My name is Juius Mutagubya. I'm a qualified medical laboratory technologist with over 20 years' experience in laboratory diagnostic services and 15 years of health development and systems strengthening.

I was drawn to pursue the MBA at UniAthena simply because the programme was incredibly flexible to undertake. I could study whenever I wanted during the day. Considering the fact that I manage teams, I felt the need to enhance my managerial skills and thereby chose this course.

My preference would be a PHD or a Doctorate of Business Administration in Health economics, or Biomedical sciences.

My next career step is to work as an Assistant Lecturer or a Learning Facilitator and subsequently become a University Lecturer.

A Masters degree is the absolute prerequisite for an Assistant Lecturer role. It has grounded me in the rudiments of analytical thinking, presentation, research, and addressing audiences of varied backgrounds.

Establishing a robust transport network for sample collection and analysis in 18 districts of southwestern Uganda was a huge task to undertake. There were relatively few models to use for benchmarking at the time that were applicable in rural and resource-limited settings. However, quality assurance systems have been established for the network inputs, maintaining and monitoring routine and periodic processes, and conducting evaluations of the network.

The key personal attributes are threefold: Focusing on the purpose or goal, resilience, and perseverance.

I stepped out of my comfort zone when I was invited to contribute to a panel discussion on the theme “Maximizing Investments: AI, Machine Learning, and Big Data for Superior Returns." Yet, I had presented several times to professionals in the healthcare field, whereas this was my first time addressing a university master's-level audience at UniAthena alongside other experts.

My recommendation is to read Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People." Considering people as a valuable resource, one needs to understand how to harness their synergies and leverage empathy and positive reinforcement to promote open communication and relationship building in personal life and work environments.

My dream job is to be a lecturer. My current job offers ample opportunities for programme development and capacity building, primarily for health workers. However, I would like to switch my focus to academia and research. I believe the world of academia keeps you on the cutting edge with relevant knowledge and skills.

Success is never the result of sheer luck or accident. It involves investing time and resources in areas you are passionate about. Sometimes you may need to start small, but always keep an eye on the big picture from the start. Be deliberate about planning and preparing today to avoid a professional crisis tomorrow.