Abdul Gaffar Khan, MBA ’24, India
Basic Information
- Name: Abdul Gaffar Khan
- Program and year: MBA ’24, Specializing in Marketing
- Nationality: Indian
- Previous education background (university and major): Bachelor of Technology; Mechanical Engineering
- Previous or current company and role: Co-Founder of GRK Hospitality
Interview Questions
- Tell us about yourself. I hail from Bangalore, India, where my fascination with technology and innovation found its roots in my engineering education. My foray into the professional world began with managing my family’s restaurant. This experience ignited my passion for customer experience, prompting me to delve into marketing and business development. I knew I wanted to start something of my own someday, so with a few colleagues, we co-founded GRK Hospitality, where I’ve been working to perfect its brand growth and customer engagement strategies. My hobbies include exploring new consumer technologies, figuring out innovative ways to engage with my 2-year-old and photography.
2. Why did you decide to pursue an MBA program at this point of your career? I worked in Hospitality for close to 6 years and gained substantial experience in entrepreneurship and business operations. I did plan on expanding my Hospitality chain to North America, but I wanted to augment my skills with formal business education to scale to new heights. Pursuing an MBA, especially with a focus on Marketing, seemed like a strategic step to deepen my understanding of global business dynamics, strategic marketing, and customer experience design, empowering me to drive my ventures towards greater innovation and success. I have to say, it was the best decision I made in my career!
3. Why Schulich? 1) I primarily wanted to check two things off my list: I wanted to spend time with my family (newborn especially), and I wanted to aim for a business school that could nurture my Entrepreneurial side and give flight to my inner Marketeer.
Schulich’s MBA in India Program hit both boxes! 2)Schulich’s reputation for fostering a diverse and innovative learning environment, coupled with its strong emphasis on global business perspectives and sustainability, resonated with my personal and professional ethos. I am all about empathy and respect, and this school personified that when I met with Alumni and Admissions team. The school’s specialization in Marketing, integrated with real-world business challenges, offered the exact blend of theory, and practice I sought to enhance my entrepreneurial and marketing acumen.
4. What word or phrase describes your Schulich experience so far? Schulich has taught me to break myself down to my foundations and build myself back up again. Time and time again. Stronger than before. I think this unlearning and learning has helped me cope with a few professional and personal challenges I faced. I’m a life-long learner now!
5. What have you enjoyed the most about Schulich’s MBA program? / What is the most memorable moment at Schulich? 1)The most enjoyable aspect has been the collaborative projects and the opportunity to work with peers from diverse backgrounds. But I really loved the sincerity of the Professors here. They genuinely want to help you better yourself. I have made quite a few strides with their help. 2)A memorable moment being elected as the Director of Marketing and Communications for the GBC. That was my first big challenge – working with the school, students and stakeholders really taught me a lot!
6. What is your plan after graduation and how has Schulich helped with that? Immediately post-graduation, I plan on exploring the customer experience domain within Canada. The nicest population in the world must be the best at Customer service, right? 😀
In the long run, though, I aim to expand GRK Hospitality into a global brand, focusing on innovative customer experiences. Schulich has been instrumental in this vision, providing me with a robust foundation in strategic marketing, global business strategies, and leadership, preparing me to lead my company into its next growth phase with confidence.
7.What would you like prospective students to know about Schulich’s MBA program? Schulich is what you make of it. It projects your best self if you plan to make yourself that way. You’re offered a chance to learn from the best in the world. Enter with the intention to learn, and you’ll leave being the best.
8.What advice do you have for someone who considers pursuing an MBA at Schulich? Schulich has stood its ground as being consistently the best. I think Schulich and its brand will outlive your planned program duration. Add that factor into your decision and you’ll see a clearer path ahead!