NANYANG EXECUTIVE MBA

Real Impact, Authentic Results: A Strategic Edge for Asia, Powered by the Nanyang Executive MBA

As a global hub, Singapore continues to attract expat professionals — many of whom are now turning to the Nanyang Executive MBA at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, a leading tech university globally, to accelerate their leadership journey.

Manuel Ungerer, the Senior Director of Engineering at AstraZeneca, shares an insightful perspective on why obtaining an EMBA from NTU Singapore makes sense.

“In Singapore, where technology, academia and business have grown side by side over the last few decades, institutions like NTU — ranked 12th globally — have gathered unique knowledge and expertise,” he says.

Currently a senior engineering manager at Zendesk, Etienne Dodat moved from France to Singapore in 2016 to fast-track his career. Seven years on, he chose the Nanyang EMBA programme over top European schools for its unique integration of business fundamentals with innovation and tech insights — an edge he sees as critical in today’s business landscape.

“Being a lifelong learner, I was drawn to the opportunity to deepen my theoretical foundation across multiple disciplines within a condensed timeframe. At the same time, I was really looking forward to gaining real-world insights through the immersive classes at the prestigious University of California, Berkeley (USA) and Tsinghua University (China).”

Gain Eastern and Western Business Perspectives

The 13-month Nanyang Executive MBA programme allows senior leaders to experience different pedagogical approaches at UC Berkeley and Tsinghua University in Beijing, offering them deep access to America’s culture of innovation and China’s digital ecosyste

Ungerer too was intrigued and excited about the prospect of exploring innovation ecosystems and business frameworks from the lens of two very distinct but equally influential economic powerhouses.

Recalling his visits to the two universities, Dodat says:

“My primary takeaway from the UC Berkeley segment was gaining eye-opening insights into the world of start-up financing and hearing inspiring stories from astute entrepreneurs.”

“The visits to an EV and an AI company and learning about their business challenges and strategies (during our trip to Tsinghua University) were quite helpful in decoding China,” he adds.

A Diverse Cohort for Regional Insights and Interdisciplinary Discussions

Jahanara Parveen, who works as the APAC Business Manager at GE Healthcare, chose NTU Singapore’s EMBA programme to learn alongside a diverse cohort of experienced professionals from key regions in Asia.

“It feels like an immersive education in navigating Asia’s diverse business landscape,” she says.

Engaging with her cohort — seasoned professionals in areas like accounting and operations — has helped her lead cross-functional teams within her organisation with greater confidence.

“One of the most powerful insights I have gained, especially through the cultural intelligence sessions in the EMBA programme, is that embracing feedback and being open to new perspectives is essential for excellent leadership,” she adds.

It’s commonly known that the strength of any EMBA lies in the quality of its cohort.
At Nanyang Business School, the candidate selection relies heavily on their professional experience, industry background, and leadership abilities.

“We place great emphasis on experience and the candidate’s motivation for joining the programme to curate a dynamic, globally diverse cohort,” explains Gilbert Chua, Director of Graduate Studies at NBS.

Interacting with his cohort — especially during group discussions — has been game-changing for Ungerer.

“I remember being quite surprised upon hearing how the local business etiquettes in Indonesia and Japan are vastly different from what I’ve encountered in Europe or Singapore,” Ungerer recalls.

These enriching exchanges have helped him calibrate the skills and strategies required to negotiate, resolve conflicts, and engage with stakeholders across the APAC region.

At the Intersection of Business, Technology, and Innovation

NTU Singapore’s technological DNA, combined with a rich history of innovation as demonstrated through its cutting-edge research centres, played a decisive role in Spirig’s decision to enrol for an EMBA there.

“I value the programme’s focus on AI, robotics, digitalisation and other emerging technologies and their impact on the business world,” he says.

Dodat echoes the sentiment:

“For example, incorporating perspectives from design, sales, operations and procurement — not just the tech departments — has equipped me to contribute to my company’s growth at an organisational level, whereas in the past it was more at a departmental level,” he adds.

Even though he started the programme only a couple of months ago, Ungerer feels it has already helped him look at innovation not just as a technical upgrade but as a mindset and leadership imperative.

“It nudged me to think about how knowledge is transferred, captured, and scaled across large organisations like mine. That has immediate relevance to the digitalisation and lifecycle management projects I lead,” he explains.

Personal and Professional Growth via Immediate Application of Insights

All four senior leaders feel that the Nanyang Executive MBA is thoughtfully designed and well-structured to accommodate the demanding nature of their jobs.

“I found the format of two weeks of full-day classes per segment quite manageable. I saw some of my colleagues rushing to attend classes after work hours, which felt a lot more challenging,” Dodat shares.

According to Parveen, the programme’s structure — wherein one continues to work in between segments — allows for immediate application of insights to solve real-world challenges.

Spirig’s biggest takeaway from the programme has been his ability to connect macroeconomic trends with industry dynamics and cultural nuances, resulting in more meaningful conversations with his clients and enriching his advisory work with strategic thinking.

He recommends the programme to anyone at a transitional point in their professional journey — be it stepping into higher leadership roles, exploring new industries, or aiming to drive change within their organisations.

Dodat, on the other hand, feels the programme accelerated his personal growth.

Calling himself an introvert, he says:

“The EMBA provided me the vocabulary and frameworks to participate in macro-level discussions, connect with various stakeholders in the company, and equipped me with the confidence to reach out to the CEO of my company. This wouldn’t have been possible without my participation in the consulting project module, for which I proactively reached out and interviewed the director of the National Bank of Rwanda.”

“The confidence to break down self-created barriers and push yourself out of your comfort zone can be so liberating!” he beams.

About the Nanyang Executive MBA

As technology, digital transformation, and sustainability continue to redefine global business, continuous learning is essential. The Nanyang Executive MBA brings together world-class faculty, high-impact modules in leading international business hubs, and a powerful network of global leaders across industries. Designed for experienced professionals, the programme equips you to lead with innovation, purpose, and strategic clarity. Its part-time, career-compatible format allows you to balance professional and academic commitments, with the option to extend over two years if needed.

Explore the programme and available funding options at: https://bit.ly/NanyangExecMBA or download the brochure to learn more.

Download the Nanyang Executive MBA brochure

Click here to learn more about the Nanyang Executive MBA programme or contact us at execmba@ntu.edu.sg.