Dr. Slaveyko Djambazov (EMBA ‘10), Managing Director - HTA Ltd.: "Business is Science"
Dr. Slaveiko Djambazov is founder and managing partner at over 20 companies that drive the future of healthcare. He works on various projects as a private investor, consultant, mentor and expert and has an international experience in the field of hospital management, health insurance, pharmaceutical production, strategic planning and marketing. Djambazov graduated from the Executive MBA of the American University in Bulgaria in 2010 and holds diplomas in medicine and health management. He is a consultant, lecturer and author of textbooks on health technology assessment.
Why did you decide to enroll in the Executive MBA program of the American University in Bulgaria?
At the time I decided to enroll in the Executive MBA program I have already been a CEO for three years at a successful company with over 500 staff members and over 12 million EUR in turnover. In other words, I didn’t expect to learn much but still, I was curious. Of course, I underestimated the program and it wasn’t easy. I graduated in medicine and it turned out I needed to learn the theory in the field of ... actually in the field of everything that is part of the academic program of the EMBA at AUBG.
What was the most valuable lesson you learned as a student at the EMBA program?
Now I know that business is science and that one can always find information for the challenges they are facing. I learned to experiment in business and to put an end to all unsuccessful practices without much persistence when I recognize them. Thanks to the program I also built many friendships that are usually hard to find at this age – or at least it is hard to find so many friendships for such a short period of time. After all, it is still student life. Last but not least, the program gave me access to the ongoing business training of the American University in Bulgaria.
What is your opinion on the program itself and the way it is taught?
I knew what I wanted to get from the program and I did not spare my professors’ time and emails. I used everything I learned after a weekend at AUBG each Monday back at my job to find out what worked for my business and what didn’t. The program gave me a team training that I have not encountered in other universities at home and that was very useful to me and my current ventures.
Do you think that an EMBA diploma could change a person’s career development?
I definitely think that it is useful and I would recommend the program. Speaking of career – I left my job after our twins were born and I ventured into a lot of different endeavors. I have come to realize that I am currently working much more than before but only when I want to. I have found my place and I am happy.