India   e-BM Graduate 2009-10

"What set the whole year apart was the way it turned learning and theory into practical knowledge that you can apply in business situations right away”

Understanding the driving forces behind today’s organisations is one thing. Putting that understanding into practice is quite another, as Ajinkya Shah found during his year at WMG.

Since gaining my first degree in Computer Science Engineering at Shivaji University in 2007, I had worked as a Business Analyst in India; my last job before coming to Warwick was with Tech Mahindram where I helped to develop business process re-engineering and automation solutions for British Telecom (Global Services).

But I really wanted to develop a more in-depth understanding of business; of how new enabling technologies are driving e-business based organisations. I had already been offered a place to study for a Master’s in the US when WMG’s offer arrived. Having considered both the nature of the course itself and Warwick’s global reputation, the decision was easy to make.

In 2009, I arrived to study for my MSc in e-Business Management. The way the programme was taught surprised me – and my fellow students. Rather than just being constantly fed theory in a classroom situation, we worked on authentic case studies and were able to interact with business people across a number of sectors.

This brought all of the theory to life and made it mean much more. Also, working with other students in business scenarios, we got a feel for how organisations operate, the day-to-day challenges they face and how we could use what we had learned to overcome them. For example, the game played during the module ‘Project Planning, Management and Control’ touched all aspects of project management from scheduling, costing and resourcing to risk management and handling people.

As part of the course we could choose elective modules to add on to the set core modules. This meant that I was able to tailor the entire programme around my own particular interests and career aspirations. I chose to cover modules in Project Management, Globalisation and Outsourcing, ERP Integration and e-Health Technologies. In addition, I had the opportunity - through WMG - to study for and qualify as a SAP Certified Business Associate – a particularly valuable qualification that I had long wanted to achieve.


In addition, I had the opportunity - through WMG - to study for and qualify as a SAP Certified Business Associate. This is a very valuable qualification that I wanted to achieve, so it was great to be able to do it during my year.

For my dissertation project, I was given the opportunity to work with the UK’s number one online retail pharmacy. This involved analysing the company’s current processes, identifying key issues and suggesting improvements that would make a positive difference to their business.

My recommendations achieved a saving of £50,000, as well as an enhanced customer experience. It also gained me a distinction and I received a letter of recommendation from the company.

That exercise sums up my experience of WMG. What set the whole year apart was the way it turned learning and theory into practical knowledge that you can apply in business situations right away.

Obviously, during my year at Warwick, I was looking forward to my next career move, so I researched job opportunities throughout the 12 months. As I was completing my course I was offered a position as a Research Assistant within the Informatics and Virtual Reality department, based at WMG’s International Digital Lab here at Warwick, led by Professor Vinesh Raja.

It’s highly rewarding to be working with a team that’s building a global reputation for innovation - Professor Raja’s vision is to make Warwick a world-leader in the field of informatics. It’s also thoroughly enjoyable; I’m working on projects in the digital healthcare arena, developing new manufacturing concepts and finding ways to implement them within today’s industries.

Without doubt, what I learned during my year at WMG helped me a great deal – both in gaining this job and in my day-to-day work now. When you’re actually studying, you simply don’t realise the practical value of what you’re learning. Once you’re out there in the real world though, it all becomes very clear.”