Singapore scholar enjoys career change

Graduation Feature

Budding Singapore entrepreneur Amir Ahamed is enjoying a career change from real estate to IT and accounting after completing an MBA at the University of Adelaide.

Amir was one of 108 students who graduated at an offshore ceremony at the Ngee Ann-Adelaide Education Centre (NAAEC) in Singapore on 22 April.

The former commercial property manager was awarded an NAAEC scholarship to study for his MBA externally after graduating with Honours in Estate Management BSc from the National University of Singapore.

Since completing the MBA in 2005, Amir has started working with the National Environment Agency with a very different portfolio, leading a team that handles revenue-related matters such as collections, debt recovery and refund. He is also the department's IT administrator and systems coordinator.

"The MBA has given me a lot of new skills to apply in the workplace," Amir said. "I now lead by example, share my vision and encourage self-motivation and high achievers in my team".

Before the MBA program, Amir was managing commercial properties for a local statutory board. "Having performed the same function for the past six years, there was a real danger of being pigeon-holed on my bachelor degree.

"The MBA has given me a foundation in accounting and finance, which I find invaluable for decision-making. The theories and ideas from the MBA have really helped me to mould, manage and lead my team," he said.

Amir said winning an NAAEC scholarship was "a real honour".

"The scholarship is an added incentive to perform at a higher level," he said.

Story by Candy Gibson