“My journey started long before I ever set foot on the Belmont campus,” reflects Mehedi Munsur Khan. A lifelong scholar with an eye for global connections, Mehedi earned his MBA from Notre Dame de Namur University in the early 2000s, completing dual concentrations in Marketing and Finance.
Born in Bangladesh, he has had a colourful academic journey across Thailand, Australia, the US, and the UK, earning advanced degrees. Currently a professor of an applied social science discipline at a prestigious Russel Group of universities in London, he has experience in investment banking, tier-1 management consulting, and civil service in the British diplomatic community.
He has a track record on bridging the digital divide in satellite communications, telecommunications and higher education, aiming to empower 2.7 billion people across 56 Commonwealth nations through better access to technology and education for sustainable economic growth. Mehedi recently joined us via Zoom to reminisce about his time at NDNU and to share heartfelt reflections on the university that helped shape his professional trajectory.
How did you come to choose NDNU, especially since you were living and working in San Francisco at the time?
The University had a great reputation for its faculty and curriculum. But what really drew me in was that most — if not all — of my professors were seasoned Silicon Valley leaders. Learning directly from people at the forefront of innovation, especially the financial structure of business, was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
I also appreciated the University’s strong emphasis on values and ethics, which are both very important to me. In addition, its focus on discipline and staying well organized in one’s studies helped me enormously. That being said, the most important things I learned while at NDNU were critical thinking and skills for reflection.
What was your experience of campus life?
I cherished my time there, which was made even more special because I attended during one of Silicon Valley’s boom years. Each weekday, I would drive down from San Francisco downtown through the highway 101 South to Belmont campus in the Silicon Valley. I spent countless hours in the library — this was low-fidelity, after all — immersed in materials and learning from remarkable instructors who opened my eyes to an entirely new understanding of the corporate worlds in the Silicon Valley and the San Francisco financial district. Professors James Kelly and Dr David Hua were special standouts.
One of the special memories I have is working tirelessly with classmates on an MBA presentation for one of our classes. We decided to put the finishing touches on the presentation by going suit-shopping so that we would project an aura of confidence and professionalism. Our professor was very impressed and gave us high marks for content, delivery and presentation. That taught me a lot; being here in United Kingdom, perception really matters in business and politics.
What else would you like us to know?
NDNU truly is a gem. Everything I’ve accomplished in my professional life is rooted in the solid skills and meaningful collegial relationships I built there. Many of my classmates have gone on to do remarkable things around the world. When I earned my MBA, two U.S. senators – Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain and Senator Barbara Boxer – posted personal letters of congratulation.
I’m also genuinely impressed that Speaker Emerita of the House Nancy Pelosi will serve as this year’s commencement keynote speaker—what an extraordinary moment for the University. Being an NDNU alum is a testament to the institution’s enduring values, and we should all walk a little taller knowing we come from such a distinguished academic community.