Mohamad Nazirul Iman Mohamad Akbar

After completing my MBA at Universiti Malaya, I continued my journey with the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), where I was entrusted with greater responsibilities, including overseeing the ASEAN & Oceania markets. In December 2025, I was appointed as Assistant Trade Commissioner at MATRADE Jeddah, a milestone that marked a new chapter in my career. I believe the MBA played an important role in preparing me for this transition by strengthening my strategic mindset, leadership confidence, and readiness to take on international responsibilities.

The MBA experience allowed me to grow beyond my technical background and see business from a broader perspective. Exposure to areas such as strategy, supply chain, accounting, and leadership has been invaluable in my current role, where I manage operations, lead teams, and support Malaysian companies in expanding abroad. More importantly, the program taught me that success is not driven by numbers alone—vision, branding, and thoughtful strategy are equally critical in creating long-term impact.

Looking back, my MBA journey at UM was truly transformative. Learning in a multicultural and intellectually stimulating environment, navigating virtual classrooms during the pandemic, and working on practical, real-world assignments strengthened my communication, research, and adaptability skills. I am proud to be a Universiti Malaya graduate, and I strongly encourage aspiring professionals to pursue the MBA at UM Business School as a platform to discover their potential, grow as leaders, and shape meaningful careers.