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It’s not just about what business is, but what business could be. This reflects the philosophy of UBC Sauder — to challenge conventional solutions to the world’s most complex issues and approach problems differently.
“We’re redefining how we view success, creativity, and responsibility in business,” says Darren Dahl, Dean of UBC Sauder. “As a school, we encourage students to embrace diverse perspectives by respecting, listening, and learning from viewpoints that may differ from our own. By fostering this mindset, we aim to empower students to shape the future of business with innovation and purpose.”
This very philosophy drew Michelle Siaril to UBC Sauder – a move that would transform her future.
Growing up in a three-generation entrepreneurial family in Jakarta, Siaril had 90% of her extended family running their ventures across various industries. After studying accounting and finance in Australia, she returned home to work in finance for a few years before joining two family businesses in manufacturing and infrastructure.
However, Siaril’s true passion lay in starting her own venture. This led her to establish Pt. Solusi Nurti Sehat, a sustainable and healthy food and beverage company. In less than a year, she scaled the food-tech company nationwide, growing the team 20-fold and achieving cash-flow positivity.
Despite these successes, Siaril was inspired to pursue an MBA at UBC Sauder.
“I was inspired by the thought that business should not only focus on generating profit but also contribute positively to both society and the planet that we live in,” she says. “That led me to look at the options for an MBA that can provide me with those insights.”
World-class education and cultivating a global perspective
Located in Vancouver, the school offers a global business perspective, combining rigorous academic programmes with real-world relevance. As Canada’s top business school, the AACSB-accredited institution ensures graduates are well-equipped to drive change and shape industries worldwide. UBC Sauder offers a variety of programmes, including a Full-Time MBA, International MBA, Master of Management and Master of Business Analytics, all designed to blend theory with practical application.
UBC Sauder’s 16-month, Full-Time MBA programme caters to high-achieving professionals seeking to realize their full potential. Students can choose from five specialised career tracks that deepen their understanding of business in a specific field. The career tracks include: Climate, Technology and Analytics Leadership, Finance, Product and Service Management, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Students interested in a consulting career also have the option of creating a customized MBA that enables them to explore multiple sectors.
Nidhi Kamal Mohan, a UBC MBA student from India, appreciates the programme’s structured approach.
“The first four months are foundational, and you don’t select your tracks or areas of expertise right away,” says the BusinessWorld India 40 under 40 winner.
This ensures that all students, regardless of their diverse backgrounds, are familiar with the essential terminology and concepts before diving deeper into their chosen fields. As they progress, students can tailor their studies to fit their career goals. Mohan found this adaptability invaluable as she shaped her education to align with her aspirations in the startup ecosystem.
One course that stood out to Mohan was ‘Technology Entrepreneurship’, where UBC MBA and STEM students collaborate with postgraduate engineering and PhD students in a real-life simulation of what it would be like to run a technology startup — even going as far as pitching to actual venture capitalists.
“That experience really stood out for me,” Mohan says.
Siaril agrees. “Through ‘Tech Entrepreneurship’, I got to work with very talented and amazing people in my team,” she says. “The idea of that course is to create your startup, and ours was focused on utilising AI to help startups seek ESG or climate trends funding to help them scale up.”
With over 50,000 graduates worldwide, UBC Sauder has a vast network of contacts to enhance your career prospects. Source: UBC Sauder School of Business
Vancouver: A launchpad for innovation
UBC Sauder is located at the stunning Vancouver campus, right by the Pacific Ocean and not far from downtown — the heart of Western Canada’s business scene. Often referred to as ‘Silicon Valley North’, Vancouver is home to many successful startups.
In fact, Mohan chose Vancouver for this very reason. The city’s vibrant startup ecosystem and UBC Sauder’s extensive alumni community provided unmatched networking opportunities, crucial for anyone looking to succeed in early-stage ventures.
“There’s a programme called ‘Entrepreneurship at UBC,’ which isn’t limited to the School of Business — it’s open to anyone at UBC,” she says. “A lot of the tech innovations come from STEM fields, such as life sciences and applied sciences. It provides a platform and ecosystem where you can interact with founders and gain a deep understanding of every aspect of the startup ecosystem within UBC.”
Working with organisations such as the Association of Women in Finance and Women in Capital Markets, now known as Versafi, Siaril found more than just connections in Vancouver – the experience clarified her next steps of remaining in impact investing or climate finance roles.
“By connecting with people in such a diverse range of roles, I was better able to understand what I actually want from my career moving forward,” she says.
Maximising UBC Sauder’s vast network has taken Siaril around the world too: a consultancy project in partnership with Universidad de Chile and a drone company, and an exchange programme in Denmark, studying ESG and clean energy at Copenhagen Business School.
Inspiring business education in one of the most liveable cities in the world
UBC Sauder’s location allows students to enjoy Vancouver’s spectacular natural scenery and many outdoor activities. With its temperate climate, beaches are just minutes from campus, providing opportunities for sailing, paddleboarding, and kayaking throughout the year. Nearby majestic mountains offer skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer, promoting a healthy work-life balance.
“You have mountains, the sea, and a unique lifestyle where you can be sitting on the beach in the afternoon and skiing in the evening. That’s something only Vancouver offers,” says Mohan. “There’s a huge variety of outdoor activities, which provides a great balance to academic life. When you’re not doing assignments or studying for your MBA, there are countless opportunities to explore the outdoors and experience something new.”
Vancouver is just as renowned for its vibrant arts and culture scene, thriving culinary landscape, and professional sports teams. Most importantly, it has a relaxed energy that encourages students to find that balance between their academic pursuits and personal lives, making it an ideal place for ambitious entrepreneurs like Siaril and Mohan to thrive.
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