Strathclyde Business School is to offer the Esraa Mansy Scholarship in memory of an outstanding MBA student at Strathclyde’s UAE campus. It is hoped the scholarship will motivate and support deserving Strathclyde businesswomen to persevere in the achievement of their own MBA and, no matter the challenges at hand, continue to pursue their dreams, just as Esraa did.
Esraa Hassan Mansy applied to the Strathclyde MBA in Dubai at the unusually young age of 24, and was accepted thanks to an impressive display of persistence, talent, and maturity. Born and reared in the UAE, she was of Egyptian descent, and brought to the Strathclyde MBA a Bachelors degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, several years of professional experience, and a winning combination of intelligence, confidence, and dedication. An excellent student, Esraa's natural leadership abilities led her to be widely considered an ideal team member on group projects. Esraa was furthermore a tremendous ambassador of the Strathclyde MBA, and her own presence on the programme inspired many other students to follow suit and apply to the Strathclyde Dubai centre.
Professionally, Esraa's career progressed rapidly after joining the MBA, with her employer Sanofi-Aventis promoting her into positions of increasing responsibility. Most recently she managed Group Business Development while simultaneously serving as a Senior Event Manager. Responsible for planning the details of large international medical industry events in the latter role, her profession allowed her to travel the world. She dreamed of someday moving overseas to pursue biochemistry lab research and find a cure for cancer, but meanwhile maintained a keen appreciation for the fact that her chosen career path allowed her to remain close to family while facilitating the spread of medicines and cures that had the power to improve lives.
Unfortunately Esraa fell ill with a serious autoimmune disorder during the strategy module in year two of her Strathclyde MBA. She continued on with the programme classes and assignments nonetheless, rarely letting on to classmates about the severity or prospects of her illness. After selflessly using her knowledge and connections to set up and oversee careful treatment plans for her mother, who was battling cancer at the same time, Esraa's own illness suddenly advanced and sadly Esraa passed away in July 2012.
Having completed her Strathclyde MBA despite the extraordinary challenges of her illness and circumstances, Strathclyde awarded Esraa her degree posthumously. Esraa's father, Hassan Mansy, accepted the degree parchment from Dr Ron Bradfield, Director of the Business School's campuses in the UAE.
Dr Bradfield said, "Her courageous perseverance and generous spirit touched all of those who had the privilege to know her at Strathclyde and beyond."
Esraa is survived by her parents and two siblings; an older brother and younger sister.
Esraa Hassan Mansy: February 1983 – July 2012