Powerful Bonds and Lifelong Friendships

Since his graduation in 2017, Radu has gone on to become one of the youngest MPs in the history of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova.

How does it feel to be selected for the Alumni 100 list?

"There are thousands of exceptional University of Edinburgh Business School alumni around the world and all of them faced intense competition in the admission process. So I am privileged and humbled to be included in this list! I'll take it as a sign of my responsibility to deliver positive changes in society."

What made you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh Business School?

"I chose the Business School because of its global outlook and focus on sustainable business practices. Also, the historic status and the excellent global ranking of the University of Edinburgh made it an easy decision for me to come to Edinburgh. And the city itself is stunning, with its beautiful architecture and wonderful nature—it is by far my favourite place in the world."

What are your memories of studying at the Business School?

"There are so many things I could say about my experience in Edinburgh: the opportunity I received from the UK government to pursue my Master's studies, the chance to study at one of the world's best universities, the revelations about my new abilities and skills, the learning from professors, and the remarkable city of Edinburgh that I was lucky enough to live in. But one thing that tops everything else is the people that I met. Particularly my classmates—this cohort of amazing folks from all over the world, which despite our ever-different backgrounds and personalities, managed to create such powerful bonds, relationships, and lifelong friendships. I'll always cherish the joy, the stress, the parties, the assiduous work, the travelling, the honest conversations, and the dreams we shared together!"

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

"Our group projects were such a powerful lesson. We were working in very diverse teams, with classmates from all around the world, with different personalities, communication styles, and approaches to work. It is crucial for all members of the team, especially the leader, to understand these differences, especially in terms of communication style. The most successful teams are the ones where members are not only competitive and talented, but equally important, they are emotionally safe."

Proudest work-related achievement to date?

"I became a Member of Parliament last year at the age of 28 and apparently, I'm one of the youngest MPs in Moldova's history. It is an enormous responsibility on our shoulders—our votes and bills in Parliament can make the difference between progress and stagnation. A responsibility that we are proud to bear. Despite my lack of political experience, I do my best to be very active, with 7 bills already published, 3 of which were approved. My activity focuses on supporting small businesses, reducing bureaucracy and red tape, and improving transparency of government institutions."

What's the one thing you think current students need to develop or learn before entering the modern workplace?

"Work on your abilities to operate in a team. Students are used too much to individual assignments, but the business world is so much more complex—you can't accomplish much alone. Don't miss any chance to get involved in group projects—this will help tremendously. Try to communicate differently with team members depending on their culture and social background—empathy is key."