Nikhil Nandha

Don’t challenge Nikhil Nandha to a game of table tennis. You’ll lose. He’s a nationally ranked competitor from the southern part of India. And now he’s applying the discipline and winning attitude of his sport to his business career. His first move is earning an MS in Management at Questrom.

In addition to table tennis, Nikhil is passionate about the automotive sector. He holds an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering and management from RV College of Engineering in Bangalore, and comes from a family with an automobile components manufacturing business. But before stepping into a transformative leadership role in the family operation, he wants more management training and experience.

“My long-term plan is to go back to India and scale my family’s business, but my short-term goal is to get as much as experience as I can in the field of manufacturing,” he says. “One major reason I chose the Questrom MSMS is because of the practical real-world experience it provides. We get to work with three real clients and solve the problems those companies are facing.”

Nikhil has traveled the world for his sport—he even competed in the All-American National Collegiate table tennis championships in Texas—so he appreciates the diversity of students and perspectives at Questrom. The atrium of the school, where are all the flags of the world are displayed, is one of his favorite spots because it reflects the inclusivity of the community.

“In just nine months here, you’ll gain a lot of exposure and global experience with a diverse group of people,” he says. “The program is designed to build teams in a real setting, where you learn how to deal with conflicts and how to build networks, connections, and relationships.”

“I’m so happy I got into the program,” Nikhil adds. “Now, I have 70 new and real relationships with people from all over the world I will cherish forever.”