Meet the MBA Class of 2022: Motaz Al-Ashhab, University of Oxford (Saïd)

Motaz Al-Ashhab

University of Oxford, Saïd Business School

“A management consultant with a passion for making transformative change in the world.”

Hometown: Amman, Jordan

Fun Fact About Yourself: I was once interviewed by Daily Planet on the Discovery Channel in an innovation competition for my capstone project, uNav.

Undergraduate School and Major: Management (Industrial) Engineering, University of Waterloo

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Senior Consultant – Strategy & Operations Consulting at Deloitte

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Oxford Saïd’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Apart from having the Oxford brand stapled to my name for the rest of my career, one key advantage of Oxford’s MBA program is the exposure to global industry leaders. We have had presentations, speeches and discussions by executive leadership from Meta, Zara, Danone, and Unilever. Not to mention the Oxford Union debates and speakers, one of which was the famous Walter White (Brian Cranston) from Breaking Bad!

What is the most “Oxford” thing you have done so far as a full-time MBA student? Aside from attending countless college formal dinners, the most Oxford thing I have done is wear my “Subfusc” for 10 hours straight during Matriculation day.

Oxford is known as a place where world collides, be it in the classroom or the dining hall. What has been the most interesting interaction you’ve had so far as an Oxford MBA student? In terms of cohort interactions, there are too many to count. The MBA cohort brings such a diverse set of experiences that I have had the honor to learn from. From Formula 1 team employees to agriculture entrepreneurs, I am continuously amazed by the unique work experience other students have had.

From a non-cohort perspective, the most interesting interaction was listening to a panel discussion from the lead developer of the Oxford-Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine, where she informed us of the roller-coaster journey she faced during the pandemic.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I have had the pleasure of working on a multitude of consulting engagements in a wide range of industries and geographies. Deloitte’s global footprint enabled me to work alongside consulting leaders from all over the world. My biggest accomplishment was receiving an “Exceptional Client Service” award during an engagement with a “Deloitte Crowne Jewel Client” for conveying brand and eminence across a team of 45+ senior-level consultants.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? Although this occurred very early in the program, one of my accomplishments was being elected as the Co-Chair of the Management Consulting Oxford Business Network (OBN). This enabled me to help in structuring and supporting consulting career initiatives and was yet another source of relationship-building with my MBA peers.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? I applied and was accepted to INSEAD and Cambridge Judge’s MBA programs. However, Oxford was the clear choice!

What has been the biggest epiphany you’ve gained about yourself or the world since you started your MBA program? The biggest epiphany was realizing that I am actually part of the world’s oldest and top-ranked university, studying alongside some of the world’s future leaders. I am continuously grateful for being here and witnessing all of the global impact that is being driven from this institution.

DON’T MISS: MEET OXFORD SAÏD’S MBA CLASS OF 2022

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