Sameer Omer from United Arab Emirates described his time at Warwick as a “golden opportunity”; a year that would provide an unforgettable experience, changing the way he thought about himself and his future.

“During 2007, I was at one of the most critical crossroads of my life so far,” explained Sameer Omer (Nasser). A graduate with a distinction in Biomedical Engineering major, he had applied to Masters programmes at a number of universities across the world. As a result, he received scholarship offers to continue his Biomedical Engineering studies, including one from Oxford University.

“Ironically though, these offers gave me a big dilemma,” said Sameer. “I was unsure whether to take my Masters in such a research-oriented field. The other option was to study a more diversified discipline. After a lot of deliberation, I decided to pursue a course that would add to my business knowledge - and allow me to discover new areas of interest.”

Sameer’s choice to study Engineering Business Management at Warwick was certainly a bold move. From working with artificial heart valves, pacemakers and implants, he moved to financial analysis, logistics and strategic marketing.

But Sameer soon found that the programme offered a unique opportunity to bridge the gaps between engineering, business and management. “The course is extremely well designed to provide a balance of both practical and theoretical work,” he commented. “This helped me to take a wider view of things and develop a well rounded skill-set.

“The class-based teaching style with interactive sessions, presentations, syndicate exercises and simulations impressed me most about the WMG experience. I believe it has equipped me with the knowledge and skills that employers across the world are looking for.”

Sameer’s experience of Biomedical Engineering was brought into play as he worked on a pioneering dissertation: ‘End-users Involvement in the Medical Device Innovation Process’. Bringing medicine and engineering together with a business management perspective, his project was critically acclaimed by a number of internationally renowned organisations including GE Healthcare and Surgicraft.

“Looking back on to those days, the research was hard work and not always plain sailing,” he said. “But I always believe that if you are engaged and challenged by a task, you will give it all the energy and passion you can. The excitement of what you are aiming to achieve overcomes any weariness you might feel.”

WMG’s supportive culture also helped Sameer through times that tested his resolve, as he described: “It was hard work, there’s no doubting that. But if a course like this doesn’t stretch you, then what’s the point? All the time though, my fellow students were there to help and encourage each other.

“A culturally diverse university like Warwick gives you a golden opportunity to interact with people from every continent across the world,” Sameer continued. “I would breakfast with Asians, lunch with students from the Middle East, hang out with Europeans and party with folks from Africa. This exactly reflects what is happening in real-world business today. In this era of globalisation, we deal with colleagues and clients from different parts of the world on a daily basis.”

This in itself Sameer described as “an interactive learning experience.” But as his closing comment shows, it went a lot further than that: “Thanks to Warwick, I got to know people who are now some of my closest friends.”