Alumni Profile: Maaz Aslam Khan
Strategic Assistant to the CEO, Viessmann
Maaz Aslam Khan works with digital innovation and transformation at Viessmann in Allendorf, Germany.
I encourage all students to study abroad.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Who are you?
My name is Maaz Aslam Khan, born and raised in Pakistan, in the city of Lahore. Currently located in Germany (Allendorf) working for a heating systems manufacturer Viessmann in the Digitalisation sector currently leading projects in the internal digital Transformation of the company.
What subjects did you study? And when?
Time in ÅA: September 2012–December 2014
Degree: MSc Business Administration and Economics (Electronic and Mobile commerce)
Faculty: Information System (IAMSR)
In Finland, I did MSc in Business Administration and Economics, with focus on Electronic and Mobile Commerce. Starting September 2012, till December 2014. The program manager at that moment was Eija Karsten, who helped not only me but also other students in integrating. Before that, I did my Bachelors in Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing and Finance in Pakistan.
What made you choose Finland and Åbo Akademi University when there are so many other great countries and universities in the world?
Back in 2012, Finland was considered to be a hotspot and hub regarding the E-commerce. And one could see the digital businesses booming in that specific area of work, not only e-commerce but a new digital economy and business models were emerging such as Rovio. And of course one of the bigger players – Nokia, which brought Finland on the map of the world not only for me but also for many other students. This linked to the program I got enrolled in served as a great bridge in taking my very conventional Marketing and Finance education and providing a bit more of a technological perspective; which I can say was one of the biggest factors for me in choosing Åbo Akademi.
Where have your studies taken you? What are you working with now and how did you get there?
My education at Åbo Akademi helped me a great deal to explore new and digital topics, giving an advanced perspective to my education before. After studying in Åbo, I was able to quickly move to the professional life and started working for a startup in Turku. And roughly a year later I got the chance to move to Germany and worked for a company in the field of marketing and sales.
However, in search of the digital topics I found a great match for my ambitions and joined my current organisation Viessmann, where I have been strongly involved within the Digital Innovation and Transformation topics. We, as a company which just turned 102 years old, have in the last few years gone through a very tremendous & inspirational transformation, which I am very proud to be a part of.
How do you remember your time at Åbo Akademi? Is there any special memory you would like to share with us?
I have always considered Finland as my second home and I have had great moments. I have made some great friends I am still in touch with. The only time in my life I had access to Sauna in my living building, traveling a lot to Helsinki by Onnibus, the local food and drinks at Christmas time such as Glögi and karjalanpiirakka, long summer days. It is hard to pick one moment out of many great memories I developed during my stay of around 3.5 years.
But particularly, I had a very enjoyable and learning experience during my tenure of studying but most importantly working on a research project at the university together with distinguished professors Pirkko Walden, Christer Carlsson and Anna Sell.
Do you have a message for today’s students, or perhaps for someone planning to study abroad?
Yes indeed. First of all I encourage all students to study abroad, may it be international students coming to Finland or Finnish students looking for an experience abroad. The experience, cultural learnings, self management and exposure that you get in such short period of time is unmatchable.