Shuwei Shi
Alliance Manchester Business School
“I treat every classroom like a global boardroom, because professionalism has no borders.”
Fun fact about yourself: I have adapted to four school systems and still survived exam season every time.
Hometown: Shenzhen, China
High School: Gymnasium Hofwil, Switzerland; C-UK College, China
Major: BSc Information Technology Management for Business with Industrial Experience
Minor: N/A
Favorite Business Course: My favourite business course is BMAN32141 Business IT Architecture taught by Dr. Pedro Sampaio. It is a three-month team project where we designed a cloud-based solution for a legacy Crime Fighting System. Throughout the course, I learnt the importance of translating business requirements into structured architectural models and making sure every design decision could be traced back to business goals. This course brought together IT and business concepts, which helped me understand how they influence one another within a project.
The most exciting part of this course was being able to immediately apply the models we learnt in practical scenarios and work as a team to understand how each model supported the overall solution. It was challenging, but also engaging and highly rewarding.
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
* British Sign Language Intermediate Session 1 Completion (2025)
* Theatre Production supported by the Confucius Institute at The University of Manchester, Cast Member (2023-2024)
* Procter & Gamble ITMB Programme Mid-term Team Case Competition, Third Place (2023)
* Macquarie Spring Insight Programme & Campus Ambassador (2023)
* The Access Project, Volunteer Tutor (2023)
* Scotiabank UpLIFTED Women in Finance Development Programme, Mentee (2023)
* Manchester Chinese Students and Scholars Association, Minister of Employment Department (2022-2023)
Where have you interned during your college career?
Baillie Gifford, Technical Infrastructure Intern, Edinburgh (2025)
Lloyds Banking Group, Data Analyst Industrial Placement, Edinburgh (2024-2025)
Where will you be working after graduation? Lloyds Banking Group, Data Science & AI Graduate Scheme (London)
Who is your favorite business professor? I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Grigory Pishchulov. When I first began my undergraduate studies, he was the Programme Director and also taught the Software Application Design and Development course. At the time, I felt quite stressed because it was a completely new area for me. He patiently answered my questions during lectures and office hours, encouraged me to keep going, and recognised the progress I was making.
Dr. Grigory also genuinely shared his teaching experience across different institutions, which inspired me greatly. His patience and support have had a lasting impact on me. Through his guidance, I learnt to hold myself to high standards and approach learning with rigour and persistence.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? The biggest lesson I have gained from studying business at AMBS is to never stop learning. Over the past four years, I have realised how quickly the business landscape evolves, driven by technological innovation and changing market dynamics. It is essential to continuously update my knowledge and stay ahead of emerging trends.
Through my studies, I also discovered that learning fuels curiosity. The more deeply I engage with a subject, the more motivated I become to explore it further. Although learning can sometimes feel repetitive or frustrating, especially when grappling with complex concepts, I have come to understand that persistence through discomfort is a fundamental part of growth.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? When you first begin studying business or consider entering the field, it is natural to feel anxious or uncertain about your path. Many people do not yet know what truly interests them, so feeling lost at times is completely normal.
As I approach the end of my undergraduate journey, I am still not entirely certain about where my passion lies. However, that uncertainty has never stopped me from exploring new areas and challenging myself along the way. Do not limit yourself. It does not matter whether you already have a clear direction or not. Growth comes from experience, practice, and stepping outside your comfort zone. You may be surprised by where you eventually find yourself.
Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? There are many events organised by business societies at AMBS, and I wish I had attended more of them. These activities range from hackathons and workshops to guest panels, which offer valuable opportunities to explore different areas of business and build professional connections. I found them particularly inspiring.
For example, my dissertation focuses on applying AI in investment management. By attending an investor guest speaker event organised by the University of Manchester Business Society, I gained deeper insights into asset classes and portfolio strategy. The speakers also shared their experiences of using technology and data analytics within investment management, which strongly resonated with me as a student studying IT and business.
