When asked what impressed her most about WMG’s MSc course in Process Technology Business Management (now renamed Process Business Management), Shamayita Choudhury said: “It makes you think like an engineer, not just a student of engineering.” We asked her to describe her experience at Warwick in more detail.

“The way the course is taught encourages you to constantly explore concepts and ideas,” Shamayita explained. “It makes you challenge your own thinking – and focus on developing real working solutions.”

One concrete example that Shamayita mentioned was Biomimicry: taking inspiration from nature to solve human problems. “That was a fascinating subject,” she said. “For example, how the self-cleaning mechanism of the lotus can be copied and used to create dirt and water-repellant paint. After studying examples of Biomimicry at work, we then had the opportunity to use the concept to complete our own mini-project.”

While keen to talk about the specifics of her one-year course, Shamayita also wanted to stress how the overall structure of the programme developed her knowledge across a wide-range of areas.

“The great thing was how it combined technical and business subjects,” she described. “So one module would cover industrial processes or design for the environment, and the next would focus on logistics management or organisations and people. Everything worked together to help me build an all-round understanding of the management of process businesses.”

This particular aspect of the programme was what attracted Shamayita to WMG in the first place. “My degree was a dual one, a BSc in Chemical Engineering and a BA in Economics, so this course was a natural next step.”

WMG’s style of teaching also impressed her, as she explained: “The class-based learning was balanced with lots of interactive sessions, simulations and the chance to work in teams with fellow students. It made the whole thing very stimulating. I never knew what each day would bring – but I did know that it would be enjoyable!”

For Shamayita, originally from Kuwait, the chance to mix with students from across the world added to that enjoyment. “I loved getting to know everybody and learning about different cultures. I made real friendships and even now, almost a year after I finished the course, we still keep in touch through Facebook.”

After completing her course, Shamayita joined the Kuwait Catalyst Company – an innovative business that provides advanced catalytic solutions to the regional refining industry. As a Process Engineer, her role includes a significant client-facing element – and here again, she found that what she learned at WMG has helped her succeed in her role.

“Sometimes I have to make presentations with just a short time to prepare, so the ability to rapidly assimilate information and understand concepts is extremely important,” she said. “Although I didn’t realise it at the time, my MSc programme was giving me the skills I need to do this.

“There was also such a big social side to life at Warwick that it supported me to develop my networking skills too. That’s the thing: when you’re at WMG you don’t realise how everything comes together to make you a more effective individual at a technical, business and personal level. Once you’re out of the academic environment and into work, it dawns on you what a terrific course it is.”