MBA from UK or LUMS ?
I have just read the post regarding moving back to Pakistan, which provides a very good starting point. I’m in a similar position and have been thinking about the moving back to Pakistan for sometime.
The main driver for the move is coming back to my parents. I have a successful career here and am doing very well but just find that something is missing and would also like to contribute positively to Pakistan.
So i want my move to really work and am willing to give it all.
I graduated from the University of London and have been working in satellite communication for the last 5 years. I don’t know what Pakistan has to offer on that front so i am now thinking of starting something myself and also study when i get back to Pakistan.
I have decided on doing an MBA from LUMS to help diversify a bit and secondly ease myself back into the system as i have been away for quite a few years.
Is LUMS a good option to do my MBA from as i am planning to move back and stay there i don’t see the point in doing an MBA from the UK as the LUMS one is more tailored for Pakistan and has a very good reputation. Plus i might learn a bit about business as currently i work more on the technical side.
Or should i be thinking of doing an MBA from the UK and then come back? What should i do, i’m personally more inclined to go to LUMS as i can move sooner.
How should i approach this?
Thanks
Daanish
No related posts.
LUMS is an excellent place to do MBA. Almost all the students from LUMS have job offers well before they graduate. I think that you cannot go wrong with choosing LUMS.
That said, my concern is that you have been working in Satellite Communication. In my opinion it may be hard to get a job relevant to your field. Even if you do get something, it will be more of an operations job rather then a technical job.
However if you do not care much about what field you are in or what kind of work it is as long as you are earning money and are close to your parents, then once you have an MBA degree, there is no way that you cannot have your dream life in Pakistan.
There has always been a need of MBA holders and chartered accountants in our country.
My last concern is if you have UK nationality? If not then how long till you get it. The decision to come back is much easier once you have nationality in a first world country because it means a secure future of your kids and a backup plan in case something goes seriously wrong in Pakistan.
Cheers!
I recommend you to do MBA from LUMS. As you said this will help you to get used to the environment and at the same time with an opportunity to interact with local brilliant minds. Moreover I believe employer would also prefer a LUMS MBA having International Exposure over someone who just have international degrees and knows nothing about the local market.
Dear Daanish,
Currently i’m doing my MBA from LUMS and will graduate in a couple of weeks. By God’s grace, ive been able to get a very lucrative offer in an Abu Dhabi bank so will leave Pakistan before July 06th. LUMS graduates are offered jobs throughout Pakistan in top companies and the Middle East as well including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudia Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait. I did my under-graduate degree is in computer sciences from FAST-NU Karachi, worked for a couple of years in a few software houses and then started my MBA from LUMS and now have decided to ditch IT and pick up a banking career. My rationale behind joining LUMS was that if you’re planning to do your MBA in Pakistan, theres no place like LUMS (if affordable – Rs 10 lacks for 2 yrs approx). Second best option is IBA in Karachi. I’m studying on scholarship so LUMS finances wasnt a problem. Had admission in both IBA and LUMS but opted for the latter and decided to re-locate to Lahore from my home town Karachi for 2 yrs.
Enough with my background, coming back to you, by reading your blog, the place from where you do your MBA seems not important as your priorities are inclined towards 1-Parents 2-Contributing to Pakistan. Anyways, in either case (UK or LUMS) ur gona do well
Future in Satellite Communication in Pakistan, hmmmm, im not too sure, ull get stuck here struggling to find a job. I would recommend you to consult ur relatives of pursuing your career in satellite communication in Pakistan.
But on the other hand if you do your MBA from LUMS, you have your options open to Marketing, Finance, HR, and if you get lucky your own previous experience and even consultancy etc.
But you should keep this in mind that MBA from LUMS will be of “zero” worth in UK, and MBA degree from a “not so renowned” UK university will be of very little worth (totally my opinion) here in Pakistan. So make sure if u decide to do your MBA from UK, it should be a renowned university, u’ll be worth millions oer here then.
The nationality part mentioned by Aman earlier is a good point. Keep that into consideration as well.
My reccomendation: Come back to Pakistan (preferrably with your nationality if its not 5 more years from now) and do your MBA from LUMS cause sacrifices made for parents will definitely make u an exceptionally successful person in the future
My cell no till July 4th will be +92-346-4660006. If you need any help , gime a call 
Thank guys for taking time out to reply to my query, I won’t reply individually sorry about that.
I am a UK national and have actually spent more time outside Pakistan than in it.
Secondly regarding whether I can carry on with the work that I am doing, to be honest I don’t mind if I don’t work in the same field. For me it’s been a dream to work in the industry truly an opportunity that many people won’t get I have got to travel the world and work in different places, but I can move on (been there done that). When I talk to some people regarding my move a lot of people just think I am crazy to leave my career and go back to Pakistan and think that I’m being ungrateful and should hold out a bit longer. But how I see it is I would rather spend time with my parents rather than keep pursuing my career here and do something back in Pakistan.
