Ella Ulaya

Whoever said education is a key to a brighter future didn’t lie. Ella Ulaya, Managing Director for Management Development Centre (MDC), The Polytechnic, is someone with a humble background, but whose lives have been transformed after attaining good education.  Early in the week, our reporter, WATIPASO MZUNGU JNR, caught up with her to find out how she rose to this rank.

What is your background?

I was born on July 5 1977 to Francis and Elizabeth Kangaude (both deceased) at the Lilongwe Central Hospital. This means I have just turned 36 years. I have two brothers and an elder sister. I am the 3rd born.

I started and finished my secondary school education at Lilongwe Girls Secondary School in 1994 and was selected to go and study Business Administration at The Polytechnic, University of Malawi. I obtained my first degree in 1998 and then did my MBA at the same university which I completed in 2005.

Professionally, I am an academician and a consultant in management, marketing and entrepreneurship.

What about an immediate family?

Are you married?

I am married to Charles Ulaya who works for National Bank of Malawi, and we have three children, two girls and a boy (Sharon, Vitumbiko and Wongani). We have been together for a good 19 years.

What dreams did you have while growing up?

When I was young, I wanted to be on top, hold a top position in society, which would be for the benefit of the rural masses. My father was a Cabinet Minister and I wanted to be like him, become a minister because of the influence ministers have over lives of the citizenry. So my dreams were big.

When did you become director of MDC?

When I completed my first degree, my first employer was Women’s World Banking and I was the programme manager from January 1999 to June 1999. Then, I worked for Candlex Malawi Limited as a market research and sales executive but it was just for a month for I joined The University of Malawi, The Polytechnic in August 1999 as an assistant lecturer in the Business Administration department. This is where my journey starts as an academician. I became a full lecturer in 2005.

The MBA gave me confidence to go out and experience work life outside the Polytechnic and so I took advantage of the leave of absence and worked for the Lilongwe City Assembly as the director of commerce and industry (2008-2009) and also worked for NBS Bank as the training and development manager (2009-2010).  I returned to The Polytechnic but as director of MDC in December 2010 following the success in the University of Malawi recruitment processes.

I am now serving my second term of office as the director.

Apart from offering my services as the director at MDC, I still teach the Business Administration Year Three students my favourite subject, Marketing.

As a leader, how do you describe yourself?

I am a true democrat, who would want to hear all parties in any problem situation and then make a decision that best suits the situation.

Do you find your job interesting?

I like my job. It is challenging and that is what I like about it. What I enjoy most is making decisions for the centre to meet the expectations of all stakeholders. It gets me very busy that I do not have idle time and indeed there is no time to waste. One thing for sure is that the centre operates as a business entity.

Working with people who have different backgrounds, experiences, expertise, personalities, motives me, as I now understand people’s behaviour. I just love interacting with people and learning more from them.

What have been the challenges?

Challenges in such a top level position are inevitable. Much as I enjoy interacting with people, it also is a challenge getting them together to achieve a common goal. Being an action-oriented woman also puts more pressure on me as our system still remains bureaucratic. But all in all, it is an exciting job and I like it.

How are you addressing these challenges?

To overcome such challenges, understanding human behaviour is paramount and this has made me know people better and to get them to do what will enable us accomplish the goals before us. This makes me see how amazing, valuable and different each individual I work with is. And for the second challenge, it is important to know how systems work and how best you can get what you want. It’s all about understanding the structure and how processes are done in the whole organisation. This way, I do not get frustrated but rather find my way out by simply linking up with the relevant authorities. Of course, some things get done and some don’t but that is part of life.

How is MDC contributing to the development of this nation?

Malawi is a least developed country and all I do is to ensure that it’s the best for our economy. We offer training to people in the private sector as well as the public sector in their relevant scope of work. The idea is to enhance their skills and capabilities so that in the end, their good performance leads to success of their organisation and the nation at large.

What big sacrifices have you made to get to where you are?

Sacrifices made to get to where I am, is hard work in school and this meant foregoing some social activities that would disturb my studies. I stayed focused. Determination helps.

What would you want ambitious women in Malawi to learn from your journey?

Ambitious women in Malawi must know that education is key to any success. Always work extra harder and forget that you are a woman and do what you can do. There is no such a thing as a man’s world.

How do you balance your career and family life?

It’s all about planning your time. Know when your family needs you, know when you are most needed at work and balance the two. Planning is the weapon to balancing the two.

What do you like doing in your free time?

I like watching action and comedy movies and chatting with my children…Sometimes cooking in the kitchen.

Who is your role model?

My late father…he was honest, a hard worker and always stayed focused. He taught me how to be independent, in control and never give in when I know I am right.

Where do you want to see yourself in the next five years?

In the next five years, I want to be an associate professor and God willing go for my PhD.

What is your favourite food?

My favourite food, you will be surprised…I enjoy a cup of tea with milk and toasted bread…nothing beats that!

Anything that you would want us to know about you?

I am a sociable person, outgoing and love having fun.