New MBA graduate Miarizaka Fabien Randriamananjara has been shortlisted for the AMBA Student of the Year Award at this year’s AMBA & BGA Excellence Awards.
The AMBA Student of the Year award recognises students who have shown exceptional career potential and who AMBA believes can act as ambassadors for the high quality of accredited MBAs and the opportunities these programmes provide for students.
Fabien was nominated by the Kent Business School as an exceptional MBA student whose academic excellence, leadership, and social impact extended far beyond the classroom. During his time at KBS, Fabien consistently supported peers, championed inclusive learning, and enriched the MBA community with global insights and professional integrity.
From non-profit to MBA: Fabien’s journey to Kent
‘I graduated as an Agricultural and Environmental Engineer from the University of Antananarivo in 2015. After graduation, I co-founded a non-profit association that has supported farming communities living near the forest corridor of Anjozorobe-Angavo in central Madagascar since 2016.
In 2020, we secured $15,000 in funding from the UNDP GEF–SGP programme to promote conservation agriculture and entrepreneurship among these communities. I led the project until 2023, during which time we organized technical training, distributed inputs, and rehabilitated a 4-kilometer rural road that connected villages to major markets. As a result, about 200 families benefited, and today they hold exclusive contracts with Chanel (for turmeric production), Fanamby (for ginger production), and local cosmetic companies (for essential oils). This initiative significantly improved community livelihoods.’
‘This experience led to my selection for the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, awarded by the U.S. Department of State. In 2023, I trained in Leadership in Business, with a focus on agriculture and engineering, at Purdue University in Indiana. Upon returning home, I became a Short-Term Consultant (STC) for the World Bank Group, supporting agricultural and nutrition-related government projects across Madagascar.’
The MBA experience at Kent
‘I chose Kent because its Business School is triple-crown accredited, a recognition of its global standards in business education. In addition, Canterbury’s proximity to London offers valuable opportunities for professional networking and exposure beyond the UK.
Beyond academics, the supportive and inclusive learning environment at KBS, combined with the challenges of diverse assessments, enabled me to develop greater self-confidence. I also grew personally, becoming more resilient and adaptable.’
‘Initially, I was concerned about studying in English—my third language—since it differs structurally and culturally from Malagasy, my native language, and French, the language of most of my early education. However, I eventually realised that I could perform just as well as native speakers.’
‘During my time at KBS, I was particularly influenced by the Business Analytics module. In other modules, convenors often spoke about their academic research and publications, but in Business Analytics, the convenors emphasised how mathematical models and analytical tools could be applied to address real problems affecting vulnerable populations in developing countries. This is why I was especially fascinated by how operational research can help solve flooding issues in Southeast Asian capitals or address refugee crises in the Horn of Africa. I immediately saw parallels and potential applications to the challenges facing my own region.’
Developing a sustainable future: Fabien’s values for the next chapter
‘I am committed to using my “Mastermind” strengths not as a title but as a responsibility—to think critically, act ethically, and influence decisions that improve the lives of vulnerable populations worldwide, particularly within the agricultural sector.
This vision aligns with my values of service, innovation, and global equity—principles that my MBA experience has helped me articulate and strengthen. These aspirations are reflected in my final dissertation, where I provide strategic recommendations for stakeholders in the cocoa sector. Cocoa is a high-value commodity on which many smallholder farmers in developing countries depend for their livelihoods.
My research explores supply chain practices and identifies opportunities to integrate operational frameworks from both local and global best practices, with the goal of enhancing the value captured by smallholder cocoa farmers in Madagascar. I plan to continue along this path by focusing my future research on topics that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).’