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With close to 20 years of international experience in logistics, maritime operations, and business management across Far-East Asia, Africa, the UAE and Europe, Altamash Mulla came to New Zealand to further his career in a new country. He chose to study at NMIT, and in 2023 completed a Master of Applied Management, majoring in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Now living in Auckland and working in Trade Management at Ocean Network Express, Altamash looks back on his time in Nelson as a pivotal step in advancing his career.
Despite his extensive professional background, returning to formal education at the age of 40 felt like a bold move.
“After so many years in the industry, I felt like I was starting from scratch again,” Altamash says. “But the programme at NMIT helped me get back into an academic mindset and gave me insight into how the industry works in New Zealand.”
Recognising the growing importance of digital capability in supply chain management, Altamash focused his capstone research project on digital transformation in the workplace. Port Nelson – Australasia’s largest seafood processing port – became a key industry partner in the project.
“Port Nelson was incredibly supportive and provided valuable insights,” he says. “It gave the research real substance, and working closely with them helped me understand the local industry landscape in a meaningful way.”
That connection didn’t end at graduation.
“Even now, I stay connected with people at Port Nelson – both professionally and personally,” he adds.
Altamash found that studying in a regional city like Nelson was no barrier to industry engagement or future employment.
“There’s a perception that if you’re not in a major centre, you’ll miss out – but that’s not true,” he says. “The opportunities are absolutely there.”
He says the depth and relevance of NMIT’s programme exceeded his expectations, even after 20 years of experience in some of the world’s busiest logistics hubs.
“The Master’s programme really helped me take my technical and managerial skills to the next level,” he says. “Courses like Managing in a Digital World added so much to my understanding and helped me to develop new knowledge and a skillset for managing digital transformation in the workplace.”
And when it came time to step back into the workforce, he felt well prepared.
“When I moved to Auckland, I never felt like I was at a disadvantage,” he says. “New Zealand’s industries are well connected across regions, and employers seek graduates nationwide, based on having the skills for the role .”
He also credits NMIT’s teaching staff for helping him understand the unique dynamics of the New Zealand business environment.
“The tutors didn’t just teach theory – they explained how the industry works here, and that really set me up for success in my current role.”
Find out about studying a Master of Applied Management
