2025 February Alumni of the Month
Niels Brabandt, MBA (Master of Business Administration), 2024
Why did you choose to study at UEL?
I chose to study an MBA (Master of Business Administration) with UEL because London was my first international city and a London degree is a long-held dream. I fell in love with the diverse and beautiful Docklands Campus. Due to the nature of my work, I needed the flexibility of a fully online degree. Therefore, I chose to study the Executive MBA that’s powered by the Ducere Global Business School platform. Ducere Global Business School is a collaborative partner of UEL’s and, although remote, still provided me with a degree that is fully recognised as an award of the University of East London.
What is your one special memory of your time at UEL?
UEL is a very modern and welcoming university. The spirit of science and striving for achievements are omnipresent. UEL gave me the opportunity to excel despite not coming from a business background.
What have you done since graduating from UEL?
Since graduating from UEL, I have grown my business and the Executive MBA held a significant share in this. The content made me understand how to grow my business better and in a more sustainable way.
What is your current job role? And what does it involve?
I currently run my own business conducting leadership consultancy. I work globally with leaders and since I graduated from UEL, a significant number of doors opened which were not open before.
How did UEL help you get to where you are now?
The open and welcoming atmosphere at UEL helped me to thrive. As part of the LGBTQIA+ community, I was in a safe space which at the same time allowed me to grow my skills to a level unknown to me before.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would advise my younger self to focus on science, proof and evidence. Learn the facts, get the proof of your skills, and of course, join a university education. I believe continuous learning is necessary to develop a growth mindset.
What advice would you give to UEL current students preparing to graduate?
I would advise current students to ensure they read all their assignments carefully to understand the questions. Focus on the questions and the results without getting distracted. Be sure that every claim you make is backed by science. Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know: I grew up in a small village and worked my way up to run an international business. Being part of the LGBTQIA+ community is not always easy, but it showed me how important it is to truly be yourself.
If you were to do it all again, would you still choose UEL?
Yes, I would 100% choose UEL all over again, as my experience was amazing and benefited my career immensely.
