Global Alumni Networks: Connecting in India and the UAE

India Alumni Network

On 31 January and 2 February, we held our first official in-person WBS alumni events in India since before the Covid-19 pandemic, with the help of our India Alumni Network Chairs: Sahil Vachani, Akshay Maheshwari, Shaina Lulla, Vinti Gajree, and Vinamra Maloo. Held in Mumbai and New Delhi, more than 70 WBS and Warwick alumni and students attended, enjoying evenings of networking and the opportunity to re-connect with their classmates.

At both events, James Hayton, Pro-Dean (External Affairs) and Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, chaired fascinating panel discussions on the topic of innovation and entrepreneurship. Our alumni speakers consisted of entrepreneurs and industry experts, with Sahil Vachani, Ishani Chanana Talwar, Sumedha Sharaff and Saachi Dhillon joining us in New Delhi and Akshita Gupta, Aparna Krishnan and Nisant Mohta speaking on our panel in Mumbai. Both sessions included a variety of different perspectives and experiences leading to diverse and thought-provoking discussions and insights on this important topic.

For making these events a success, thanks go to all of our alumni, our India Alumni Network Chairs, Regional Chair Sahil Vachani for hosting in Delhi, Professor James Hayton for chairing the panels, and our speakers.

Well-established alumni WhatsApp groups currently exist for Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Kolkata. If you would be interested in joining the WhatsApp groups, please contact alumni@wbs.ac.uk.

We look forward to continuing to grow the India Alumni Network and to holding more in-person engagement events in the future.

UAE Alumni Network

In February, representatives from our Global Alumni Engagement team were also in Dubai to support the growth of the UAE Alumni Network.

On 6 February, 60 alumni and MBA students attended the UAE Alumni Network event which explored business model innovation and sustainability. The event highlight was a fireside chat between Dr Hamad Buamim and Dr Ashley Roberts, Assistant Dean of Internationalisation. Hamad, who has recently graduated with a DBA from WBS and is the new Regional Chair for the UAE Network, shared insights from his doctoral research into business models, innovation and strategy.

Attendees also enjoyed group discussions and takeaways on business model innovation and sustainability with facilitators Professor Jacky Swan, Pro-Dean (Teaching and Learning), and Alumni Network Chairs Sorina Constantinescu, Yasir Qadri and Hassan Shuweihdi.

These valuable alumni events offer an opportunity for alumni to make new connections, strengthen their professional networks and learn more about further study at the School, such as the Warwick Leadership Pathways, to elevate their career. They’re also an avenue for alumni to explore the numerous ways they can give back to the WBS community, for example through volunteering time to speak to students about their career journey, representing WBS at fairs, volunteering to be a mentor on our Global Mentoring Programme, or offering work opportunities for students.

The UAE Alumni Network Chairs are vital in leading and supporting the Network and their insights were significant for shaping the event programme. Thanks go to all for contributing to a fantastic evening.