Digital programs hold entrepreneurial appeal

Programs at the University of Waterloo Stratford Campus have a magical pull for budding entrepreneurs looking to create the businesses of the future.

Mohammed Khanani, a first-year Global Business and Digital Arts (GBDA) student, comes from a family of entrepreneurs in Pakistan. When searching for a program, he wanted a broad range of theoretical learning along with practical experience to prepare him for the demands of business.

“The GBDA program is geared to extensive project work,” says Khanani. “Learning through doing while working within project teams, this is a much better way to learn than straight exams.

“Applying the information will help it stay with me.”

While in high school, Khanani launched www.studyguide.pk, an online note-sharing website.

The site allows students to post and share class notes, building a large and current database of information. Learning about copyright issues, figuring out how to monetize the site and how to market were just a few of the business challenges.

“You learn as you go in business — from your mistakes and your successes. The GBDA program is geared to teach in that practical way, which will be very valuable.”

For fellow GBDA student and budding movie studio executive Vib Soundrarajah, this program felt like his destiny. At the early age of 18, Soundrarajah had already learned the trials and tribulations of the film industry through Atrium Pictures, a company created by a group of friends with a keen interest in cinematography.

After an aggressive attempt at feature filmmaking, the group realized they had much to learn about the business world, so they headed back to school. The friends chose different programs from film school to special effects. Soundrarajah is focused on the business side.

“The GBDA program was a perfect fit for what I needed — business foundation, global business and the creative component of digital arts,” he says. “I am learning all the theoretical business skills we were lacking to ensure success. Interestingly, in my courses I am learning about things I have lived through so I can visualize the examples and the ideas discussed.”

The first year of the Master of Digital Experience Innovation program has already helped alumna Janice Zolf launch her own production company. A journalist from CTV London looking to expand her professional experience in digital media, Janice was drawn to the program because of its solutions-based curriculum.

“It is so much more than just learning the theory of the programs,” explains Zolf. “The critical component is learning through teamwork: the ability to draw on the experience and expertise of a group of individuals to create something more than what you originally thought was possible.”