Maktar Uddin Barbhuiya

Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow

“Ambitious mind merging business acumen and political passion. Empathy, joy, and speed define my journey.”

Hometown: SILCHAR, ASSAM

Fun Fact About Yourself: Count me in as someone who gets a kick out of talking about moneymaking schemes. From wild business plans to clever investments, I’m all ears for anything that makes those coins jingle!

Undergraduate School and Major: B. Tech in Petroleum Engineering from Dibrugarh University

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Petroleum Engineer, Cairn Oil and Gas, Vedanta Ltd.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of IIM Lucknow’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The compelling factor behind my choice of IIM Lucknow for MBA was its esteemed reputation, and distinguished faculty, renowned for their authorship in management literature. The meticulously structured one-year MBA program in general management aligns perfectly with my aspiration to gain comprehensive insights into various facets of business, notably finance and marketing, where IIM Lucknow boasts a rich legacy. Among the array of options, IIM Lucknow stood as the unequivocal institution of choice for me.

What has been your favourite course or extracurricular activity at IIM Lucknow? What has been the most important lesson that you have learned from it? I really enjoyed studying finance, and I had a lot of fun taking part in national case competitions. Winning the 2023 EY CAFTA case championship with my teammate, focused on ESG evolution, was a major achievement. The biggest thing I learned from this was that solving these business cases is an excellent bridge between classroom learning and practical application. It sharpens critical thinking and problem-solving abilities effectively.

What excites you the most about International Immersion? What I find thrilling about the International Immersion program is the opportunity to engage in discussions with fellow students from our partner business school to understand their viewpoints on the current business landscape. Moreover, the planned industry visits during the immersion program promise valuable insights, which are equally exciting.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far. While employed as a petroleum engineer in the oil and gas field, my work arrangement involved alternating days on and off at rig sites. Leveraging my days off, I pursued my entrepreneurial drive by establishing a food processing MSME unit. I successfully marketed packaged food products across multiple districts in southern Assam. Overcoming numerous challenges, spanning operational intricacies to financial constraints, I managed to steer the business into profitability within a span of 5 years.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: My most notable achievement as an MBA student has been attaining profound insights into diverse management domains – from operations and corporate finance to marketing and strategic management. I’ve skillfully fused my past work experience with theoretical classroom learning, fostering a comprehensive perspective of the business realm. This course has empowered me to perceive the business world from multiple angles, painting a more lucid picture.

What do you hope to do after graduation? My post-graduation aspiration revolves around securing the role of a strategy consultant in a consulting firm. I am drawn to consulting by the prospect of engaging in dynamic projects that involve solving captivating business challenges, an endeavor that truly resonates with my passion.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into IIM Lucknow? Dedicate yourself to securing a solid GMAT or GRE score. Stay attuned to current affairs to excel in the interview process. If a profound exploration of the business world ignites your passion, recognize IIM Lucknow as the optimal destination. Balance hard work with well-deserved breaks – the program’s demanding curriculum requires preparation for a seamless journey. Good luck.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT LUCKNOW’S IPMX CLASS OF 2024