What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? One way my business school has integrated AI into our experience is by actively encouraging students to engage with hands-on AI initiatives beyond the classroom. We are regularly supported through workshops, challenges, and industry-led events that focus on practical AI skills, such as prompt engineering and building AI agents. So AI becomes something we actively use and explore, which helps strengthen both our technical skills and strategic thinking.
One insight I gained from using AI is that AI itself doesn’t replace people, but people who use AI effectively may replace those who don’t. During my placement at Lloyds Banking Group, my manager emphasized that AI is an augmentation tool, not a substitute for judgement. The real differentiator is knowing how to ask the right questions, validate outputs, and apply critical thinking.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am very proud to have been part of two theatre productions during my time at The University of Manchester. Both performances were supported by the Manchester Confucius Institute, and the stories were based on the real-life experiences of Asian people living in the UK.
The first show, Behind the Curtained Door, was performed at the Universities of Leeds, Nottingham, and Edge Hill. The second show, Another Life, was performed at The University of Manchester, and its script was written by graduates of The University of Manchester who majored in Theatre.
As an international student, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be exposed to diverse cultures and to meet people from around the world. Bringing my own cultural background to others through theatre has been an unforgettable and meaningful experience. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to the individuals whose real-life stories inspired these productions. It was an emotional journey filled with love, authenticity, and heartfelt expression.
Which classmate do you most admire? I am surrounded by many great people who have inspired and encouraged me so much. Oliver Kennett immediately comes to mind. He has always been so supportive and willing to help. I remember when I shared my concerns about choosing a dissertation topic, he sent me a list of materials to guide me. When Oliver worked as a student representative, he collected our feedback and tried his best to make sure everyone could make the most of their university experience.
Oliver also studies diligently and he constantly challenges himself by exploring different learning paths in depth. It is always a pleasure to study and work on course projects with him as a team!
Who would you most want to thank for your success? My mom has always been my best friend and the biggest supporter. I bet she still doesn’t exactly know what I am studying. However, the help and advice I receive from her have never been any less valuable. When I hesitate to leave my comfort zone, she pushes me forward. When I struggle with difficult decisions, she lays out the pros and cons and guides me step-by-step. When I lose confidence, she reminds me of who I am and how far I have come.
Most importantly, her lifelong learning mindset has deeply inspired me to challenge myself and to accept obstacles as part of the journey. I am incredibly grateful to have her not only as my mom, but also as my lifelong guide.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
* Maximize my graduate scheme experience and build strong professional foundations in data science and practical AI.
* Develop fluency in British Sign Language and actively support accessibility initiatives.
What made Shuwei such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2026?
“It has been such a joy to observe Shuwei’s growth both in and out of the classroom throughout her time at the Alliance Manchester Business School. She has always demonstrated a strong commitment to her studies, approaching her academic work with professionalism, maturity, and a clear desire to achieve high standards. Her performance across the programme has been strong, and she has really excelled in applied and collaborative settings, including her work on the P&G project and her contributions to the ITMB Showcase.
Shuwei has also made an impact beyond her academic performance. She is widely regarded as a valuable member of the ITMB community, with fellow academics consistently noting her positive attitude, strong work ethic, ability to work effectively with others, and her proactive approach to achieving high standards in all she does. She has shown genuine care for her peers, demonstrating a clear willingness to support them in team projects and beyond the classroom.
Shuwei’s professionalism and work ethic have been further demonstrated during her industrial placement at Lloyds Bank, where she performed exceptionally well and was offered the opportunity to return to the organisation upon graduation. This is a strong reflection of her capability, adaptability, and the impression she leaves on those she works with. Shuwei has been an invaluable addition to the Class of 2026 and I am confident she will continue to excel after graduation!”
Tatiana M. Martinez
Lecturer in Management Science
Programme Director for BSc (Hons) Information Technology Management for Business (ITMB)
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