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> SFU management of technology grad joins international pharmaceutical company
SFU management of technology grad joins international pharmaceutical company
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June 4, 2002
Darius Panaligan won’t be crossing the convocation dais with the rest of his Management of Technology (MOT) MBA class this June. Instead, he’ll be settling into his new job as manager of strategic projects, strategic planning and development at Novartis Pharma AG’s head office in Basel, Switzerland. "It’s quite an exciting position in an 80,000 employee organization with an annual turnover of US $20 billion," says Panaligan. "This puts SFU beside my new colleagues who are MBAs from Harvard, Rotterdam, London Business School and Wharton.
The plum job entails working with a team of 10 who manage the firm’s future global direction. "Most of the responsibilities will involve mergers and acquisitions projects, product portfolio recommendations, investments and organizational structure," says Panaligan.
The 31-year old brings some unique experience and skills to his new position. He holds a bachelor of science degree with a major in genetics and worked in research and development as well as business development for Vancouver biotech firm Angiotech before deciding to pursue the MOT MBA. As well, he recently spent a semester at Manchester Business School in England, where his classes included 54 students from 30 different countries. "It was a very good experience," says Panaligan. "Manchester’s program concentrates more on financial engineering and strategy; the MOT MBA at SFU focuses on technology strategy."
Panaligan says his international background also helped to land the job. Filipino by birth, he has lived in Asia, North America and studied in Europe. "I think it all adds a little bit," he says. "And with the concentration of my MBA in innovation and technology, they offered me two positions – one in global strategy and the other in knowledge management strategies. I thought global strategy would be more challenging."
His first challenge, however, will be communication. "I speak Filipino, a bit of Spanish and basic French but they’re putting me in a German school as soon as I get there."
—30—
(digital photo available)
CONTACT
Marianne Meadahl/Julie Ovenell-Carter, Media & PR, 604.291.4323
The plum job entails working with a team of 10 who manage the firm’s future global direction. "Most of the responsibilities will involve mergers and acquisitions projects, product portfolio recommendations, investments and organizational structure," says Panaligan.
The 31-year old brings some unique experience and skills to his new position. He holds a bachelor of science degree with a major in genetics and worked in research and development as well as business development for Vancouver biotech firm Angiotech before deciding to pursue the MOT MBA. As well, he recently spent a semester at Manchester Business School in England, where his classes included 54 students from 30 different countries. "It was a very good experience," says Panaligan. "Manchester’s program concentrates more on financial engineering and strategy; the MOT MBA at SFU focuses on technology strategy."
Panaligan says his international background also helped to land the job. Filipino by birth, he has lived in Asia, North America and studied in Europe. "I think it all adds a little bit," he says. "And with the concentration of my MBA in innovation and technology, they offered me two positions – one in global strategy and the other in knowledge management strategies. I thought global strategy would be more challenging."
His first challenge, however, will be communication. "I speak Filipino, a bit of Spanish and basic French but they’re putting me in a German school as soon as I get there."
—30—
(digital photo available)
CONTACT
Marianne Meadahl/Julie Ovenell-Carter, Media & PR, 604.291.4323