Assem Asaubaeva: “The future belongs to those who learn faster than the world changes”

Graduate of the first MBA from Shakarim University on why a leader must constantly develop

Asem Sailauhankyzy Asaubaeva, director of the department - chief accountant of Shakarim University, belongs to the category of people who are convinced: a modern leader has no right to stop developing.

Having received a higher education, then a master's degree, she could consider her educational trajectory complete. But it was professional practice that prompted another decision - to enroll in the MBA program at Shakarim University.

According to her, today it is no longer enough to be a good specialist in your industry.

You need to be able to see the organization as a whole, understand the economics of processes, analyze risks, make strategic decisions and effectively manage people.

This, she believes, is what the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program teaches.

- Today, learning is a lifelong process. The world is changing so quickly that knowledge becomes outdated very quickly. If a leader stops learning, then sooner or later he begins to lose to those who develop every day.

When choosing an MBA program, Asem was not primarily looking for another diploma.

She was looking for new management tools.

- Bachelor's and master's degrees provide fundamental knowledge in the specialty. And an MBA is a completely different level. Here they teach how to manage people and processes, how to make decisions, how to analyze a situation from different angles, what modern methods of analysis exist and how to apply them in real work. For a manager, it is these competencies that become decisive.

She was particularly impressed by the teaching staff of the program.

According to her, the participation of foreign professors made it possible to see global approaches to management.

-I really liked that the classes were taught by teachers from foreign universities. They shared not only their experience, but also recommended modern scientific literature, international research, primary sources, and best global practices. This broadens your professional horizons and allows you to look at familiar tasks in a completely different way.

At the same time, the MBA program is designed specifically for working professionals and managers.

Almost all students combine study with work, many hold responsible positions.

Therefore, the main challenge is not the complexity of the program, but the competent distribution of your own time.

- The most valuable thing is the convenient learning format. Classes are held in the afternoon and online, teachers provide additional materials, so you have the opportunity to deepen your knowledge on your own. Of course, combining work, family and education is not easy. But everything is possible if you build time management correctly.

Asem is convinced that many still live by the outdated stereotype that you need to learn only in your youth.

Today this model no longer works.

Modern economy requires constant updating of knowledge.

And regardless of age, position or professional experience.

- Don't be afraid to start learning again. Don’t put off your development “for later.” The most profitable investment is an investment in your own knowledge. They determine the quality of your decisions, your competitiveness and your opportunities for tomorrow.

According to the graduate, the MBA program is especially useful for young professionals who want to quickly grow into leadership positions.

It helps to form management thinking much earlier, understand the principles of strategic management, learn to analyze complex processes and make informed decisions.

-Today the winners are not those who once received a diploma. Those who are able to learn throughout their lives win.

That is why the first graduating class of the Shakarim University MBA program is not just another educational program of the university.

This is the formation of a new generation of leaders who understand that leadership begins with the constant development of oneself.

To those who are just thinking about admission today, Asem Sailauhankyzy addresses simple but very important words:

- Don’t be afraid to go beyond the norm. Get away from the stereotypes that education ends with university. If you want to manage the future, first learn to constantly develop yourself.

Learn. Develop yourself. Move forward.

And one day you will definitely understand that the decision to enroll in an MBA was one of the most correct ones in your life.