Meet the MBA Class of 2024: Edo Prayogo, University of Oxford (Saïd) by: Jeff Schmitt on July 29, 2024 | 156 Views July 29, 2024 Copy Link Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email Share on LinkedIn Share on WhatsApp Share on Reddit Edo Prayogo University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School “Edo is a Management Consultant who also co-owns an independent library/ bookshop café in Indonesia.” Hometown: Bandung, Indonesia Fun Fact About Yourself: I love to read fiction books and review them on Instagram Undergraduate School and Major: Bandung Institute of Technology (Indonesia), Business Management Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Associate (Energy Practice) at Kearney Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: While doing my MBA, I worked on my entrepreneurial pursuit (also my childhood dream) to build an independent public library/ bookshop in Indonesia. While doing my MBA at Oxford, my friends (in Indonesia) and I are working on the project, including building the business plan, curating book collections, and designing the interior. Finally, we launched a public opening of our independent library/ bookshop café, The Room 19, in early December last year and has received so much support from the customers and local communities. We regularly held events such as book talks, art workshops, and writing workshops. We have a big ambition to expand and scale our café into an independent literary and cultural centre in the future. 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? I chose Saïd Business School because of its progressive curriculum that addresses the current structural issue with shareholder capitalism. I like the fact that even a traditional business course such as Management Accounting includes a discussion about the history of how short-term profit maximization became a central guiding principle of corporations around the world – and how accounting and reporting are evolving to address the issue. I also look forward to learning from Capitalism in Debate course where the students will discuss topics such as how capitalism functions and varies, the evolving role of business, and alternative conceptions of the corporation. What course, club, or activity has been your favourite part of the Oxford Saïd MBA experience? I was part of Oxford Saïd Finance Lab and Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) during the first term (Michaelmas). I really enjoy both labs so much. At OSFL I got chances to meet and hear from senior leaders in finance such as Rob Lucas (Managing Partner of CVC in London). who talked about his successful journey in private equity and his inspiring love for hiking including climbing Everest and K2. Another memorable talk was when Professor John Gilligan hosted the whole team member from Bank of America who worked behind the iconic IPO of Ferrari. What is the most “Oxford” thing you have done so far as a full-time MBA student? Visiting 15+ (out of 26) libraries of the University’s renowned Bodleian Libraries network. My favourite library is of course the Hogwarts Library aka Duke Humfrey’s Library. It was a magical experience when I stepped inside a library which I was only able to see on the cinema screen. I also love to explore bookshops, coffee shops, and cafés around the city to find places to wind down and spend my time reading fiction books and writing my reviews. One of my favourites is The Norrington Room of Blackwell’s bookshop, once one of the largest rooms full of books in the world. Surrounded by a massive bookshelf and a beautiful interior of books hanging from the ceilings really helps me to think clearly when I need to produce writings – be it my essay or book reviews for my Instagram. Oxford is known as a place where worlds collide, 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? It was my interaction with one of the judges of the Booker Prize 2023, Mary Jean Chan (she was an MPhil student at Oxford from 2012 to 2014), when she came to do a talk in the town. It was wonderful to hear from her about the details of the judging process for a prestigious literary prize. She also shares her view on the future and the importance of diversity in the literature and publishing industry. Reflecting on this, I aspire for The Room 19 to have its own literary prize for writers in Indonesia. Describe the biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Before leaving for my MBA, I led a project to help one of the largest Energy conglomerates in SEA improve its profitability to match its best-in-class peers. The project successfully delivered ~US$ 37 Mn in annual savings, derived from initiatives such as better mining processes, more efficient fuel usage, and improved procurement and contracting practices across the organizations. I also received a return offer as an engagement manager with the firm. What has been the biggest epiphany you’ve gained about yourself or the world since you started your MBA program? I realize that there is an alternative to shareholder capitalism and short-term profit maximization as the primary guiding principle of a corporation. Amidst the multiple crises of our time, (from extreme poverty and inequality, to climate change), the Oxford SBS program has helped me see ways in which the current state of capitalism must and can change. I believe that MBAs have the responsibility to contribute to solving the systemic and collective challenges of the 21st century. DON’T MISS: MEET OXFORD SAÏD’S MBA CLASS OF 2024