'Your Career Starts Here'

‘Your Career Starts Here’

 www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/ alumnilinkedin  www.facebook.com/ cardiffmetalumni  www.twitter.com/ cmetalumni Cardiff Met Alumni Tracker India 2014-15

Inside

 Welcome to the Cardiff Met Alumni Tracker India 2014-15

 Cardiff Met South Asia Office Meet Mr Priyesh Thar  Cardiff Met Alumni Reunion 2014

 Alumni Proﬁles Meet our graduates Alumni Mag Welcome

Welcome to the Indian Alumni Executives; from leading Tracker Magazine. Throughout Entrepreneurs to inspirational this magazine you will find Designers. Our Alumni give back information on the Cardiff Met to the University by offering alumni network, our successful support and guidance to current University career service and, students as well as to recent most importantly, a range of graduates about to embark on their profiles from our Indian alumni. careers after education. There is no one more qualified to assist our The Cardiff Met Alumni Network students and recent graduates than currently stands at over 70,000 those who have already been graduates, with this number through the same experience. increasing every year. We are a global University and wherever our We believe that the success of alumni are, their successes, the our alumni and the strength of our careers they have forged and the network demonstrate the values impact their lives, work and  and excellence of Cardiff research has on the wider Metropolitan University. I hope Lisa Gillian Bowen community is the bedrock upon that I will have the pleasure of Alumni Officer which our University is founded. welcoming you into that network [email protected] in the near future. The Alumni Network that awaits our former students once they have graduated has a wealth of Best wishes, talent and experience within it. It is made up of alumni ranging from Lisa Olympic Champions to Chief Alumni Officer

1 | Alumni Tracker India 2014-15 WANTED: International Alumni Ambassadors

If you want to ﬁnd out more about Cardiff Met Alumni in your area or about becoming an ambassador:

web: www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/ InternationalAlumni e-mail: [email protected] Canada (109 Alumni)

Pakistan (1,128 Alumni)

China (1,167 Alumni)

America (157 Alumni) India (3,486 Alumni)

Europe (60,034 Alumni)

Australia (71 Alumni)

South America (598 Alumni)

Cardiff Met Global Alumni Network: 76,049 Key: Amount of International Alumni Indian Alumni Network: 3,486 Ambassadors in the region

Alumni Tracker India 2014-15 | 2 Cardiff Met South Asia Project Office

Cardiff Metropolitan University 2010- the University was then opened a Project Office in Gurgaon known as University of Wales in 2012. Since then the office has Institute Cardiff (UWIC). During grown in strategic importance and my programme I was involved with is now an information hub for a lot of activities on campus from students and strategic partners in cricket to international student India. Since July 2013, the office societies. One of the best things I has been managed by Mr Priyesh experienced was working part-time Thar, an alumnus of Cardiff Met. as an international student helper Below Priyesh shares his as this led to me being offered a experience of studying at Cardiff full-time position with the office Met and provides a few helpful for approximately 4 months. Some hints for future students too! great memories I made there which I will always cherish with such ‘After completing my BCOM from supportive and lovely staff in the Mumbai University, I knew I international office. wanted to further my education in  management studies. I started I graduated in 2011 and stayed Contact Priyesh for looking at my options for study to work in the UK for 2 years. In more information abroad and came across Cardiff 2013, I applied for the role of on the Cardiff Met South Metropolitan University. I had Manager of the Cardiff Met South Asia Project Office. many friends who graduated from Asia Project Office and I am the same university and were delighted to be back with the [email protected] working as high qualified University once again- although +91 (0) 991 085 5466 professionals in Multi-national this time, I am much further companies. In the case of most of from campus!! the senior successful managers, I realised that what was most My time at Cardiff Met was one of important was that they came from the best in my life and my advice a recognized school of business- for students is simple- your future the Cardiff School of Management. is bright if you’re on a Cardiff Met Hence, my determination towards flight! Studying overseas offers pursuing MBA in Cardiff Met you the best chance for unique became much stronger and very experiences and self-exploration. soon, it became a passion. Cardiff Met will offer you a home in which you can grow I started my MBA in Project academically and professionally- Management with Cardiff Met in you will never look back.’

