DHL GoTrade GBSN Fellowship Program

Deutsche Post DHL Group and GBSN partner to break down barriers to global trade.

Purpose Driven

In furtherance of our goal to connect business students from around the world through impactful, experiential learning opportunities, GBSN has partnered with one of its corporate members DPDHL to develop the GoTrade GBSN Fellowship Program. This Fellowship Program partners selected postgraduate business students with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the developing world to foster greater cross-border trade. The aim is to enable SMEs to access the global market and to enhance student development with practical learning opportunities.  

Application Closed

A Powerful Lever for Sustained Economic Growth

Working with governments and international organizations, we will help to remove red tape at the border and support small and medium-sized businesses in developing and least developed countries to increase cross-border trade. We leverage our network’s core logistics competencies and tap into the wealth of knowledge and experience within the DPDHL Group to help countries implement best-in-class policies and procedures at the border and help local businesses access the global market. Reduction of trade-related red tape and streamlined logistics performance accelerate the flow of goods and business growth, especially for SMEs, whose success is critical to achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

Objectives

Value of Cross-Border Trade

The Fellowship Program teaches SMEs and Fellows about the value of cross-border trade and gives SMEs the tools to access the global marketplace. Helping SMEs in the world’s developing and least developed countries access global markets is a proven way to connect people and improve lives.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Creating meaningful experiential learning opportunities for top performing business students who will learn through collaboration with the SMEs how to operate in often ill-defined markets, with scarce resources, in less structured environments.

Pairing Students + SMEs

The Fellowship Program will pair graduate business students (MBA/MSc/Masters/PhD) with SMEs for 7 months. Each GoTrade GBSN Fellow will be assigned an SME to advise, consult, and collaborate with. The GoTrade GBSN Fellowship Program will convene regular virtual sessions bringing all students together with speakers on relevant subject matter to aid their learning objectives, with the additional goal of fostering networking among peers.

Fellows will be supported by:

  • DPDHL mentors
  • Coaching and mentoring with SMEs
  • DPDHL Certified Program learning journey covering basics of international trade
Application Closed

2026 SME COUNTRIES: South Africa, Namibia, Ghana, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Brazil, Ecuador, Malaysia, Nigeria, Uganda

Student Eligibility Criteria

Graduate students from across the globe who meet the following criteria are invited to apply.

  1. Enrolled at a participating GBSN member school at the start fellowship
  2. Commitment to complete 8 month fellowship program starting March 2025
  3. All students are required to be comfortable communicating in English. For those matched with SMEs in Latin America, proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese is required
  4. Ability to commit to an estimated 12 to 15 hours per month
  5. Proven work experience
  6. Strong analytical skills
  7. Entrepreneurial and proactive mindset
  8. Interest in an international community

We welcome students with experience in any commercial field. Those with a background in Marketing, Sales, Logistics, Operations, Law, Supply Chain and eCommerce are especially encouraged to apply.

Review the program guides to get a sense of what to expect in 2026:

Download 2026 English Guide
DesCargar 2026 guía de Español

Meet Our Program Manager

Natalie Timinskas

Coordinator, Student Programs

Natalie holds a degree in Mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a graduate certificate in Survey Science.
Natalie currently works at the Global Business School Network (GBSN) as a Student Programs Coordinator, where she fosters international learning opportunities and collaboration among universities worldwide. With experience in project management, data analysis, and student engagement, she leads programs that strengthen relationships and provide transformative experiences for students.

    2026 DHL GoTrade GBSN Faculty Fellows

    • Geoffrey Otieno

      International Strategy and Business Transformation Consultant
      Strathmore University
      Kenya
      Uganda Faculty Fellow

    • Marcus Thiell

      Associate Professor
      Universidad de los Andes
      Colombia
      Ecuador Faculty Fellow

    • Oznur Yurt

      Senior Lecturer in Operations and Supply Chain Management
      The Open University
      United Kingdom
      South Africa Faculty Fellow

    • Nilakshi Galahitiyawe

      Assistant Professor
      Heriot Watt University
      United Kingdom
      Sri Lanka Faculty Fellow

    • Denise Delboni

      Adjunct Professor
      FGV Fundacao Getulio Vargas
      Brazil
      Brazil and Mexico DHL Faculty Fellow

    • Marvel Ogah

      Doctor (Faculty, Associate Professor) – Operations and Supply Chain Management
      Lagos Business School, Pan Atlantic University
      Nigeria
      Nigeria Faculty Fellow

    • Seggie Kistasamy

      Sessional Lecturer
      Wits Business School
      South Africa
      Namibia Faculty Fellow

    • Paul Katuse

      Associate Professor of Management
      United States International University – Africa
      Kenya
      Kenya Faculty Fellow

    • Thomas Ngui

      Associate Professor
      United States International University- Africa
      Kenya
      Nigeria Faculty Fellow

    • Shaibu Salify

      Doctor
      Wits Business School
      South Africa
      Ghana Faculty Fellow

    Previous Fellows