Jamitha Pathirana (founder CEO at B.dynamic Group, Australia) graduates from the OPM program at Harvard Business School, an achievement that means more to him than any other qualification on his CV.
Source : Jam Pathirana Linked in
I was an average student in primary school, and I failed my high school exams miserably. My marks weren’t high enough for university entry, nor did I have much interest in traditional education. Luckily, my uncle paid my first-year fees for overseas studies. Honestly, studying didn’t excite me, but the chance to go abroad and explore did. My visa for England was rejected, so I applied to Australia and got accepted.
I enrolled in a business college in Australia, and as luck would have it, the college was bought by a university, giving my course university accreditation. I stayed in school not out of a love for learning but because it allowed me to remain in Australia. By the time I completed my MBA in 2004, I was ready to start my own business. My parents were disappointed, and my uncle, who had initially supported me, threatened to cut ties. Despite the challenges, I pressed forward. I had no business background and no mentor, but I learnt as I went, driven by a hunger to understand and grow.
My passion for learning was sparked through business. I read countless books, sought advice, and learnt from the experiences of others. I soon realised the value of continuous learning. Last week, I graduated from the OPM program at Harvard Business School, an achievement that means more to me than any other qualification on my CV. This time, I studied with a purpose: to develop myself. It’s been the most transformative experience of my life. Over the past two years, I’ve learnt from the best of the best, alongside 170 cohorts who are shaping the world. It’s been an eye-opening journey, and I’m grateful and humbled by it.
Today, as I join Harvard’s exclusive alumni network of over 91,000 global business leaders, I’m motivated not just by what I’ve achieved but by the impact I hope to make. I want to use what I’ve learnt to help others and create a real difference.
