From lectures to learning: How architect Alisha Shaw was drawn to pursue an online MBA  

“The process of learning is never ending” believes Professor Alisha Shaw, whose journey is a testament to curiosity, resilience and her innate passion for professional and personal development. As a seasoned professor and a visionary architect, she has carved her name in academia and design. Yet, her journey is far from complete.   

Let us introduce you to Professor Alisha Shaw, who is a lecturer by profession and an architect by passion. Speaking of her childhood days, she recalls, “My father was a government professional. He was posted in various states across the country because of which I have travelled a lot during my school days. It was quite a disciplined atmosphere in my home. Since I was a child, my father accustomed me to waking up at 5 in the morning. That’s one of the reasons I lead a disciplined life today.”  

The steppingstone to her architectural journey  

Alisha’s family mostly resided near forest areas, and there was a lot of construction work going on at that time. That’s when she was drawn towards buildings and architecture. “I used to sit with masons and carpenters and watch them work. That was the first link that led to my career in architecture,” she says.   

Speaking about her passion for architecture, she says, “Firstly, architecture is not only about art. It’s a combination of an artist, an artist’s mind and engineering technology. My father is a mechanical engineer and he used to tell me a lot about what architects do. During my 11^th & 12^th grade I started preparing for NATA (National Aptitude Test of Architecture). Architecture is about sketching, imagination, and vision. I always had an imaginative mind and was passionate about futuristic architecture. The designing and mathematical calculation for futuristic architecture is very difficult. This drew me into choosing architecture as my career.”  

While architecture is her true passion, she wanted to spread her knowledge further. Since Alisha was quite studious, she decided to try her luck in teaching. But there were multiple reasons why she chose teaching.   

Spreading her wings to the field of academics  

“When I was in a boarding school in for girls Birla Balika Vidhyapeeth Pilani, Rajasthan, we had some of the best teachers, some of them who have won prestigious awards like the Padma Bhushan. They were so dedicated to us. This drew me towards teaching. Moreover, my juniors and classmates used to come to me to take lessons. When I was doing my under graduation in architecture from Amity University Lucknow and master’s in architecture urban design from Rizvi College of Architecture Mumbai University, I used to make advanced sheetwork of complex subjects and my teachers used to circulate it to my seniors as well. I knew I had the skills, and I wanted to be in constant touch with books, which I love the most. So, I decided to become a professor,” Alisha says.   

Alisha says that it was important as an architect to keep practicing. She did not let her teaching life hinder her passion to start something of her own. Her zeal to reach heights in the field of architecture led her to start her own business- Alisha Urban Studio.   

Turning her passion to business  

“I started my own business in 2021 in the name of Alish Urban Studio. Since I’m put up in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, there’s a lot of construction work going on for residential projects. I find my clients through these residential projects,” she says.   

Alisha Shaw’s unwavering commitment to evolve, grow, and expand her horizons led her to pursue an online MBA degree. She wanted to grasp the intricacies of business management, enhance her skills, and build a professional network that would further elevate her career.   

Balancing work & academic through Online Manipal  

“Since online classes are conducted on weekends, I’m able to balance my work and academics. But when it comes to my business, I sometimes have to make site visits. That’s why I chose to pursue an online degree. Being a working professional, Manipal University Jaipur has helped me strike the right balance between my work, business and academics,” she says.  

The online MBA program offered by Manipal University Jaipur has helped her in many ways. “As an architect, I deal with multiple clients. I need to ensure that my business is branded and advertised properly. This online MBA degree will help me improve my brand awareness, which will eventually increase sales. Secondly, I have plans of joining an MNC in future. I believe this degree can add great value to my CV.”   

“Firstly, the faculty at Manipal University Jaipur are excellent and have guided me well through the program. The help desk ensures we have a hassle-free online learning experience. Another important part of my learning experience has been Epic.U. This online networking app has boosted learner interaction and engagement. With Online Manipal, I’m not only a proud management student, but this experience has contributed to my overall personality development,” she says.  

Building her industry connections  

As an online learner, Alisha Shaw actively keeps in touch with her peers on LinkedIn. She also interacts with them during discussion forums and webinars. With Online Manipal, she has gotten the opportunity to connect with national and international professionals.   

As an academician, Alisha Shaw is working on multiple research papers. She published her first paper “Online Architectural Education in the 21^st century” in Reva University at an International Conference, where she represented as an online learner at Manipal University Jaipur. She is also preparing to present many such papers in the future.   

While Alisha Shaw is managing her business, her teaching profession, she feels that online degrees have greatly benefited women. “In India, we have 5G as the latest technology and almost every Indian household has an internet connection. Talking about women, we are mostly required to multitask. You need to take care of the family, husband, and basic requirements of your home. Sometimes, you may have to work to maintain economic balance. With online education, women can manage time wisely.”