About Us

Back in 2004, graduating with a Commerce degree was very common and just like many other friends, I wanted to pursue Masters Qualification immediately without any work experience. Being a fresh graduate at that point of time, I took my mom’s advice to first immerse myself in several years of working experience before considering any further education. Truth is, my mom has always been my biggest inspiration and most of the time, she is right.

At the age of 26, I became a young manager who enjoyed learning through reasoning in the corporate world. With continuous supports from my senior management team and strong encouragement from my parents, I signed up for the MBA programme offered by the University of Strathclyde when I had 7 years of working experience. The programme was recommended by one of my directors; mostly because of the university’s triple accreditation status and established reputation for its strategic management courses, which are extremely useful in the corporate arena. Furthermore, I believe that my learning process would be more exciting if I could find the relevance of my work experience with the knowledge gain from the MBA course. With that in mind, I took up the part-time study challenge.

I was curious; so, it wasn’t that hard for me to go back to university. In fact, I must say signing up for the MBA course came at the right time, simply because I didn’t have many obligations on weekends. However, it was easier said than done. As I progressed with the course, I learned to be disciplined in managing my personal life, job, and study assignments on a daily basis. I also learned to be mentally prepared when there is limited time available to spend among friends, family, and Ariel, my dog. When time is your biggest constraint, you will learn how to keep to necessaries. For this, I am so thankful to have supportive and understanding family and especially Steve, my boyfriend.

Recently, I graduated with MBA, specialised in Strategic Management. It took me 3 years to accomplish this mission. Whilst network of contacts are important in any professional courses, I’ve found good friends who came from different professional backgrounds and countries. Good friends whom were once my classmates who have shared their time, effort, knowledge, experience, and opinions each time when we meet for study discussions. I’ve also gained the option to do my Leadership course in Switzerland, courageously presented my views to other leaders, who are my friends today. Through these different encounters, I’ve learned the importance of team work and confrontation, as well as discovered my inner strengths and weaknesses. Personal self-reflection evaluation, which is highly encouraged by the institution, has become part of my daily life. In fact, this is the best part of learning because only through self-awareness, I am able to identify gaps and develop to the next level. It was also through this, I realised how much I need to embark on a new career path in Trade Marketing management. Today, I am working for Luxottica Malaysia, the world’s largest eyewear company. As a Trade Marketing Manager, I am responsible for ensuring the right products available in the right stores, at the right location, with the correct supports. The knowledge I have gained from the MBA programme has certainly helped me in carrying out my roles and responsibilities, especially in the areas of strategic planning, development, and operation. It has also developed my sense of maturity in managing a team of passionate employees.

Although pursuing an MBA programme requires strong determination, a certain level of sacrifice, and hard work, the journey is definitely worthwhile, and the experience gained is invaluably one in a million!

“For further queries, please visit our website at www.cdc.edu.my or contact us at CDC (603)76608950 ext. 109 (Edahani)”

“Education is an endless pursuit”, which is a philosophy in life that I truly believe in. That is why from the moment I started my professional career; I knew that I would be embarking on an MBA programme sooner or later. It was when I was working with French Company in Argentina that I had the opportunity to do an MBA from Strathclyde, through the Malaysia centre when I was relocated there. It was not really what I imagined it to be because, it is indeed a privilege to be able to do it in one of the Top 100 FT Ranked Global MBA Programme. Choosing Strathclyde was a natural and easy choice considering that they are one of the well-known and globally accredited Universities in the world and also my company was more than willing to sponsor me with this University considering its reputation. This decision in fact speed up my promotion, which leads to my relocation to another country in 2012 for a bigger responsibility, even though I am still in the midst of completing my MBA project.

I believe that having the sufficient working experience is vital before embarking into an MBA programme. This will allow you to have a better understanding on the concepts learned and how it will be more effective in your working life. I took the programme on a part-time mode, which means joggling between studies and work, it was never easy but just amazed on how I was able to cope and get the required knowledge by combining these two. Beware though that you may have to sacrifice your time and not able to do other activities if you really want to take full advantage of the MBA. There is indeed no bigger satisfaction than achieving goals that demand us to go the extra mile and with dedication and effort, the prize is invaluable.

