My Durham Story - By Isaac Were

By: Isaac Were Class of: 2012 College: St Aidan's College Subject: MBA Location: Botswana

Job title: Financial Management Consultant Organisation name: The International Fund for Agricultural Development

Why did you choose to study at Durham?:

I was looking for a premier business school to pursue an MBA, and the search had been long and arduous. When I came across Durham's profile, I immediately realised that this was the university that met my aspirations. In addition to Durham being a top 100 business school, I realised that its MBA programme included a finance option, which was my line of interest. I had no doubt a Durham MBA was a doorway to opportunities. I'm glad I chose Durham.

What was it like to be a student at Durham? Tell us about college life, the city, your course and any sports or societies you were involved in.:

I was not a resident student; I pursued my studies remotely, but the professors were great. What are your fondest memories of your time here?: The academic part was the highlight of my Durham experience.

What have you been up to since you left Durham?: I worked as a senior financial management consultant on projects funded by the World Bank and the African Development Bank. I'm presently consulting for the International Fund for Agricultural Development, a UN agency.

How has Durham inspired you to get where you are today? Tell us about any career highlights and achievements.*: The Durham MBA has contributed immensely to my career story. The type of work I do requires the kind of insights the MBA gave me. Successfully managing the finances for a $50 million project is among my achievements. My involvement in huge infrastructure and agricultural projects is another key highlight of the achievements I've attained since my graduation from Durham.

What would be your top piece of advice for anyone considering studying at Durham?: Durham is one of the many institutions that offer the best higher education in the world. It's a worthwhile investment to obtain a Durham qualification. I'd encourage anyone aspiring for high returns in life to consider obtaining a Durham qualification.

Why is staying connected to your alumni community important to you? Tell us about anything you have gained from your alumni engagement with Durham.: I believe the alumni community is one of the ways to prolong my connection with the University. The relationship established between Durham and me is lifelong in nature, and being part of the community gives vitality to this connection.

Any published work?: I've been part of the editorial team of the Institute Risk Management South Africa Risk Report for Africa for two years running since 2024.