I have chosen LUMS as I think it’s a great institute and would really help me ease myself in and as i’m planning to come back for good I think it’s the best study option. Yes I can do an MBA from London and that is what everyone I know is saying but I have been to a few open days at top ranking universities, no doubt doing it from one of these institutes in London would be great but I don’t see how they would help me for the Pakistan market as they are more tailored towards working here in London and Europe. Secondly when you look at the cost associated with it I can’t see much value, because once you add up fees and living cost you are looking at £50k – £100k. Now I might have a short term outlook but I think that is too much to pay, how will I recover the cost? Yes the name of the institute and the network would be great to have but is it too much a price to pay? It would basically mean I will have to end up working here for longer than I want.
I have also looked at NUS (Singapore) which might also be a good option cheaper than here and overall very good.
If things don’t work out in Pakistan ( Hopefully that will not be the case) the middle east would be better as it’s closer to home, as Khurram has just mentioned that LUMS has a good reputation in that region. So that’s my reasoning does that make any sense.
Regarding LUMS how is the Executive MBA? Would it be a better option to immerse myself completely or do it on a part time basis after finding a Job or starting something up? I have a few months to think this over for next years admissions.
Khurram, how many international students are there at LUMS or are the all from Pakistan (Not that it make much difference) and how is the faculty?
Thanks again everyone I have been thinking about this for a long time now, nice to get some advice.
D
Dear Danish,
If I were YOU, I would prefer MBA over executive MBA. Executive MBA is mainly for people who are sponsored by their companies to go for a specialized training. MBA will give you an opportunity to go through different options within an MBA (Marketing, Finance, HR) and chose the one that you like. It looks like that you have done your homework and I am pretty confident that you will make things work for yourself.
There are lots of lucrative opportunities in Middle East now a days. With your experience + UK nationality, you should have no problems in getting a decent offer.
You can check LUMS MBA Faculty here.
http://www.lums.edu.pk/graduate_programmes/mba_faculty.php
Best of luck.
Hi! Mariam
Thanks for that, helps me a bit more in making my decision.
Daanish
Starting an MBA is always a good option. Design Management Education is a high quality education that MBA offers to all professional and business experts.
It is very important in this global world that professional continue working on its future to get enough tools and be able to face all business requirements.
regards
Estela
hello everyone,
with reference to an MBA from LUMS…the feedback i got from one friend who recently completed his studies was that most of the students who graduated this fall are still jobless.and the companies that came in during the open house to recruit ‘management trainees’ had a minimum age ceiling (27yrs) at the time of test/interview.
having said that, my question is: is it rele worth going to LUMS for an MBA after having 5-6 years of professional experience?
Danish
I think for lums u need 4 years bachelors degree to get in to their MBA…..also r u confident to get admission??
what if u do not get admission???
I think UK is easier for u…in UK there is 3 years bachelors which is no enough for lums MBA
I think u should stay in the uk and get admission there and get expereince there
after gettign expereince and UK nationality try in pakistan
But do not come just like this
Any chance you could advise an excellent feed reader? I wish to follow your internet site to keep up with what you write.
Hey guys I need some help.. I’ve completed my A levels this year.. Nd I intend to do my bachelors in Accounting and Finance.. What would be a better choice? Lums or Monash or Nottingham university Malaysian Campus.. I’ve heard universities like monash nd nottingham are doing very well there and they are any day better than any pakistani university..
@Ali
It depends on what your goals are. If you want to work in Pakistan or the Middle East then LUMS is a great option. I studied there myself.
But if you want to work abroad and can afford to study in Australia then Monash is the better option. These days I have noticed that those who can afford to study abroad are opting to go abroad rather than study at LUMS.
Thanks
But what about malaysia? How is it education wise? Would it be worth getting a bachelors degree from monash or nottingham malaysia?
Btw.. @lums grad: I need a suggestion.. If I go to lums its gona me take me 4 years to complete my graduation nd I won’t be able to do acca along side aswell .. Wheras .. In malaysia .. Monash or nottingham .. There is less stress work nd one can do acca side by side aswell .. And widin 3 years if I can manage to do my graduation from one of the uni nd complete my acca aswell .. Den still would lums be a better option even if I want to come back to pakistan ? Please reply
Khurram , I am also from FAST doing BBA, How did you prepare for LUMS Test and how much you scored to get admission with Scholarship. Anyone else can give me some tips as I am planning to appeare for LMAT in 2012, Where and How to prepare to get admission with full or partial Scholarship or Loan, Or Should I do MBA from Foreign University. As I want to live in Pakistan or UAE Inshalla. kindly Suggest me
i think any uk university is better then lums..as most of the good universities in uk have ranking under 500 while lums is far away..uk is best if u can afford it