Nafisa Kapadia
Master of Business in Management student
AUT stood out to her because of its applied, industry-connected approach to business education, says Nafisa Kapadia who is originally from Mumbai and is now studying a Master of Business in Management.
“This felt like the right time academically and professionally to take on postgraduate study. After several years of working within the business operations sector and engaging closely with research, governance and industry stakeholders, I wanted to consolidate that experience with advanced academic training that could lead to meaningful research and impact.
“I chose the Master of Business because I wanted to deepen my understanding of how entrepreneurship, innovation and support ecosystems function in practice, particularly for immigrant and under-represented founders. AUT’s strong emphasis on real-world relevance, research impact and collaboration with industry aligned closely with my professional background and research goals. AUT also offers a supportive and inclusive environment for diverse students, which mattered to me.”
Expecting to complete her studies in early 2027, she has thoroughly enjoyed her studies so far.
“What I’ve enjoyed most is the practical nature of learning and the accessibility of academic staff. The ability to engage directly with supervisors, industry professionals and research participants has made my studies feel grounded and purposeful rather than purely theoretical. I’ve also valued AUT’s encouragement of independent thinking and critical reflection, especially within my research work.
“The university has also supported me in balancing full-time professional work alongside postgraduate research, something I hadn’t anticipated managing as effectively as I have. AUT supported me through flexible supervision, clear academic guidance and an environment that recognises the realities faced by working postgraduate students. That support made it possible for me to pursue ambitious opportunities without compromising academic integrity or wellbeing.”
Making connections with industry leaders
Aiming to pivot her career towards international governance and cross-cultural policy development, Nafisa has enjoyed the connections she has made through her Master of Business.
“AUT has enabled me to engage confidently with senior industry leaders, policymakers and entrepreneurs as part of my research. I didn’t expect to have the level of institutional support and credibility that enabled me to reach out to CEOs, directors and ecosystem leaders so early in my academic journey.”
But her research hasn’t been her only opportunity to meet leaders in business and politics.
“One achievement I’m especially proud of was being awarded the New Zealand Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia, where I represented AUT on an academic and cultural programme across India. The scholarship involved engagement with leading universities, innovation hubs, government bodies and CEOs, and aligned directly with my research focus on entrepreneurship. I even got to meet the prime minister!”
Advice for other students
Nafisa has some great advice for other students who are only at the start of their own university journey.
“Be proactive and don’t underestimate the value of starting conversations early, with your lecturers, supervisors and industry professionals. AUT offers many opportunities, but students get the most out of them when they actively engage, ask questions and take ownership of their learning journey.”
She wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Master of Business to other students.
“I’d recommend this programme to students who want a practically grounded, research-informed business education that connects strongly with industry. AUT provides the space to explore real-world problems while developing strong analytical and professional skills.”
