Aravinda Ram
Alumna - MBA Distance Learning - 2011
Aravinda is the Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor for Employability and Technology at Botho University in Botswana.
The experience of studying was great, and the support was excellent. The Distance Learning MBA helped me build my confidence, broadened my perspective, and helped me progress to a senior management role.
How did the MBA help your career?
The MBA gave me the confidence to take on challenging leadership roles, where there is a lot of input required on strategy, planning, and managing people. The academic content was relevant and engaging. Despite studying as a distance learner, the communication and online support were superb, and I felt supported the whole way. I also felt more confident in accepting challenging assignments, which contributed to my professional growth.
Did you visit Bradford during your studies?
As a remote learner, I felt it was important to connect with my institution, so I travelled to Bradford in 2010. It was quite an adventure because, en route to London, there was a volcanic eruption in Iceland, and my flight got stuck in the ash cloud before being diverted. I arrived late at night and the sun was still up, which all added to my confusion! On hindsight, this all made the trip very memorable.
However, from there, things were smooth sailing. I met some of my online classmates in person, interacted with lecturers, and visited the beautiful university buildings. Visiting Bradford deepened my sense of belonging. I completed my MBA with distinction and I’m proud to see the School of Management and Distance Learning MBA continue to rise in world rankings.
I would recommend studying and continuously learning—not necessarily in areas related to your current role or education. You have to remember that everyone is expected to have a diverse skillset and demonstrate an ability to learn on the go these days.
A Dynamic Role at Botho University
The best part of my role is that impact is very visible and underlines the importance of the work I do. It is very motivating and almost addictive, as I can clearly see how my decisions and actions contribute to the organisation.
However, this does mean that I need to take my role very seriously. There is little downtime, and I have to keep evolving to meet the demands of the role and make the best use of every opportunity that is offered. It’s a fast-paced role, there’s no fixed job description, and it requires me to evaluate the environment and pivot as required. This is the exciting part of my role, and while it brings a lot of unknowns every day, it is also what keeps me on my toes and enables me to grow.
Looking Ahead: Technology and Education
Botho University began as an IT training institution in 1997, so technology has always been central to our growth. We were among the first universities in sub-Saharan Africa to provide free laptops and, later, tablets to students, minimising barriers to technology and widening access to opportunity.
We were also the first university in Africa to offer remote internships for academic credit, enabling students from Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, and Botswana to secure global placements and jobs despite regional internet challenges. These successes have become international case studies, showcasing the transformative power of technology in education.
This is sub-Saharan Africa—it’s full of beautiful countries and talented people. Technology helps us showcase their potential to the world. If anyone is interested in seeing how technology-driven education is changing lives here, I invite them to connect with me on LinkedIn.
