{"id":1990,"date":"2025-12-01T09:00:24","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T09:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/on-parade\/?p=1990"},"modified":"2025-12-01T11:32:49","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T11:32:49","slug":"parade-profile-noora-alfaez-mba-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/on-parade\/2025\/12\/01\/parade-profile-noora-alfaez-mba-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Parade Profile: Noora Alfaez (MBA 2021)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before\u00a0coming to\u00a0Bath,\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Noora\u00a0was already running\u00a0her own business in Malaysia \u2013 but she felt there was a gap between her ambition\u00a0and\u00a0experience. She knew she wanted to build something\u00a0with staying\u00a0power but\u00a0needed the strategic mindset and confidence to\u00a0go forward.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At Bath, she found\u00a0just\u00a0that. The\u00a0MBA\u00a0gave\u00a0her\u00a0knowledge\u00a0and a community that helped her grow as a leader and a thinker.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, she\u2019s\u00a0Co-Founder and Strategic Project Manager at Hyflux, helping to advance zero-emission aviation and shape the future of clean technology in the UK.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why did you choose to study at Bath?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I chose Bath because it\u2019s one of the top MBA programmes in the world. The lecturers were another big draw \u2013 especially Margaret Heffernan. Her Leading and Managing Organisational Behaviour module influenced how I think about leadership and strategy.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And, of course, Bath itself is such a beautiful, magical city.<\/span>\u00a0T<\/span>hat was\u00a0the cherry on top!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Did you have a particular career in mind when you chose your course?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At the time, I had already started my own business in Malaysia, but I\u00a0was starting to\u00a0feel the limits of my experience. I saw the\u00a0MBA\u00a0as a way to\u00a0accelerate my growth\u00a0and\u00a0to gain the\u00a0skills I\u00a0needed to build something lasting. I wanted\u00a0make\u00a0my\u00a0ambition\u00a0a reality, and Bath\u2019s\u00a0MBA\u00a0helped me achieve\u00a0that.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you tell us about your experience of studying here?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Studying at Bath was\u00a0transformative. I loved how the programme combined\u00a0theory with practice\u00a0\u2013\u00a0especially through the five consulting projects, which gave us real client challenges to solve.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Leading and Managing Organisational Behaviour was one of my favourite modules, and the international community made the experience\u00a0so\u00a0special. I learned so much from working with people\u00a0with\u00a0different\u00a0ways\u00a0of thinking\u00a0from\u00a0different cultures\u00a0and\u00a0backgrounds.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Did you take part in any extracurricular\u00a0activities\u00a0during your time at Bath?\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0get to join any clubs\u00a0as I studied during the pandemic.\u00a0But I did\u00a0volunteer\u00a0to translate PowerPoint slides and interpret during meetings to help refugees find jobs. It was a small way to contribute during\u00a0a difficult time, and it reminded me how education and communication can empower people.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Describe your career journey since graduating.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After graduation, the road\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0easy\u00a0\u2013\u00a0the job market was\u00a0tough, and it took me 19 months of\u00a0applications and more rejections than I can count before I found my breakthrough. During that time, I freelanced\u00a0and kept learning.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I first worked with my\u00a0MBA\u00a0course mate\u00a0Paul Perera during one of our consulting projects at Bath. After graduation, he contacted me\u00a0to help as an interior architect on a short project for the Welsh Government. That collaboration went well, and later, he reached out again\u00a0\u2013\u00a0this time inviting me to join Hyflux Ltd, a start-up pioneering hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for zero-emission aviation and maritime applications.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At first, I joined as an employee, but through\u00a0consistent delivery, I became central to shaping the company\u2019s direction. I helped deliver key\u00a0projects\u00a0like\u00a0SUPERCOOL and\u00a0PowerSim, which directly support the UK Government\u2019s Net Zero strategy by developing hydrogen-based cooling systems and propulsion models for future\u00a0aircraft\u00a0and ships.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Today,\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0proud to be\u00a0a\u00a0Co-Founder\u00a0and Strategic Project Manager at Hyflux.\u00a0We\u2019re\u00a0working hard to position the UK as a leader in superconducting motor technology\u00a0\u2013\u00a0a field that can revolutionise clean aviation\u00a0\u2013\u00a0while creating a strong job market for British\u00a0experts.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What do you enjoy most about your career?\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It connects innovation,\u00a0creativity\u00a0and purpose. Every day, I work on technologies that could redefine how we power\u00a0aircraft\u00a0and ships\u00a0\u2013helping to\u00a0turn\u00a0zero-emission transport into a reality.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At Hyflux,\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0helping the UK strengthen its position as a global hub for superconducting and hydrogen-electric technologies, contributing to both the Net Zero 2050 targets and the creation of high-skilled jobs for British talent.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve\u00a0always believed that we\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0inherit the Earth from our ancestors,\u00a0we borrow it from future generations. That belief fuels my motivation to design solutions that make a real difference.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I also love the creative freedom that comes with being in a start-up\u00a0\u2013\u00a0I\u2019ve\u00a0had the chance to influence our marketing strategy, shape\u00a0partnerships\u00a0and meet incredible industry leaders from companies like Airbus and Embraer.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How did your studies help you develop professionally and personally?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I learned to connect ideas across disciplines, think strategically\u00a0and lead with\u00a0empathy and structure. It taught me that great leadership\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0about control, but\u00a0creating clarity, trust, and momentum, even when things feel uncertain.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On a personal level, the\u00a0MBA\u00a0strengthened my resilience. I moved to the UK, adapted to a new culture, and balanced my studies,\u00a0motherhood\u00a0and ambitions through the challenges of lockdown. That\u00a0journey\u00a0gave me the\u00a0qualities that became the foundation of how I now lead and collaborate.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What advice would you give to prospective students thinking about studying your course?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

My advice is simple: make every moment count.\u00a0The Bath\u00a0MBA\u00a0is more than a qualification\u00a0\u2013\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0an opportunity to rediscover yourself. Be curious, take initiative\u00a0and\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0be afraid to ask questions or challenge assumptions. The more you engage, the more\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0grow.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Treat every consulting project,\u00a0lecture\u00a0and conversation as a chance to expand your perspective. Learn from your classmates\u00a0\u2013\u00a0they come from every corner of the world and bring lessons no textbook can teach. And most importantly, use the experience to shape who you want to become, not just what you want to do.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you give your best and approach the programme with dedication and curiosity, it will open doors you never imagined.\u00a0You\u2019ll\u00a0leave with knowledge, confidence\u00a0and a sense of purpose\u00a0that stays with you for life.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Before\u00a0coming to\u00a0Bath,\u00a0Noora\u00a0was already running\u00a0her own business in Malaysia \u2013 but she felt there was a gap between her ambition\u00a0and\u00a0experience. She knew she wanted to build something\u00a0with staying\u00a0power but\u00a0needed the strategic mindset and confidence to\u00a0go forward.\u00a0 At Bath, she found\u00a0just\u00a0that. The\u00a0MBA\u00a0gave\u00a0her\u00a0knowledge\u00a0and...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2002,"featured_media":1991,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[3,119,120],"tags":[5,15,136,76],"class_list":["post-1990","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-international","category-parade-profiles","category-school-of-management","tag-alumni","tag-international-2","tag-mba","tag-school-of-management"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/on-parade\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2025\/11\/Parade-profile-header-31.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/on-parade\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1990","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/on-parade\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/on-parade\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/on-parade\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2002"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/on-parade\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1990"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/on-parade\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1990\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/on-parade\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1991"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/on-parade\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1990"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/on-parade\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1990"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/on-parade\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1990"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}