Ernest Jacob Tuape
Global Pricing Project Manager / Merck KGaA
Ernest Jacob Tuape completed his MBA in August 2024. Originally from Uganda, he currently works as Global Pricing Project Manager at Merck KGaA. Read about his experiences in the program and how the MBA prepared him for his career in global business.
Why did you choose the MBA at Darmstadt Business School?
I had a few reasons: i) I found the possibility to study the MBA program on a part-time basis appealing, ii) I was living & working in Darmstadt and it was convenient for me, iii) the study modules were relevant to what I wanted to learn.
What was your personal highlight during the program?
I had many highlights. The unique personal experiences shared by classmates working in various industries and coming from different countries was an important highlight. My favorite highlights were the Strategic IT Management classes where we all needed to have project plans and keep minutes for the class. The Business Process Modeling session where we learned to visualize operational processes clearly was really helpful.
Would you recommend this MBA – and why?
I absolutely would. Prosspective students have different study options. I was a part-time student. I was able to balance full-time work and part-time learning. Although many of my evenings & weekends became occupied with studying and doing assignments, it was really worth it.
Which skills from the MBA do you use most today?
The Global Financial Management module gave me tools to identify, analyze and make possible inferences on the impact macro-economic changes on businesses. I pay close attention to global social, political and economic changes and use these to infer how they can impact costs and prices.
How would you describe the atmosphere within the program?
The atmosphere is warm and engaging. Participants in the program come from different cultures, professional backgrounds and industries. That encourages different perspectives to thrive.
Are you still in contact with your fellow students?
I'm still in contact with some of my former classmates. We meet-up occasionally. It takes initiative to nurture those relationships but I believe long term, it is worth it.
What surprised you the most during the MBA?
It was a lot harder than I had imagined. As a part-time student, the amount of time I needed to invest in studying surprised me. It took commitment and a lot of balancing.
What was your biggest challenge – and how did you overcome it?
I faced a few personal issues that meant I could not complete my MBA or complete the tuition within the initial planned time frame. When I informed the MBA team about this, I was given a flexible plan to work with. That took immense pressure off me and I was eventually able to complete everything a little later.