3 | Alumni Tracker India 2014-15 Alumni Tracker India 2014-15 | 4 Cardiff Met Alumni Event 2014 Novotel, Juhu Beach, Mumbai Cardiff Met was delighted to welcome past students from across India to the 2014 alumni reception.

5 | Alumni Tracker India 2014-15 On May 17th 2014, Cardiff extremely proud of our Indian alumni advice on graduate jobs and to share Metropolitan University hosted the network and of the success of each wisdom gained down the years. first official alumni event in Mumbai. individual alumnus. The reunion has Alums from across the country were been a showcase for the high Many of the students who attended invited to attend the gathering at the employability of our students and I the Mumbai alumni event have since Juhu Beach Novotel for an evening of congratulate each of them on the applied to become alumni food, discussion and nostalgia. impressive career moves they have ambassadors for the University- achieved since graduation.’ graduates who will act as a point of Throughout the evening alums contact for future, current and past listened to speeches from the Cardiff Metropolitan University students. If you would like more international office staff, Cardiff Met continues to be a popular University information on Cardiff Met’s alumni South Asia Project Office Manager choice for students across India and network then please visit: and were also treated to some the alumni network is a great selling surprise video messages from the point for such students. Upon www.cardiffmet.ac.uk academic and support staff based in graduation an immediate professional /internationalalumni or email the UK. support group is in place to offer [email protected]

Over 20 alums from across 7 batches attended the reunion. Ms Anya O Connor, Cardiff Met’s Country Manager for South Asia, said: ‘It was a truly fantastic evening in Mumbai. Cardiff Metropolitan University is

Alumni Tracker India 2014-15 | 6 Madhukar Reddy MBA International Marketing Graduated 2003 Founder and CEO of Content Syndicate, Dubai

‘More than the academic value of an MBA from here or elsewhere, my experience of University life at Cardiff Met was outstanding- the relations, networking, meeting new people, travelling, exposure, juggling part-time jobs, studying, flat mates was great. It’s been over 12 years and I’m still in touch with lot of class-mates who have become great friends.

Over the past 16 years, I have worked for leading media groups in Bangalore, Mumbai, London and Dubai. I started my company in 2008, inspired broadly by a dissertation I did for my MBA – on the economics of content i.e. pricing content and its business value for sales, marketing, stock prices as it’s become increasing commoditized in the digital/ mobile/social media age.’

7 | Alumni Tracker India 2014-15 Pranjal Choudhary MBA International Business Management Graduated 2011 Assistant Manager – Business Development & Support at Planet EDU

My time at Cardiff Met was a great renowned and useful books it also from my MBA- like live case studies learning and growing opportunity has a very peaceful atmosphere and and internship- helped me gain both personally and professionally. plenty of space to study and work. hands on experience which has It built my professional skills to really supported my work with My current job role is working as work with Loyds Bank,HSBC, Planet EDU. Asst.Manager-Business Deloitte & Touche and more. The Development within Planet EDU. I travel PAN India for Business university is located in the beautiful Planet EDU is a network of meetings and enjoy meeting with city of Cardiff, its ambience and specialised educational services & education professionals from all atmosphere is very cool and friendly learning facilitation organisations, over the country. My key role is to which gives students the opportunity delivering global educational conduct meetings for business tie- to learn and grow in a social services. My job is to support some ups and organizing Cambridge environment. If you need peace and of our key partners in India such as International exams in schools, quiet for study, you can also find Cambridge English Examinations in organizing orientations International that. The library section of the schools and colleges all over India. trainings and workshops for university has a wide collection of The practical methods of teaching teachers and students.

