Siti Dwi Oktariana Ningrum MSc

The course

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

I chose the University of Edinburgh Business School because of its strong reputation as one of the UK’s leading business schools and its focus on combining academic excellence with real-world relevance. I was drawn to the School’s international outlook and the opportunity to learn alongside people from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.

I was also attracted by the School’s strong links with industry and its reputation for producing research that addresses current global business and financial challenges. The supportive academic environment, together with the vibrant city of Edinburgh, made it feel like the right place to grow both professionally and personally.

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

I was interested in the unique interdisciplinary approach of the MSc in Finance, Technology and Policy. It combines finance, data analytics, and emerging technologies with an understanding of regulatory and policy frameworks, an uncommon mix that aligns with the direction the financial industry is taking. I was looking for a programme that not only strengthened my technical and analytical skills but also helped me understand how policy and innovation intersect to shape financial systems.

The programme gave me the opportunity to learn from academics with deep research expertise and industry practitioners who provided insights into the evolving financial landscape. The use of case studies, hands-on projects, and exposure to current issues in fintech allowed me to explore how data and technology can be applied to solve complex financial challenges.

Your career

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

Before pursuing my master’s, I built a career at Home Credit Indonesia, progressing from IT Core System Engineer to Senior Underwriting Analyst in risk technology. I worked on automating underwriting processes using the FICO Blaze decision engine, improving credit risk models, and launching data-driven solutions that enhanced product efficiency and customer experience. These roles gave me a strong foundation in analytics and risk, but I wanted to move into a position where I could shape broader business strategy.

After graduating, I joined Amar Bank as Business Analytics Lead, where I now make key decisions about the customer acquisition strategy. I lead cross-functional initiatives, analysing customer, product, and operational data to identify opportunities for growth and risk optimisation. I’ve developed automated dashboards for performance monitoring and refined key metrics that directly influence how we drive sustainable portfolio growth.

I reshape acquisition and risk strategies through data-driven decision making.

How did your degree prepare you for your career?

My degree prepared me not just with technical expertise, but with the mindset to approach complex challenges from multiple angles - finance, technology, and policy. This interdisciplinary way of thinking mirrors the real-world decisions I make today at Amar Bank, where I balance data-driven insights, risk management, and strategic growth in shaping the customer acquisition strategy.

Masters of Change

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

The degree accelerated my transition from technical contributor to a strategic decision-maker and sharpened my ability to connect data analytics with broader business objectives.

The interdisciplinary nature of the programme further strengthened my strategic thinking and ability to communicate complex insights to senior stakeholders, enabling me to drive alignment across teams and shape high-impact initiatives.

On a personal level, the programme reshaped how I approach problem-solving and collaboration. Being surrounded by diverse peers taught me to actively listen, challenge my own assumptions, and articulate my views with greater clarity. This experience has made me more confident, resilient, and adaptable when navigating uncertainty - qualities that have enhanced the way I lead.

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

The change I am most proud of is reshaping how data is used to drive strategic decisions. Rather than simply tracking performance, I developed a data framework that integrates customer behaviour, marketing outcomes, and risk indicators into a single unified view. This enables us to make more accurate decisions on which segments to target, how to optimise acquisition spend, and when to adjust risk thresholds.

It represents a real shift from relying on static, backward-looking measures to making dynamic, forward-looking decisions that directly shape the direction of our digital lending strategy.

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

The Business School experience challenged me to communicate ideas with precision and impact. Presenting complex topics in seminars, contributing to group projects, and receiving constructive feedback from faculty and peers, helped me become more confident in expressing my views, defending my ideas, and adapting to incorporate different viewpoints.

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

The Principles of Data Analytics and Python Programming courses strengthened my technical capabilities, enabling me to work confidently with data, automate reporting, and extract actionable insights.

In addition, the programme taught me how to break down complex problems, question assumptions, and ensure every recommendation is grounded in both data and context. These skills have proved invaluable to developing business cases or explaining the reasoning behind key decisions in my current role.

Course highlights and advice

What are your best memories on the programme?

The student trek to visit fintech companies where industry professionals explained how they apply the latest technology to real-world financial challenges, really brought classroom theory to life, leaving all of us feeling inspired about the future of fintech.

Another highlight was the year-end dinner. Despite having a major deadline the next day, we came together to celebrate and take part in a traditional Scottish ceilidh dance which had everyone smiling, laughing, and connecting outside of an academic context.

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

If I could share one piece of advice, it would be to embrace both the challenges and the moments in between. The programme is demanding, with tight deadlines and complex projects, but those challenges are where you grow the most - both academically and personally.

At the same time, don’t let the pressure of assignments make you forget how much Edinburgh has to offer. Take time to explore the city, its history, and its culture with your friends, because those experiences will stay with you long after the deadlines are forgotten.