5 Minutes with MBA Graduate Nalin Dissanayake

We were fortunate to have the opportunity to speak with MBA Graduate Nalin Dissanayake during the 2014 Graduation Ceremony. A student from our Teaching Centre located in Sri Lanka, the Oxford College of Business, he shared with us how completing the MBA has changed his life, and his advice for future students considering an MBA.

How has completing an MBA changed your life?

It has changed quite a lot. In Sri Lanka, the working environment is quite competitive. Since I have started the MBA from AIB, I have already planned the next steps in my career.  I am looking forward to more success in the future. We have studied, we have learned, we have practically applied theories that we learned in MBA classes – and now I’m looking forward to the continued progression of my career.

What is the one piece of advice would you give to prospective students who were considering an MBA from AIB?

I guess the biggest case here is the 12 month MBA. A lot of people think that with their workload, pressures at home and so forth; they think they won’t be able to complete it in a year. It can be hard, completing 11 subjects and a final project in the space of 12 months – but if you make up your mind, you can go for it. Once it’s done, it’s done – and you have a fantastic qualification to your name.

Would you recommend the AIB to your friends and colleagues?

Absolutely, I would recommend it. I am working for a large national bank back home, one of the biggest in Sri Lanka, with almost 4200 staff – and whenever there is an enquiry from one of the bankers about further study and completing an MBA, they talk about AIB and give my name as a reference. There must be at least 5 or 6 employees from my company who are currently studying through AIB – I can really recommend it.

This article has been constructed by Simone Ball from an AIB video interview. The very best has been done to accurately reflect the thoughts and opinions of the participant.