As one of Mauritius' national table tennis players, I have always strived to balance my passion for sports with my academic ambitions. While attending an education fair organised by the Malaysia Education Centre, I came across Sunway University and was immediately drawn to their sports scholarship and decided to apply for it.
Apart from my interest in table tennis, I’ve always been fascinated by how much the world revolves around economies. It struck me that there will always be a need for finance professionals and that this field offers extensive global career prospects. With that in mind, I decided to deepen my A-Level foundation and skills in Accounting by enrolling in the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Accounting and Finance under Sunway Business School.
Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. As an international student, I immediately noticed the professionalism of the programme structure and the industry-focused approach to education, a standard that stood out from other institutions.
One subject that left a strong impression on me was Principles of Auditing. In this course, my team and I selected a company and developed an assignment as if we were conducting a real-life audit. This required in depth research and analysis to present our findings, offering hands on experience that helped me develop practical skills I still rely on today.
Graduating from Sunway University with a dual degree from Lancaster University gave me a competitive edge and opened the door to my current role at PwC Mauritius through the Big 4 recruitment process.
The journey wasn’t without its challenges. I recall a particularly tough audit involving investment holding companies with complex structures and tight deadlines. We had to navigate currency adjustments, inconsistent documentation, and valuation issues. Overcoming these required strong teamwork, thorough risk assessment, clear communication, and close coordination with our global team. The Accounting and Finance profession certainly demands high levels of discipline both in study and in work. But if you embrace the challenge, it can lead to extraordinary opportunities. Hard work truly does pay off.
At the same time, I reached a point in my life where I had to make a thoughtful decision about how to balance my professional, sporting and personal commitments. While I choose to prioritise my career and personal life, I haven’t stepped away from my sporting passion entirely. I still make time to play table tennis and continue to represent PwC in inter-firm tournaments, as well as participate in national-level competitions organised by the Mauritius Table Tennis Association.
Looking back at my time as an international student at Sunway, I’m deeply grateful for the lessons and friendships that shaped me. From late night discussions over a cup of teh tarik at Rock Café to collaborative group assignments. I learned the importance of embracing diversity, trusting my teammates and welcoming open feedback. These lessons have greatly influenced my leadership style and decision making at PwC.
To me, leadership is not just about giving direction, it’s about listening, empowering others and creating space where everyone feels valued. These principles guide me in my daily interactions with my colleagues and clients, allowing me to contribute positively to both team performance and client satisfaction.
I sincerely thank all those who accompanied me, from the staff to my close friends, without whom my Sunway journey would not be the same.
Sheik Muhammad Nilshaad Naeem Nowbuth
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Accounting and Finance
2021