Alumni Tracker India 2014-15 | 8 Niloy Choudhary MBA Graduated 2011 PWC London UK

Like every overseas student coming support from the students union, The knowledge that I gained to the UK for the first time, I too had I founded the UNICEF (United studying at Cardiff Met with the a feeling that I would have to come Nations International Children’s enormous help and support from across many challenges but the Emergency Fund) society at Cardiff the faculty members helped me International office at Cardiff Met Met in 2010 and was the acting graduate with a Merit. There was proved me wrong. They were very President of the society in 2010- also career guidance available to friendly and helpful. I was picked up 2011. As a voluntary group we were students and during my time in the from the airport by the international registered with UNICEF UK university there were career office staff members. They provided headquarter in London. We raised consultants who guided me in the assistance with accommodation, funds for poor children across the right direction in finding jobs. With part-time jobs and any ad hoc world. After I graduated I handed all the help and support, I secured queries to the best of their ability. over the responsibility of the group a job with Lloyds Banking Group in to the fellow members. The society Cardiff after I graduated. I then I worked part-time for the university is presently active in the university went on to work for Barclays Bank. International office as a student and doing an amazing work. I’m still Over the recent years I have set up ambassador and also with the involved in voluntary work with my consulting firm in the financial alumni office as a fundraiser during UNICEF, currently acting as the vice- services sector here in London. I my course of study. Working for the chair for the UNICEF London Group. offer my services to major high university gave me hands on street banks in the UK like Lloyds experience and taught me excellent The lecturers at Cardiff Met were Banking Group and audit work ethics for my day to day life. professional and had plenty of companies like PwC The students union at Cardiff Met experience in their subjects. My (PriceWaterHouseCooper). I’m was also extremely helpful and MBA was more practical based with currently involved in a project friendly. I have always taken keen assignments, group discussions, with PwC. interest in charity work. With presentations etc.

9 | Alumni Tracker India 2014-15 Afshana Khaisar MBA International Marketing and Product Development Graduated 2011 Brand Manager for WWT Dubai

My greatest memory of Cardiff Met is the outstanding university campus and the tutors. UWIC or Cardiff Met, as it is now known, has a great atmosphere and is staffed by friendly and helpful people.

My MBA at Cardiff Met provided me credibility and a broad perspective of the business world and how my industry works. It has helped me to identify more job opportunities with a high magnitude of pay/benefits. The case studies and group projects in my MBA programme helped me to learn a lot about team work and how to use my interpersonal skills to the best effect.

I currently work as the Brand Manager in Dubai for WWT- handling about 10 top toy brands a few of which are - Barbie/Vtech/Crayola - for the Middle East and North Africa region. I travel around the globe a lot to visit toy fairs and events where I source the products which could be apt for the region. I take care of TV commercials/radio/magazine advertising /events for the brands and so on.

Alumni Tracker India 2014-15 | 10 Sonam Singh Studied LLM in International Business Graduated 2013 Advocate at High Court of New Delhi and Supreme Court of India

After completing my graduation After completing LLM from Cardiff Bhati, and she is also a secretary degree I planned for further metropolitan university I found of Supreme Court of Bar studies and I decided to do LLM myself more confident towards my Association, India. I am also posted from Cardiff metropolitan career goals than I used to be. It as a legal advisor for a company University. Yes, there was a opened many options to pursue my called Geo Cargo Express Pvt. Ltd specific reason for choosing this career and, yes, I chose legal based in New Delhi where I am university for my Masters because practice. So, now I am in Delhi and handling their legal issues on of its unique programme of LLM. I work in the high court of New national and international level. This was the first time I heard that Delhi and Supreme court of India as I would like mention that it is all not only law graduates can do a junior advocate. because of the degree of LLM LLM- it was also offered for other In India, every fresher advocate has which I completed from Cardiff graduates as well. This was the to practice under a senior lawyer at Metropolitan University that I am reason that I found a very different least for 2 years before practicing here today- it really helped me to atmosphere of studying as my independently. Right now I am start with a wonderful career. classmates were from different practicing as an associate advocate Special thanks to the faculty of backgrounds which enabled us to with one of the famous senior Cardiff Metropolitan University, share our views and experience of lawyers of the Supreme Court of Prof. Mayo, Prof. Adebimpe, Prof. different streams. India, her name is Ms. Aishwariya Angela, Prof. SDiamantidi.

