My name is Paras Kalura, I have a mechanical engineering background and after graduating I worked with the Hilti Group as an Account Manager. Within the span of two-and-a-half years I worked across three regions within India and learned about the different segmentations within the construction industry. Once I made a decision to pursue an MBA, I joined a non-profit that engages in CSR (corporate social responsibility) partnerships and outreach strategies. I also joined a social entrepreneurship start-up within the EdTech space which is working towards increasing the accessibility of digital education for students who come from marginalised backgrounds.

I chose to study at the University of Hong Kong because it is well known across the globe and the MBA school has consistently ranked amongst the best in Asia. This was the best suited programme for me as I wanted to pursue an Asia focused MBA. The partnerships with Columbia Business School, the London Business School and School of Management at Fudan University made my decision a no brainer. Hong Kong is the financial hub of Asia, a true expat city and a melting pot of multiple cultures. This is the place to be for someone seeking the global MBA experience.

Another reason for joining the MBA programme was to work with and learn, from peers from diverse career backgrounds. The programme is exploratory and is a training ground for me to learn new skills to help me change careers by joining the consulting industry.

I have found the HKU MBA programme quite intense so far as you’re always on your feet. There are a lot of activities and events happening so you have to prioritise according to your goals. I am enjoying every bit of this journey and would like to highlight that the HKU MBA staff (be they on the programme team, the CDT team or the alumni relations team) have been extremely helpful. Being a member of the HKU MBA Consulting Club means I can vouch for the fact that the support from the university is immense as they not only connect us with the relevant people but also help us to obtain key industry projects resulting in better career exposure.