Doing the MBA with Strathclyde also increased my network, which is equally important in contributing to ones future professional path. I would say that one of the most important take homes in the process of completing my MBA is the feeling of security and confidence in the decisions that I made. Also, acquiring new management knowledge and develop skills that supports every step that I take in my position at work and life.

Currently, I am working for an MNC focusing in renewable energy. We have worldwide presence and our main markets are Latin America and Asia. My current position is related to finance, legal and accounts with special projects on M&A and reengineering of branches. People of great diversity form my team; from different countries, cultures and religions, and doing the MBA helped me to cope and achieve better level of management to improve my relationship with all the members of the group.

My piece of advice is that, there is no other way to achieve a goal than acting on it. So, if you really feel and think that an MBA is something you want to achieve in your life to help you with your career, don’t waste your time and move forward to get it now.

My childhood days weren’t exactly easy since my parents passed very early in my childhood. Since then, even getting to college was a struggle. So stabilising myself therefore was always a priority. So, when I had enough funds to continue, I considered only 7 schools, Strathclyde was my choice.

There are so many Masters degree out there but very few which offers a comprehensive and competitive MBA such as the Strathclyde MBA. The fact that it is amongst the top 1% of Business Schools in the world made my decision easier. Further, the triple accreditation and its strength in being the top 10 in the world as it stand today in my favourite discipline, Strategy. Being a strategic person, everything I do must have a reason and a purpose behind it. If I cannot reason it, I will keep on searching till I found a good reason. Strathclyde was beyond doubt a good reason!

In the early stages of the program, getting back to books was really tough. But the Strathclyde Student Portal guides through the study and even ways of approaching each subject. This makes life easier. The textbooks which comes together makes things all the more easier.

I did not have the luxury of doing my studies full time. So part time was splendid but do not take me wrong, it is tough. But the flexibility of the Strathclyde program allows you to breathe easier through it all. You may opt to take lesser subjects for the given semester or you may take the tougher ones first or leave them to the last! It helped me since working life became too hectic with several career moves during the course of the program within the same company.

I loved strategy. With Strathclyde being top 3 at the time I signed up, I jumped at it. Learning how to read strategies, analyse and even forecast the future is quite exhilarating for me. I made sure I did well for all my strategic subjects! The other subject I loved was the leadership offered via electives. Even the format of the electives per se is interesting...you get to travel abroad to do your electives if you choose to.

When I started out my MBA postgraduate studies, I was in Product Development and 2 years later, got into Operations. The MBA has helped me look into my work from several angles, financially as well as a business perspective. From speaking just one aspect of work (functional), you now have many views and speaks (lingos) now available to you from a business perspective!

Strathclyde MBA helped me develop my Product Deck for my company suite of products. Not only had that it also allowed me to identify several key sign posts (Scenario Planning) which subsequently led to million dollar acquisitions. Too bad, from prediction to realisation, I had been in 2 separate departments, I was not a part of the team that realised it, but knowing that Strathclyde helped me learn the discipline necessary to forecast the business landscape by looking at current issues and developments is absolutely fantastic.

I am attending lots of interviews. I guess since I am loving what I am doing, I am pretty much holding out for a good opportunity to move. The amount of interview calls and profile views on job portals and linked-in has increased by 2 folds right after I published my award. It is amazing how marketable you become on the job market after your MBA.

For those whom are really interested in pursuing an MBA which is truly accredited and recognised globally, please sign up for Strathclyde. The learning experience matures you to a point where you will now be able to speak value instead of just costs. For those doing strategies and business developments, this MBA is apt for you as your roles is strategic and you will be able to see things from many perspective as opposed to before. Exploring International Business Environment allows you to look into many perspectives prior to decision making and scenario planning makes you better prepared to handle changes on the long term.

So sign up, and give your all, go with the momentum of the initial group and you will finish it faster that you can imagine.

“For further queries, please visit our website at www.cdc.edu.my or contact us at 03-76608950 ext. 109 (Edahani)”

Having this qualification is all that I imagined it to be because it allowed me to equip myself with the necessary business management skills to progress further in my career. The combination of my prior technical experience and the MBA provides a strategic advantage in the operation and management of any organisation. It has certainly opened doors in terms of career progression and opportunities.

