Labib Ehsan didn’t just study his Master of Business Administration at CQUni Melbourne – he fell in love with the place! Originally from Bangladesh, Labib was also a Social Ambassador and International Ambassador during his time as a student, and part of CQUni’s semi-finalist team for The Big Idea 2016. He recently joined the Campus and Engagement team in Melbourne as Administration Officer.
What is your first memory?
My father is a physician and he was working in Khorramabad, Iran. I was born there and lived the first four years of my life there. I remember running around in knee-deep fields of snow during one winter. It was an adrenalin-charged and exhilarating feeling, maybe that’s why I remember this.
What is your favourite film or book of all time?
My favourite books growing up were the Harry Potter series. I think I’ve read each book 700 times. It’s not just a book about magic, potions and spells, as most people think, it is more to do about family, friendship, a lesson in racism, classism and generally rooting for the underdog – with a little bit of MAGIC! Favourite quote: “Of course it is happening inside your head but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”
What was a recent highlight of your life?
Graduating with a Master of Business Administration from CQUni last year, and now commencing as the Administration Officer at CQUni – good times!
What is the best thing about being at CQUni?
Meeting a diverse cohort of students and staff members. I love learning about different cultures and traditions – always have been fascinated by different customs, and Melbourne being the hipster capital of the world, has lots to offer! The CQUni Melbourne campus has plenty of international students, and my role involves interacting with heaps of them – it is a mutually symbiotic relationship!
Jamie Oliver is coming for dinner - what do you make for him?
I absolutely love Jamie! I even have one of his recipe books. I will probably cook something traditional for him, maybe something Bangladeshi. I would be keen to hear his feedback – he’s absolutely going to destroy me because I have utterly zero presentation skills when it comes to cooking!
What is a motto or phrase that you live by?
“When life knocks you down, try and land on your back – because if you can look up, you can get up, and if you can get up, you can keep moving forward.” – Les Brown
If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?
If I were a superhero, I’d be The Flash from DC comics – and be able to run faster than the speed of sound, not because I want any form of vigilante justice, but because I’d get one more hour to sleep before I have to start getting ready for work.
Tell us something your colleagues don’t know about you?
Once, when in high-school, I jumped from the outside of a four-storey roof-top building, with a length of rope to swing to another building across the street to retrieve a cricket ball. Lost my grip and fell on to the balcony of a stranger with blood oozing from my face and hands. Faced a lot of awkward questions, but in my defence that was my only cricket ball at the time!
