Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
7 mins ago
Lawrence Dcruz is graduating with a Masters in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from EIT Auckland this week.
Working in Dubai as a manager for many years led Lawrence Dcruz to realise that he needed to study further in order to be in line for top jobs.
Fifty-six-year-old Lawrence, who is originally from Chennai in India, graduated with a Masters in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from EIT Auckland on Tuesday 28th May at the Aotea Centre in Auckland. He completed the programme last year.
It has been a long journey for Lawrence, who spent more than 20 years working in shipping and logistics in Dubai. While he enjoyed the life there, he realised that he needed more.
“I found that in the Middle East, they would give great importance to people who have studied a masters or had a management degree to climb into upper management levels.”
“Even though I had a lot of years of experience behind me, I would find someone who had a masters or an MBA would supersede me on selection for top management.”
He realised that he needed to upskill himself and to use his logistic and shipping experience with a relevant degree.
“I started this great search, looking for a management course. And even though I chose a management course with one paper specialisation in logistics, it was not good enough for me, I wanted a professional course.”
“And that’s when I stumbled upon EIT. The papers there were exceptional. And when I started the programme, I soon realised that I was familiar with what I was studying.”
Lawrence said that while he needed to work hard, he found the guidance from the lecturers comforting.
“The way the programme was structed was phenomenal and I enjoyed the way the lecturers helped us with assignments.
“A lot of research went into the programme. I was apprehensive when I started, but everything soon fell into place.”
Lawrence, who had to pay a quick visit to his ill mother in India, returned in time for the graduation this week. His wife, Celine, watched with pride as he crossed the stage.
Having received a work visa, Lawrence is looking for a job as he really enjoys living in New Zealand.
“It’s a very beautiful country. I say it’s like paradise compared to the concrete jungles of the Middle East.. It is a lifestyle that allows you to stop and smell the roses.”
Cherie Freeman, EIT Auckland Campus Director congratulated Lawrence on graduating.
“I wish Lawrence well for the future. His lecturers enjoyed having him in class as he was able to share his global industry experience with his fellow students.”
