A New Delhi-born business lecturer from Newcastle Business School (NBS) has become the university's first ever graduate to be awarded a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).
Dr Sonal Minocha, who leads the Masters in International Business Administration programme at NBS, completed her part-time DBA in record timing - a whole year ahead of schedule.
Earlier this month Sonal donned her graduation robes to collect the DBA award at a special Newcastle City Hall ceremony in which Newcastle legend Alan Shearer also received an honorary doctorate.
Professor Sharon Mavin, Associate Dean of Research
at NBS with Dr. Sonal Minocha also of NBS
27 year old Sonal arrived at NBS in 2001 after successfully completing her undergraduate degree at Delhi University. She signed up for the Masters in International Business Administration course at NBS, the programme she now runs, after finding out about the course at a British Council Fair in Delhi. Having graduated with a distinction, she was offered the chance to study the DBA.
Sonal said: "I was all set to go home and had even booked my return ticket to India but I realised what a fantastic opportunity the DBA was to continue my studies at NBS. Needless to say I cancelled my flight and haven't looked back since - it was definitely the right move. It's been an intensive four years but all the sweat and toil has been worthwhile!"
Professor Sharon Mavin, associate dean of research at NBS, paid tribute to Sonal's success. "We are genuinely delighted for Sonal, not only for being the first DBA graduate at NBS, but for completing the programme one year in advance of its standard duration. As Sonal's principal supervisor, I take personal pride in her success, she really has set a shining example for all our DBA students."
Sonal became a member of NBS' teaching staff in January 2003 to help pay for her DBA. Within a few months she was appointed programme leader on the Masters in International Business Administration.
She said: "I was only 24 when I took the job and, as most students on the course are in their late 20s, this was quite daunting at first - but now I feel really at home.
I'm also involved with developing partnerships between the business school and educational institutions in India, such as the Welingkar Institute of Research and Development in Mumbai and I find this particularly rewarding."
Sonal has been instrumental in organising the launch of a unique Masters in Management Practice programme at NBS whereby students will spend 75 per cent of the course working within the business environment.
Participants will undergo three months intensive study before taking up paid employment arranged by NBS, the programme will start in September 2007.
Organisations interested in signing up to the programme, which gives students the opportunity to manage real business projects while earning a salary, are urged to contact NBS on 0191 227 4433.
Date Posted: 18.12.06