fenia Mavrodi, Academic Director of the Undergraduate Programme in Business Administration and Economics department, monitored the collaboration on behalf of CITY College, University of York Europe Campus and mentored three of the six teams that participated in the competition; one of which achieved second place (1^st runner up) in the competition.

For all those involved it felt that this international virtual collaboration was more than an academic exercise—it was a live lab of global learning. Cultures, disciplines, and ideas collided to create solutions that mattered.

Students struggled with realistic project constraints, working in diverse, multidisciplinary teams across time zones and continents, varying levels of team participation and the difficulty of accessing technical resources,

Despite these hurdles, students delivered comprehensive proposals that balanced innovation with feasibility. Their work addressed issues ranging from dynamic pricing policies and data privacy, to stakeholder education and regulatory reform—all crucial for the successful adoption of GNSS-based tolling in India.

Student Insights: Growth through Challenge

The experience left a lasting impact on participating students, both academically and personally.

“Working on the GNSS-based tolling project for India was a rare and eye-opening journey—where cutting-edge innovation met the reality of complex infrastructure, and diverse minds came together to solve a challenge that was as much about people and culture as it was about technology.” – N.M.

Students gained invaluable exposure to project management, cross-cultural communication, and interdisciplinary thinking. They highlighted the opportunity to collaborate with international peers and apply business strategy and innovation in a real-world context.

“From scheduling nightmares to breakthrough ideas—this project showed me how diverse minds can still achieve a common goal,” shared B.L., who also credited the project with improving their professional communication and time management skills.

Another student reflected on the challenges of engaging with unfamiliar technical content and cultural contexts:

“Navigating a new cultural framework pushed me beyond the limits of my general knowledge. I loved the feeling of working in a team and receiving support—it felt like a great practical and academic experience which felt deeply personal.” – E.E.

Looking Ahead

The success of this collaborative challenge underlines the value of experiential, globally-engaged learning in preparing students for leadership roles in an ever changing working environment. The university remains committed to fostering such opportunities, bridging academia and industry, and empowering students to contribute to international dialogues and solutions.