Thoughts on embarking on an MBA at the National University of Singapore

By: Azat Kabdrashitov (The NUS MBA, Class of 2023)

Choosing a university

When deciding on my choice of a university for an MBA, I looked at various factors such as rating, employment prospects, the prestige of the university, where it is located and the climate.

When I thought about the country of study, Singapore immediately came to my mind. When I was still a student, Lee Kuan Yew came to Kazakhstan and I attended his lectures. I thought it would be interesting to see how Singapore looks from the inside. I also liked the climate as in Singapore, there is practically no winter, it is always warm.

Eventually, I chose the National University of Singapore because the Business School and its MBA programme are ranked #1 in Asia and high in international rankings. Employment opportunities are also good here and many large companies do approach students in the early stages of their studies, including myself as I have already received several offers too.

Tips for admission

For admission, you need to pass the results of the IELTS or TOEFL and GMAT or GRE tests. It is important to write a good essay as how the committee evaluates you would depend on it. You should also obtain recommendations from the right people – for fresh graduates, you can get it from your teachers; for those who have been working for a long, time, get the recommendation from your employers instead.

For those who are thinking about applying, I would advise you to tap on the LinkedIn network, and check out the NUS MBA alumni, their place of work, contact and possibly reach out to them to ask about their studies. Before entering, I wrote to one of them – Akhmet Ishmukhamedov. We met in Nur-Sultan and he shared useful information. This is how my first networking at the National University of Singapore began.

It is also advisable to contact the University committee and administration through LinkedIn. If you pass the first stage, they will be the ones who will be conducting the interview. I corresponded with them, and so, there was no need to introduce myself at the interview. I think this is a big plus, because the candidate shows that he is proactive and how much he/she really wants to enter the University.

The National University of Singapore also appreciates volunteering. If you have some time to spare before admission, I would advise you to do it. Contests, projects, various activities – all of which are useful for you to indicate in your essay. You would need it to somehow stand out from the crowd of candidates. All of these achievements would come together to create a portfolio that helps recruiters evaluate you and make the right decision.

Studying at NUS

The National University of Singapore has an excellent faculty. For example, one of the professors, Chu Singfat, brought homemade banana cakes to our last class. I have never experienced this before but it turns out that he does this every year!

Professor Joel Goh’s lectures are always exciting as well. During his class, we recently reviewed a case study about cranberry growers in the United States. In Southeast Asia, this berry is not common and so, he brought it for everyone to try and understand what it was about. Washed, packaged in bags and distributed to everyone. I have not seen any boring professors here, everyone is immersed and passionate about the subject they’re teaching.

I like that the programme is flexible as well. With both full-time and part-time offerings, the MBA programme is not limited by time – if you are busy at work, you can choose to manage your time and stretch your studies accordingly. The learning process here is transformative, we’re given flexible options to come to class on campus or connect online.

Learning culture and its people

The atmosphere is conducive to learning. There is a well-developed infrastructure with well-equipped classrooms. For those interested in working out, there are gyms, swimming pools and various sections. Events are often held and there is a vibrant Student Club ecosystem. I am the Vice-President of the Cultural, Social, and Community Club and our goal is to unite students. At NUS MBA, the ecosystem offers you opportunities to develop your networking and get to know more people.

However, due to the current pandemic, there will be restrictions on group activities.

To add on, there is a whole food culture in this country. You can go to any store and find products for every cuisine, from the national dishes of Southeast Asia to European cuisine.

There is also a large international composition or variety of cultures. I have found people with whom, I am sure, our friendship will last for many years.

How has the university influenced on me?

By the end of the semester, you would realise that the National University of Singapore has changed the way you think. My horizons are expanding; I’ve gained the ability to look at a particular situation from different perspectives. My strategic and systemic thinking have developed in both the short and long run. I have also developed my business communication skills while expanding my network. You would also get to learn a lot of insights and develop ideas that can be applied in the future.

This article is an adapted and translated version of the original article found on WEproject.