INTERVIEW
The MBA helped bring out my inner confidence in business, allowed me to think strategically and rationally, and reignited my love for lifelong learning
is wonderful to know that we have a strong global network of MBA graduates that are there to support one another in business and personally.
easy – from being told that I wasn’t ‘good enough’ to pass my exams when I was younger to getting global recognition for MBA Student of the Year was incredibly emotional for me. I could not have done this without the support of Olga Suhomlinova, the Course Lead for the distant learning MBA programme at the University of Leicester School of Business. She genuinely wants the best for her students and knows exactly how to bring the best out of them. I am also grateful to the judges – I was among some amazingly stiff competition. How do you see winning the MBA Student of the Year award impacting your career going forward? My mission is to enhance the lives of at least one million children in my lifetime. Social mobility is a big passion of mine. As well as continuing to grow Spark Academy and supporting children from disadvantaged backgrounds, I am also keen to help state schools develop systems and processes to generate additional
revenue and maximise staff productivity and happiness. I am also in the process of starting another two companies that will impact local businesses and community ecosystems around the UK. I am very committed to giving back to the University of Leicester and pleased to be serving on its External Advisory Board and am also involved with local and international charities. My journey through education has been challenging and winning this award will help me to spread the message that resilience, self-belief and a strong mindset can empower you to be the best version of yourself… and achieve the goals you have set for yourself along the way. What would your advice be to next year’s finalists of the MBA Student of the Year award? My advice would be to be your authentic and true self. Enjoy every moment of it. Remember, you are already a winner for being nominated and getting to this stage is very honourable.
How has your Business School continued to support you, post-graduation?
ULSB has been brilliant and ensured that students are aware of upcoming opportunities and ways they can get involved. I am also very honoured to be part of the external advisory board and contribute to the growth and development of the School. The Innovation Centre at the University of Leicester has been pivotal in helping me. It offers several programmes to enhance business through various schemes. Furthermore, its mentorship and support has been incredibly valuable. What did winning the MBA Student of the Year award mean to you?
Winning the award was a personal victory. My academic journey to date has not been
Mital Thanki Mital Thanki is the Founder and CEO of Spark Academy, an online tutoring company in Leicester, UK. During her MBA studies at the University of Leicester Business School, Thanki served as a mentor and role model for classmates, spearheaded programme improvements, and promoted the MBA while continuing to grow her business in a socially responsible way. She now serves as a member of the School’s External Advisory Board.
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Ambition | BE IN BRILLIANT COMPANY
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