particularly useful preparation for my work now, as I have to deal with internal consulting clients on a daily basis.”


He is currently working on a portfolio of projects targeting the farming sector in Sudan. “This sector remains under-developed due to its poor buying power and limited access to finance. We are building strategies to address the agricultural value chain by grouping the farmers together. We then train them on modern farming techniques, provide customised input and machinery packages and assist in linking them with microfinance institutions.”


Elnasri is also using the knowledge and ideas gained on his MBA to give back to the community. He says he finds it interesting to apply models learnt on his MBA to the not-for- profit sector. ‘Since arriving home, I have assisted two local NGOs (VET CARE and NIDAA) by reviewing and refocusing their strategies and helping them adopt a business-like approach to development.’


He is also involved in a national mentoring program called EL MUTAQBAL, which means ‘Future’ in Arabic. ‘I am currently assisting two Sudanese students to apply for MBAs at AMBA accredited schools. Maybe we will have another MBA Student of Year from this part of the world.”


Elnasri succeeded in gaining a scholarship to Lancaster University Management School. His advice to other students looking for MBA scholarships is: “keep it real, capitalise on your local knowledge and experience, and show what different experiences of life, not just work, you will bring to the table and my last tip is to look beyond your personal goals.”


Looking back Elnasri says his MBA gave him so much more than just the regular MBA curriculum modules such as finance, marketing, strategy and operations management.


In particular he highlights the concentration on leadership and soft skills offered by Lancaster’s ‘Mindful Manager Programme’.


“This included theatrical training, lots of reflective blogging and extensive soft skills training workshops. We also learnt about emotional intelligence, dealing with difficult people, exploring and managing motivations and the acknowledgement of work place politics, all of which has really helped me with colleagues, staff and managers.”


“I came out of the MBA programme more aware of who I am, my leadership style and my potential.”


Choosing an MBA can be overwhelming as there are so many different business schools worldwide. Elnasri says that accreditation offered him quality assurance: “Studying for an MBA involves a lot of commitment both financially


and personally and so I wanted to choose a business school that I could trust and who offered a programme that was of recognised high quality. AMBA accreditation was definitely the quality insurance I wanted.”


Elnasri truly believes that good business can make a difference to society and like many of today’s MBA students and graduates he believes responsible management has the power to shape a better future for everyone. He has already seen the positive effect business can have on small African villages - so sets his aims high.


“I believe responsible business can provide solutions to the eradication of poverty in the developing world.”


To research MBA study and to find out more about the Association of MBAs and its accredited business schools, go to www.ambaguide.com Follow us on Twitter @Assoc_ of_MBAs.


INSPIRING GLOBAL EXCELLENCE


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96