11 | Alumni Tracker India 2014-15 Pakzad Nussirabad MBA Management Graduated in 2005 and was awarded student of the year Director - People SKP Group Mumbai

It was a kind of a gut feeling which Neville Gaunt (Principial Lecturer) Director-People (HR) with a made my decision to study at was just something else. financial services firm and my role Cardiff Met- then known as UWIC. involves coaching and developing I am now acting as an alumni I had a great feeling about the talent. So, what better way than this ambassador for Cardiff Met in University and it turned out to be to be of assistance to aspiring India. I’ve always been connected right- life was good not only on the students looking at academic with roles involving guidance, academic front but in Cardiff opportunities abroad? coaching and development. At (Wales) in general. I learnt a lot and Cardiff Met, I was selected to be I want to set up a stronger alumni made great friends too. Although Head Warden/Shift Manger forum in India and ensure that all above all the opportunity to have (student Halls) this role involved future students can benefit from my dissertation supervised by Dr. counselling/caring for the students the hugely successful alumni who Trefor Lewis (former Director - living at the Halls of residence. have already graduated from MBA Programme) and the late Dr. Even now, I am working as the Cardiff Met.

Alumni Tracker India 2014-15 | 12 Vidya Rani General MBA Graduated 2013 Communications and Marketing Specialist at Tech Mahindra, Milton Keynes UK

If I think about the highlights of cultural activities, including the practical study of each subject. the course at university, I remember MBA industrial tour to Dublin, and The number of seminars, projects, the group dynamics programme immense encouragement from all presentations and group which was conducted by the teaching and non-teaching staff was discussions at Cardiff Met has university in the first week of remarkable. Cardiff Metropolitan helped me to develop tremendous course which really helped me in University is one of the best communication skills, which is developing my self-confidence and universities for supporting multi- valuable in any career. I am really courage me to overcome my fears cultural students, striving to thankful to the University who as an overseas student living on my develop a great discipline and trained me to achieve what I'm own in a new country. professionalism among students today and I feel lucky to work as a which helps them to shape a Communications specialist and the My special thanks to the successful career in future. complete credit goes to all those international office which really who helped me during the course gave me all kinds of support A UK education is unique as it at Cardiff Met. throughout the journey. The trains students through the

13 | Alumni Tracker India 2014-15 Archana Studying at Cardiff Met was a dream come true. I was an MBA associate professor in India Graduated 2012 with 14 years of teaching experience but I wanted to Learning Support at South further my academic career Thames College with international exposure. I joined the University in 2011 found the academic teaching there to be first class.

What I am today, I owe to Cardiff Met. I would like to make a special mention of Prof Mukul Madahar my mentor and guide who with his dedication taught me RM and International Management. Heflin David who taught me People and organisations has made me deal with my work place management with all the knowledge of a HR specialist. Finally Professors Eleri Jones and Julia Fallon guided me with every step of my Research- a huge thanks to you all!

I am now working at South Thames College in learning support. My roles involves supporting students in a range of different ways- providing encouragement and reinforcing positive interactions between teachers and students; assisting students in their personal and social developments and monitoring and providing for the general care, safety and welfare of all students at the college. I particularly enjoy supporting students with special needs as I am a clinical psychologist and this allows me to use my skills and knowledge with a positive attitude.

Alumni Tracker India 2014-15 | 14 Varalika Lucknow General MBA Graduated 2011 International Market Analyst Travaall, Derby UK

Cardiff Met has brought some of the most remarkable experience in my life. The time I spent in the University can be described as intense, interesting and highly helpful. I'm glad that I can fully use everything I learned from my studies at Cardiff Met in my current work. As a market analyst I need to analyse and evaluate different market potentials for companies further expansion. My job requires multi-tasking skills as well as ability to analyse and interpret different data correctly. These are some of the skills that were imparted to me through my MBA studies which were very practical. It's a very challenging job as every market is different from others.

