We’re delighted to announce the appointment of MBA graduate, Waqas Baggia, as the first ever President of the newly launched WLV Alumni Association.
25 year-old Waqas is the founder and Managing Director of Wolverhampton based digital media company, Kreative Iron. Named as one of the Future 100 Young Social Entrepreneurs for 2009, he made a name for himself on the global stage last year when he was invited to share his experiences of launching a business at the G20 Young Entrepreneur Summit in Canada.
Originally from Toronto, Canada, Waqas moved to Wolverhampton to study a Masters in Business Administration after graduating with a BSc in Kinesiology & Health Science and a Diploma in Marketing from York University in Canada.
While at Wolverhampton Waqas successfully applied for the University’s Student Placements for Entrepreneurs in Education West Midlands (SPEED WM) programme, which enables students to establish their own business alongside their studies. Along with fellow graduate, Zeeshan Chaundry, Waqas used the programme to set up Kreative Iron. A fledgling company to begin with, the SPEED WM programme gave Waqas the tools and resources he needed to develop the company, and today, only one year after graduating, Waqas is now at the helm of rapidly growing enterprise that already boasts international clients.
An advocate for global entrepreneurship, Waqas also undertook a voluntary internship in the University’s Institute for Innovation and Enterprise (IIE) where he founded the Student Enterprise Network (SEN), which promoted innovation and entrepreneurship in students.
He said: “Being a serial entrepreneur, I understand the challenges a young entrepreneur faces and am passionate about developing a more supportive environment.”
Waqas is also an Advisor to the National Consortium of University Entrepreneurs, a member of the FlyingStart Program by the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship and has judged the regional finals for Young Enterprise.
In 2009 Waqas was named one The Future 100 Young Social Entrepreneurs. The Future 100 Awards highlight young people aged 18-35 who are demonstrating entrepreneurial flair and innovation in running a responsible business venture; one which demonstrates a balance between economic, environmental and social goals to achieve ultimate business success.
Waqas said: “It has been an honour to be among the Future 100 Young Entrepreneurs and to be at the forefront of entrepreneurship promotion and to contribute to global entrepreneurship strategy. Young entrepreneurs are key to economic development as they contribute fresh perspectives and develop innovative solutions to their respected industries.”
The search for a President of the WLV Alumni Association began in December and the appointment was agreed in March. Waqas will formally begin his duties as President in May.
The WLV Alumni Association was officially launched in November 2010 and is the first alumni association at the University to bring all Wolverhampton graduates together into one community. For more information visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/alumni
