Former Indian international student in Australia now among most powerful women in business

An Indian international student who studied in Australia in the 1970s is now one of the most powerful women in business.

Kiran Majumdar-Shaw (far right) pictured in her student days. Source: Federation University Australia

The list of top 100 Most Powerful Women in the World 2017 has been released by on Forbes magazine. 

The editors of the List, Dorothy Pomerantz, Samantha Shaddock and Caroline Howard, say – "The 2017 World’s 100 Most Powerful Women identifies a new generation of icons, game-changers and gate crashers who are boldly scaling new heights and transforming the world."

Among the top 20 noted women CEOs are two Indians: No. 2 is Indra Nooyi (CEO, Pepsico) and No. 14 is Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (Chair, Biocon).

While Indra is an Indian-American business executive and has consistently ranked among the World's 100 Most Powerful Women, Kiran is a former Indian international student who studied in Australia and today heads Biocon Limited, a biotechnology company based in Bengaluru.

Kiran Majumdar-Shaw Source: YouTube

Kiran’s father, Rasendra Mazumdar, was the head brewmaster at United Breweries.

It was on her father’s advice she study fermentation science, a very non-traditional field for a woman, at the University of Ballarat (now Federation University Australia).

Kiran enrolled to study Diploma of Malting and Brewing at the Ballarat Institute of Advanced Education (BCAE).

In 1974, she was the only woman enrolled in the brewing course and topped her class.

After earning the degree of Master Brewer in 1975, she worked as a trainee brewer in Carlton and United Breweries and as a trainee maltster at Barrett Brothers and Burston.

Janaki Krishnan in her book, Breaking Barriers: Success Stories of India's Leading Businesswomen (2013), notes that after her return to India, she couldn’t find work in the same field as she was told that she would not be hired as a master brewer in India because "It's a man's work."

Black and White - Aerial view of Ballarat Institute of Advanced Education Mount Helen Campus, 1983 Source: Museums Victoria

In 1978, she joined Biocon in Ireland as a trainee manager and never looked back.

On 13 December 2004 the University of Ballarat recognised Mazumdar-Shaw's preeminent contribution to the field of biotechnology when she was presented with an Honorary Doctorate.

Professor Kerry Cox, then Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ballarat, said of Kiran’s achievement: "We are extremely proud of the achievements of our graduates."

"Some in particular, as is evident here, could easily be ranked among the best in the world. We are extremely pleased Ms Mazumdar-Shaw has enjoyed great success professionally.

"Her work on commercialising enzymes and pharmaceuticals is testimony to her persistence, entrepreneurialism and business acumen.

"The University takes great pride in the fact she is one of our most distinguished graduates."

On receiving the Global Australian Alumni Award, Kiran observed that she will always cherish her time spent in Australia which taught her to be resourceful.

WATCH VIDEO: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw’s Advance Global Australian Awards Alumni Acceptance Speech

In 2015, Federation University Australia also named a road in its Mt Helen campus as Mazumdar Drive in honour of their illustrious alumna.

Kiran Majumdar-Shaw at Majumdar Drive Source: Federation University Australia

Having gained the rank of number 14 in Forbes’ 2017 list, today Kiran Majumdar-Shaw is an inspiration to all Indian international students who want follow in her footsteps in their careers.

Molina Swarup Asthana, noted lawyer, community leader and Victorian Convenor of the Asian Australian Alliance, says

"It is a milestone to see Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw Chair of Biocon in the Forbes 19 Most Powerful Women in Business 2017.  Why it is even more significant is because Kiran came to Australia as an International Student, struggled to find work in a male dominated industry in which she specialised, yet made her way slowly and steadily to the top. Her success heralds an era that not only values gender diversity but also diversity of race and ethnicity, which for women of colour is a double whammy."

Molina Swarup Asthana at Australian National Maritime Museum. Source: Molina Swarup Asthana

Nearly one-quarter of those named on the Forbes power-list names are newcomers. The list also includes five Indians: ICICI bank's CEO Chanda Kochhar at no. 32, HCL Enterprise's CEO Roshni Nadar Malhotra at no. 57, Biocon Limited's Managing Director Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw at no. 71, Shobhana Bhartia, Chairperson and Editorial Director for HT Media at no. 91 and actress Priyanka Chopra at no. 97.

Priyanka Chopra Source: Priyanka Chopra Instagram