Jamal Jafri’s relationship with Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow wasn’t exactly love at first sight. A brilliant student right through school and college, prior to opting for an MBA, Jamal had acquired work experience with Spencer Retail in Lucknow. She managed to crack quite a few top-notch B-schools, but her family was insistent that she pursue her MBA with an institute in Lucknow, where they were settled. 

“Frankly speaking, I wanted to move out of Lucknow, so when I joined Jaipuria Lucknow, it was with a feeling of compulsion. With time, and increased interaction with the faculty and my colleagues, I realised I had hit the jackpot! I slowly realised that the methodology of teaching in Jaipuria Lucknow and the amount of freedom it gives its students was something very few B-schools in India could match. This opened the flood-gates of thought – and opportunities – for most of us.” 

Jamal was placed with Red FM, Lucknow after passing out of Jaipuria Lucknow, but soon made a shift to Cipla as an Assistant Manager. Jamal’s ability to work hard and work smart was noticed straightaway by the management at Cipla in Lucknow, resulting in larger responsibilities. Today as a Manager, Jamal handles 65 business managers for Cipla in the Central and Eastern UP zone. “

I had always aspired to be a part of an MNC. The best thing about Jaipuria Lucknow is that it prepares you to be a good manager as well as a good human being. Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow gave me the two most beautiful years of my life. The days at Jaipuria Lucknow were amazingly full. On one day, I would be sitting with friends, working on projects, presentations and quizzes, while on other days we would be preparing collectively for the exams. More than anything else, it was the ability to handle the pressure, which comes with the constant buzz of activities there, which paved the path for my career growth. I especially remember the classes of Professor Shubhendra Parihar and Mr. Maneesh Yadav for their practicality. What they taught us is something I relate to my workplace even today.” 

Jamal Jafri today feels that sometimes God has a greater plan for us than we ourselves have been able to chalk out. She believes that her coming to Jaipuria Lucknow and her subsequent growth only goes to prove this.