15 | Alumni Tracker India 2014-15 Nishant Dayal MBA Graduated 2001 Director - Elite Sports Management

The Experiences at the University MBA graduation, in India where 3. Premier League - We have were innumerable and wonderful. sports, especially Cricket, was designed and Executed Premier It was one of the most important flourishing. Cricket is a passion of Leagues and have input in learning paths which helped to mine which has been converted into Jharkhand Premier League, establish me in the Business World a structural Sports Management Sri Lanka Premier League, at the beginning of my career. Company. Being the Founder of Elite Bangladesh Premier League etc Sports Management, which was The academic staff were very 4. Instadia Rights - We handle 5 established a decade ago, as director friendly and offered high quality Stadiums in India whose Instadia I am responsible for: advice and teaching. I did find the Advertising was managed by us dissertation to be one of the biggest 1. Player Management - We 5. Brand Communication - We challenges to accept and manage Cricketers like CHRIS handle sports Investment for over accomplish but the University gave GAYLE, SAURABH TIWARY, 20 companies, which we guide us the structure to work efficiently GLENN MAXWELL when and where to participate in and perform. 2. Sports Marketing - We are the branding to get optimum Visibility Elite Sports Management is a marketing right holders of one company which was formed after my of the IPL Teams in India

AlumniAlumni Tracker Tracker India India 2014-15 2014-15 | 16 Ankur Sharma MBA Graduated 2003 Here and Now 365, UK

I was the Course Representative foundation I built at Cardiff Met. I bring about awareness and whilst at Cardiff Met and also am currently managing some of the outreach initiatives to ethnic played cricket for the University in key accounts with UK’s biggest minorities in the UK whilst handling BUSA shield and then the MCC Ethnic Marketing company - Here other main stream clients like university matches at the 1st class and Now 365- who are doing some ASDA, Morrisons and Indian TV level. I absolutely adored my stint amazing work for the South Asian, channels. Personally, have with the University and actually had Eastern European as well as the put together some of my profile and picture in the 2005 Afro Caribbean audience here in countries biggest Indian Real Estate Brochure too. the UK. Shows and have interviewed the who's who from the industry. In-fact wherever I stand today I am involved in a lot of NHS, BHS is because of that wonderful and other government projects to

17 | Alumni Tracker India 2014-15 Start Your Career at Cardiff Met

Cardiff Met has over 3000 alumni growing our presence in India from India, many of whom are still through continuing to educate an in regular contact with the outstanding and diverse group of academic and support staff within people who will become a new the University. It is a pleasure for generation of business and us to be able to share their story public leaders. with you in our annual alumni tracker. We hope that the profiles To start your career at Cardiff featured in this magazine have not Metropolitan University, visit our only demonstrated the success of website today. You will find details Cardiff Met’s graduates but, also, on all of the programmes we offer inspired you to take the next step across our five academic schools- in your education. The Cardiff School of Art & Design Cardiff Met offers a wide range of The Cardiff School of Education programmes at Undergraduate and Postgraduate level which are both The Cardiff School of Health  Sciences career-focused and professionally Anya O Connor accredited. Many of our degrees The Cardiff School of County Manager South Asia Management also include work experience [email protected] modules, ensuring that our students The Cardiff School of Sport are fully equipped with the practical skills required to find employment Cardiff Met’s South Asia Project upon their graduation. It is for this Office, located in Gurgaon, is reason that the University currently always open for student enquiries boasts a graduate employment rate and admissions advice. Members of 95% which is among the highest of staff from the university in the UK*. regularly travel to India to support the work of the office and to meet We are committed to with prospective students. We strengthening the alumni network hope we will have the pleasure of across India and one of the many meeting with you soon to discuss ways the University does this is your studies with Cardiff Met. through encouraging more bright and enthusiastic students to apply Anya O Connor to Cardiff Met. We are immensely Country Manager South Asia proud of the Indian students who have already passed through the University and look forward to *DLHE Survey 2012.

Alumni Tracker India 2014-15 | 18