Kumar Sekar

Glasgow Caledonian University graduate Kumar Sekar went from pursuing a master's degree during an economic recession, to ascending the ranks in Singapore's construction industry. Now, he has returned to Glasgow for a fresh chapter in his career and personal life.

In 2007, Kumar embarked on a life-changing journey, relocating from Dubai to Glasgow to pursue an MSc in Project Management at Glasgow Caledonian. This decision was driven by his desire to blend his project management skills with his architectural expertise.

“The first time I entered the University I was blown away, having access to such amazing facilities was so new to us.” he says.

While studying at GCU, he balanced his academic responsibilities with part-time work to help cover expenses. This fueled his drive and commitment, pushing him to excel in his studies while also improving his ability to manage his time effectively. One thing that he will always cherish from his time at Glasgow Caledonian is the lifelong friendships that he created.

“The people in Glasgow were always so friendly and to this day I still have friends who I met during my studies, some of them even travelled to India for my marriage!”

Graduating in 2009, Kumar was faced with the global recession, meaning that job hunting in the UK was challenging. With only one year of experience in a new field of study, he struggled to secure a position.

“I applied for numerous graduate jobs, but due to the recession it made securing a position particularly challenging. So, with a heavy heart, I made the decision to leave Glasgow in 2011 and move to Singapore.”

Starting from a humble role, he quickly rose through the ranks, taking advantage of his qualifications to secure significant projects and leadership positions. Throughout his career he has progressively advanced through various construction-based roles, starting as an Architectural Coordinator. He then moved up to Resident Architect, followed by positions as an Architectural Technical Officer and Senior Architectural Coordinator. And finally, to his most recent role of Architectural Manager.

"My role as an Architectural Manager involved overseeing design and project teams, ensuring seamless execution and client satisfaction. I kept stakeholders and consultants informed of changes across various projects and ensured they were satisfied with the work that was being produced.”

After 15 years working in Singapore and at the peak of his career, Kumar still had a longing to be back in Glasgow. Around this time, his wife expressed an interest in getting a master's degree, so he suggested she do so at Glasgow Caledonian. So it was that in 2023 Kumar and his family made the decision to relocate back to Glasgow and begin a new chapter of their lives.

With extensive experience and a deep-rooted connection to Glasgow, Kumar is prepared for continued success as he embarks on his new career journey.