Role model for young Malaysians
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- Category: E-Media
- Posted by Business Day
A young New Zealander has managed to combine science and entrepreneurship to top the list of 'The 2011 influencers' in her country. Not only does she hold a doctorate in the field of science and technology, she has also under her arm a Harvard MBA. Our own young Malaysians could well take a leaf from Privahini Bradoo's book in not only striving for higher standards in tertiary education but casting an eye on developing new areas of business as well.
Vision 2020 is only less than nine years away but where are we now?
Vision 2020 is only less than nine years away but where are we now?
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The 2011 influencers
Privahini Bradoo
Talk about being on a fast track. Priv Bradoo is one of those people whose accomplishments, when reeled off, can make your head spin.
An edited highlights package would show: arrived from Oman to study at the University of Auckland aged 16; completed a first class honours Bachelor of Technology programme in just three years, during which time she also discovered a passion for entrepreneurship and served as the inaugural CEO of student-initiated innovation competition Spark.
Okay, take a deep breath now. Then, continue: completed her PhD under Sir Peter Gluckman at the Liggins institute aged just 24; graduated MBA at Harvard; managed business development for cleantech outfit Lanzatech and, finally, became founding CEO of San Francisco-based Biomine, a venture focused on extracting valuable metals from discarded electronics (e-waste). For that last effort, she took top honours in the 2011 Harvard MBA alumni new venture contest.
Geoff Whitcher, director of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning at Auckland, mentored Bradoo for much of that time.
"Priv has got it all. Very smart, very empathetic, catches on very quickly, creative, and has an enormous breadth of knowledge, both technically and increasingly on the business side."
Whitcher characterises Bradoo as a role model for a new breed of entrepreneurial scientist capable of making a big difference to New Zealand. "She's shown other students at Auckland, whether they be technologists, engineers or scientists, that you can become business-savvy."
On the line from San Francisco, Bradoo says those two worlds of business and science aren't quite as far apart as commonly imagined. "We tend to define entrepreneurialism as being about starting a business. I think it's more about a mindset that you can have as a scientist, an engineer, an artist, to be opportunistic and seek the best outcomes for your ideas."
But what about her ongoing influence? Is Priv Bradoo destined to be one of those New Zealanders who does all her best work overseas?
She says she is committed to New Zealand and sees an ongoing role as a mentor and motivator. She returns frequently and was recently a keynote speaker at an Auckland technology conference.
"I feel really strongly about it. When I got done with business school the first company I led the commercialisation of was Lanzatech, a New Zealand-based cleantech startup. I'd love to stay involved, and to help to shape the future of science entreneurship and leadership in New Zealand."
Talk about being on a fast track. Priv Bradoo is one of those people whose accomplishments, when reeled off, can make your head spin.
An edited highlights package would show: arrived from Oman to study at the University of Auckland aged 16; completed a first class honours Bachelor of Technology programme in just three years, during which time she also discovered a passion for entrepreneurship and served as the inaugural CEO of student-initiated innovation competition Spark.
Okay, take a deep breath now. Then, continue: completed her PhD under Sir Peter Gluckman at the Liggins institute aged just 24; graduated MBA at Harvard; managed business development for cleantech outfit Lanzatech and, finally, became founding CEO of San Francisco-based Biomine, a venture focused on extracting valuable metals from discarded electronics (e-waste). For that last effort, she took top honours in the 2011 Harvard MBA alumni new venture contest.
Geoff Whitcher, director of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning at Auckland, mentored Bradoo for much of that time.
"Priv has got it all. Very smart, very empathetic, catches on very quickly, creative, and has an enormous breadth of knowledge, both technically and increasingly on the business side."
Whitcher characterises Bradoo as a role model for a new breed of entrepreneurial scientist capable of making a big difference to New Zealand. "She's shown other students at Auckland, whether they be technologists, engineers or scientists, that you can become business-savvy."
On the line from San Francisco, Bradoo says those two worlds of business and science aren't quite as far apart as commonly imagined. "We tend to define entrepreneurialism as being about starting a business. I think it's more about a mindset that you can have as a scientist, an engineer, an artist, to be opportunistic and seek the best outcomes for your ideas."
But what about her ongoing influence? Is Priv Bradoo destined to be one of those New Zealanders who does all her best work overseas?
She says she is committed to New Zealand and sees an ongoing role as a mentor and motivator. She returns frequently and was recently a keynote speaker at an Auckland technology conference.
"I feel really strongly about it. When I got done with business school the first company I led the commercialisation of was Lanzatech, a New Zealand-based cleantech startup. I'd love to stay involved, and to help to shape the future of science entreneurship and leadership in New Zealand."
The full article can be read at Business Day