Akhmet Ishmukhamedov

Founder & CEO, Sauwat.Education and Founder & Executive Director, Sauwat Strategy

MBA, Class of 2018

As a young child growing up in Kazakhstan, Akhmet Ishmukhamedov was a boy who questioned the ‘why’ behind everything. His inquisitive nature led him to complete two Bachelor’s degrees and a Master’s degree in various fields across finance, political science, and law. 

After working for a few years in the government and private sectors, Akhmet started a consulting business as he felt that it was the best way to combine his diverse skills, knowledge and contacts to improve the lives of the disadvantaged around the world. 

However, as his consultancy grew, he soon realised that he was lacking in knowledge about Southeast Asia, one of his fastest growing markets. This ambition led him to a pivotal decision: to pursue an MBA at NUS Business School. The programme’s emphasis on practical learning and leadership skills with an Asian focus perfectly aligned with his aspirations. 

The impact of NUS Business School on Akhmet’s life was profound. The school’s experiential learning and robust networks opened doors to invaluable opportunities. He fondly remembers the mentorship he received from Mr Tan Soo Jin, whose guidance and shared entrepreneurial experiences were instrumental in his personal and business growth. Furthermore, the MBA’s immersion programme to the Philippines and other countries helped him form business connections, demonstrating the intangible benefits of NUS Business School’s focus on real-world experience. 

After graduating from NUS Business School, Akhmet pursued a corporate and entrepreneurial journey and continued part-time lecturing at one of the leading universities in Kazakhstan. His aim was to help other students discover their passion and purpose while giving back to the community. Through his own experiences, Akhmet also realised how education can be a great social levelling platform.  

In 2020, Akhmet decided to take his dreams of improving his country’s education standards further by starting Sauwat.Education, an edtech company. Inspired by the prevalence of online courses (and not physical ones) that he experienced during his MBA stint, his main aim was to address the lack of teachers and teaching resources faced by rural schools in Kazakhstan and other developing countries. Through Sauwat.Education, learners can access teaching materials and content taught by qualified teachers from all over the world at their convenience.