Full Name: Yashin Brijmohan

Position: Executive dean: business, engineering and technology, Monash South Africa

Main Activity of the Company: Monash South Africa is a higher education institution

Date and Place of Birth: November 30, 1975, Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal

Education: Bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering and engineering management respectively

First Job: Plant risk management analyst

Career History Prior to Current Position: Head of school: engineering, Eskom Academy of Learning; head of school: engineering, information technology (IT) and design, Monash South Africa; chairperson of the international engineering committee of the World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO); board member of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's International Centre for Engineering Education; and VP of the WFEO

Size of First Pay Packet: About R65 000 a year

First Job with Present Group: Head of school: Engineering, IT and Design

Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated

Number of People under your Leadership: The leadership, programme leaders, staff, contractors and students in the five main areas I manage at Monash South Africa, namely commerce, accountancy, information systems, engineering and law

Management Style: I am inclined towards transformational leadership, but also apply other leadership styles and techniques, depending on the context

Personal Best Achievement: I am the first person in my family tree to obtain an engineering degree.

Professional Best Achievement: As an engineer, I worked in human resources and was awarded the Vision Award for my work in young professional development across professions. Later on, I led the development of the strategy for the Engineering Council of South Africa, and led its strategic advisory committee as chairperson

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: HH Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, who has managed to unite so many people across nations through inner transformation techniques, which she introduced freely to the world

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: I have had many mentors

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: If I could go back in time, it would be Abraham Lincoln

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Jack Ma, for his perseverance

Philosophy of Life: I believe life should be enjoyed responsibly

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Every moment creates a new opportunity; I take each moment as the best opportunity at the time

Biggest Ever Disappointment: I am generally disappointed when people cheat others for their own selfish ends

Hope for the Future: The youth are my hope for the future, and this is why I decided to focus on education

Favourite Reading: World philosophers, especially those who have stood the test of time; technology trends; and advances in holistic medicine

Favourite TV Programme: Star Trek

Favourite Food/Drink: Spicy or Mediterranean food/Turkish tea

Favourite Music: Instrumental

Favourite Sport: Cricket

Favourite Website: Not stated

Hobbies: Playing musical instruments and speaking to technical experts

Car: BMW

Pets: Dogs

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Arrogance, whether in systems or people

Favourite Other South African Company: I have met many entrepreneurs who have established companies in South Africa, and I am inclined towards those that are focused on transforming society positively

Favourite Foreign Company: Apple

Married: Yes

Children: Three children

Clubs: Not stated