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