"Opportunities don’t just happen; they are built through the right connections, the right mindset, and the courage to take initiative. Ahmedabad University gave me that platform; Forbes Marshall gave me the stage to perform."

There is a constant fascination with the opportunities Ahmedabad University offers, not just in my field of study, supply chain management, but across disciplines and industries. In December 2024, I had the chance to work as a Research Assistant for a residential leadership programme held on campus, an experience that introduced me to myriad perspectives on the global competitive world.

With senior leaders from major conglomerates such as Tata Chemicals, Pidilite, and others participating in discussions and research on Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), I had the opportunity to contribute to strategy, research, and applications aimed at rebuilding India’s position as an industry leader in APIs, a title currently dominated by China.

While the experience deepened my understanding of industry dynamics, something incredible unfolded. Volunteering at the programme gave me a rare, close-up view of how business leaders think and collaborate, and eventually led to an unexpected interaction with Dr Naushad Forbes, Member of the Board of Governors at Ahmedabad University and Co-Chairman of Forbes Marshall.

While one usually envisions formal, unidirectional communication with leaders, it was inspiring to see Dr Forbes break the mold of formal leadership by joining us for dinner and asking about our dreams. That simple interaction immediately showed us that we have direct access to our leadership.

I remember thinking it’s one thing to reach for the stars, but having dinner with one while sharing your dreams is quite another. That evening became a turning point. I knew then that when the time came to pursue my internship, it had to be at Forbes Marshall.

From there, the entire University’s learning ecosystem, including the professors and the Career Development Centre, came together to bring me an inch closer to living this reality. They became instrumental in facilitating the process for seeking a summer internship opportunity at Forbes Marshall in the Supply Chain Excellence team.

I started at Forbes Marshall eager to learn, and the experience far exceeded expectations. I gained immense, real-world knowledge, directly applying my Ahmedabad University pedagogy to research, analyse, and adapt to complex business challenges.

Over the internship period, I learned novel concepts of Supply Chain Management through various personal and team projects that reinforced my long-term goal to build a business in international trade, because now I understand the operational backbone that makes global business possible.

Some of the best moments included working closely with the Supply Chain Excellence team, where I got hands-on experience with creating BPAs and sourcing rules in Oracle ERP, coordinating the PPE vending machine automation project, and building a strategic vendor database.

I also got to support the Vendor Code of Conduct rollout, understand the impact of innovative packaging changes, and learn about key initiatives like the Advanced Shipping Notice system and the new RMS ticketing process that drastically improved internal material delivery. The internship also led to a strong mentor-mentee relationship, where I had the chance to connect with Dr Forbes, to discuss learnings, applications and future endeavours in the field.

In hindsight, this internship was the turning point for a 21-year-old student figuring things out. It was far more than learning. It was a crucial exposure to reality, leaving with a realisation never to miss an opportunity that Ahmedabad University offers, because you can't predict how it will shape your future.

The courses at Ahmedabad University, especially Operations Management, helped me build a strong foundation in concepts. During my internship at Forbes Marshall, I could clearly connect these learnings to real-world operations, mirroring the supply chain models discussed in class. This experience showed me how academic learning at Ahmedabad University translates seamlessly into industry practice.

As a student, you always want to belong to a university that fosters growth and supports you in personal, academic, and professional development, and Ahmedabad University, through its opportunities, often found in seminars, conferences, research projects, and events, has been a strong support in my journey as an undergraduate student.

As I continue my academics as a supply chain management student, I have not only brought what I learned from the work I did but also the value systems that lie at the heart of major conglomerates.