Lahiru Alahakoon MSc

The course

Why did you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh Business School (UEBS)?

I chose to study at the University of Edinburgh Business School for its global reputation for academic excellence and its triple accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA). I felt the School aligned perfectly with my aspirations and I also wanted to meet students from all over the world.

What was it about the degree programme that particularly attracted you?

I was drawn to the part-time MSc in Data and Decision Analytics at the University of Edinburgh Business School because it offered a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between my engineering background and the rapidly growing field of data analytics.

I also liked that the programme included foundational knowledge and advanced applications.

Your career

Can you tell us about your career before and after graduating?

Before joining OES Consulting as a Graduate Civil Engineer, I worked within the construction sector in Sri Lanka, where I gained experience delivering infrastructure and engineering projects. That experience gave me a strong technical foundation and sparked my interest in how data and technology can improve engineering processes and decision-making.

Since moving into consultancy, I’ve enjoyed working on a wider variety of projects and seeing how analytical thinking can support practical engineering solutions in day-to-day work.

The programme changed the way I approach real-world engineering problems.

How did your degree prepare you for your career?

The programme encouraged me to approach problems from a different perspective. It pushed me to look beyond technical calculations and consider how data can support better planning, communication and decision-making.

It also improved my confidence when working with complex information and presenting ideas clearly to different audiences.

Masters of Change

What notable changes has your degree enabled you to make in your professional or personal life?

The degree changed the way I approach challenges, both professionally and personally. Balancing work and study taught me discipline, organisation and better time management.

Professionally, it introduced me to ways of thinking that I now naturally apply in consultancy work, especially when evaluating different approaches and working through technical challenges.

What are the changes you have been able to make in your chosen field, of which you are most proud?

I’m proud of being able to combine my engineering background with the analytical skills I developed during the programme. It helped me become more confident in approaching projects logically and contributing ideas that go beyond the traditional engineering mindset.

More recently, I’ve become increasingly interested in exploring how machine learning and optimisation techniques could help automate parts of civil engineering workflows, improve efficiency and support better decision-making within consultancy and infrastructure projects.

How did your studies at the Business School help you to make those changes?

The course helped me become more comfortable tackling unfamiliar and complex problems. Modules like Applied Decision Optimisation encouraged me to think more critically and make decisions based on analysis rather than assumptions.

Receiving the Academic Excellence Award for the programme was also a proud moment for me and reflected the amount of growth, discipline and hard work that went into balancing my studies alongside full-time work.

What key things that you learnt at the Business School do you still rely on today?

One of the biggest things I still rely on is the ability to communicate technical ideas in a simple and structured way.

The programme also taught me how to stay adaptable and comfortable working through unfamiliar challenges, which has been especially valuable early in my career.

Course highlights and advice

What are your best memories on the programme?

A few of us on the programme decided to organise to meet up at the Business School at the end of the first year. This was definitely one of the highlights. It was fantastic to connect with fellow students face-to-face after a year of online studying. Sharing experiences and building on these relationships made the trip truly memorable.

What one piece of advice would you give to current students and recent graduates?

If you feel like there’s something out there that you’re supposed to be doing, if you have a passion for it, then stop wishing and just do it.