Naveen Fatima

Alumna Naveen Fatima (MSc Human Resources Management and Services, 2018) studied as a mature student whilst at Exeter and is a qualified HR specialist who currently works as a Regional Human Resources Manager for Oxygen Distribution DMCC in Dubai.

Naveen says: “Throughout my more than 10 year career in HR, I have retained the highest performance expectations with exposure to numerous aspects of HR including retention, employee relations, deployment of HR programs, employee involvement, and operational HR, with the power to incorporate the HR role into the overall company plan. I have become fascinated with the notion that enhancing people engagement is the only way to accomplish organisational goals and love bringing people together to achieve their best.

“My biggest success in my career was definitely embracing the task of completing my postgraduate degree from the University of Exeter’s excellent Business School as a mature student, while at the same time keeping pace with my career. I am also an HR Practitioner, who loves to encourage and support people to develop their skills through mentoring and I began holding mock interviews at the universities of Exeter and Liverpool and taking part in career mentoring which I’ve enjoyed immensely.”

This element of being able to give back and support others, including students and young women, is important to Naveen as she feels that her university experience helped her grow into the woman she is today. 

She says: “I was a little timid in my profession before I went to University, but my time at Exeter helped me break out of my shell. I have joined the different communities available to me and have gained confidence in sharing my views.

“Since then, I've delivered outstanding team presentations as now I feel relaxed talking and communicating in front of large audiences. I also more confident engaging in LinkedIn with senior peers and influencers. The University of Exeter offered a new viewpoint and background for my studies and gave me the ability to put theory into my own practice and experience which I’m very grateful for.”

Naveen hopes in the future to hold a senior position and feels it is important that women can see other females holding senior roles.

She says: “The position of women is growing not only because of diversity, but also because of their capacity produce excellent results. I firmly believe that women holding senior roles has value as it encourages diversity in the workplace, it provides the opportunity to improve working relationships, to inspire women around the world, and is a major step in empowering young women to follow their careers.”

In terms of her plans for the future. Naveen would like to set up a HR consultancy company in Dubai and commit to a long-term target of gradually moving to top management. She’s also hoping to do further volunteer work for the University and the University of Exeter alumni, Middle East and North Africa (MENA)network, as well as keeping in touch with the academic sector to support new students.

Which woman or women inspires you/is your role model/s?

 “It's my mother for me. She encourages and motivates me to grow up without any obstacles. It seems to me that this lady sees life as a struggle and wishes to seize the day with all her heart. As single mother, she took charge of our financial and non-financial needs. She was with me from a very young age like a shadow. It has been fraught with obstacles and challenges, but she's managed to cross them all because of the amazing and influential person she is.

“Whenever I look at my mother, I see a regular lady, but once I believe what she does and hence the way she does it, she becomes spiritual and the cause behind my smile! She sets an inspiring precedent of being determined and working on goals. Taught me thanks for living life and making wise decisions, even in the most unpredictable circumstances.”