There were a number of institutions in the Klang Valley that offered an MBA program. I wanted an MBA from a reputable university. The triple accreditation and the availability of experienced faculty members from the UK, weighed heavily in influencing my decision to go with University of Strathclyde. I was convinced that the Strathclyde MBA programme provided value-for-money education. The knowledge and skills I have gained through the MBA programme has certainly helped in the overall management of my business division. The part-time MBA program offered suits my schedule as a working professional. Weekdays were primarily focused on work while most weekends were devoted to my studies. The Strathclyde MBA is regarded as one of the best in the world specialising in Corporate Strategy and in addition to learning business management fundamentals such as Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Human Resource, and Operations, the MBA program focuses on Strategic Management

I enrolled into the MBA programme after having 14 years of work experience under my belt. In my opinion, a certain level of maturity and working experience is needed in order to understand the relevance and value of a postgraduate course. Personally, the timing was right as I was transitioning between a technical role to a management role in my career. I would be lying if I said that I did not have problems adjusting to studying again. Pursuing a part-time MBA course meant spending most weekends and evenings attending classes and completing assignments. Juggling between work, studies, and family life was a real challenge. I had to adapt and divide my time accordingly every single day. Being a very disciplined and structured person certainly helps. I also had my wife to thank for being so supportive and understanding while I was pursuing my MBA.

The best bits of the programme is where real life case studies demonstrated how theoretical knowledge can be applied in certain business areas. I also enjoyed the group work, which allowed the exchange of different ideas, different point of views, and gave us the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others. The course facilitated the development of a network of new contacts. Throughout the MBA program, we have shared heated debates, sleepless nights, disappointments, life experiences, laughters, and joys of success…..all of which have led to the development friendships that would last a lifetime.

I am currently managing and leading the Aerospace and Defence (A & D) division in the company I work for. I am responsible to manage the production and delivery of critical aerospace and defence systems and components to some of the world’s largest A & D organisations whilst ensuring profitability of the business. The knowledge I have gained from the MBA programme have certainly helped in terms of business planning, management, and operations of the division.

The MBA course had certainly made a positive impact on my professional and personal life. At work, the awareness and knowledge that came with the MBA had influence my decision-making and management approach. My advice to those who aspire to do an MBA is to “Do it!”. It is a worthwhile and life-enriching experience. Completing an MBA requires perseverance and hard work. Enjoy the educational journey, make friends, and do not give up!

“For further queries, please visit our website at www.cdc.edu.my or contact us at 03-76608950 ext. 109 (Edahani)”

My personal view on education is that it should first and foremost be to enhance one’s knowledge and network to be a better contributor at work and to society. Everything else that comes along with it is a bonus.

I have been with HSBC Group since January 1999 with 8 postings to date in Malaysia, China and now Canada, covering Global Trade and Receivables Finance, Commercial Banking and Retail Banking & Wealth Management. My role is offering value added working capital, supply chain and risk mitigation solutions to companies especially in the areas of global trade (imports and exports).

The MBA helped me to develop a framework, in addition to the one provided by my employer, in understanding the company’s business and needs better and faster (this can be a client or prospect) so that I can structure the appropriate solutions for them. It gave me a better insight to overall business management. The scenario planning modules were particularly interesting and useful to my work

I started the Strathclyde MBA programme on my 3rd posting in the bank when I relocated back to my hometown in Kuala Lumpur. The timing was great until I was successful in a secondment application to Shanghai, China later that year. The University understood my situation and I took a 2 years sabbatical. When I came back to Malaysia, I then jumpstarted my MBA again.

I chose this particular course, offered by SBS (Strathclyde Business School) as it provides great coverage of the essential modules in business management. More importantly, it also covers crucial techniques required for scenario analysis – a crucial ingredient, in my opinion, in being able to make educated assumptions, have an all-encompassing view and prepare ahead when formulating a business model, strategy or plan.

Life after the course is a sense of achievement and accomplishment and I am already putting the knowledge gained into action at work, at home and in my community.

My advise for those who are planning to embark into an MBA programme is to make sure that you are able to make the commitment (time, resources, etc.) and stay focused until you graduate. Get a great support group to continue encouraging and motivating you to succeed (this may be friends, loved ones, family and co-workers. )
To quote Martin Luther King Jr: The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.

“For further queries, please visit our website at www.cdc.edu.my or contact us at 03-76608950 ext. 109 (Edahani)”