My Cranfield Journey: A Global Product Development Adventure
20/09/2024

Hi everyone! My name is Salma Aboujaafar, and I’ve just completed my MSc in Global Product Development and Management (GPD&M). I’m Moroccan, but I’m currently based in France, and my studies and professional experiences have taken me on a global adventure.
I chose Cranfield for its prestigious reputation and its strong industry connections. As a double degree student from IMT Nord Europe, the GPD&M course was a perfect fit with my previous studies. I was particularly drawn to its interdisciplinary nature, combining courses in digital engineering, product development, general management, and more.
The GPD&M course was demanding but incredibly rewarding. I loved the hands-on projects, especially the Group Project, which allowed us to tackle real-world industrial challenges. Working with classmates from diverse backgrounds was a highlight, as we brought different perspectives to problem-solving.
A typical day at Cranfield involved attending lectures from 9am to 5pm. After class, I’d relax with friends or focus on assignments. During study weeks, there were no formal lectures, but the workload didn’t let up. Weekends were more relaxed, and I enjoyed exploring nearby cities.
I’m currently completing my master’s thesis research at SNCF Réseau in Paris, which has been a great opportunity to apply my Cranfield knowledge in a practical setting.
Studying in the UK was a fantastic experience. The people are friendly, and the campus atmosphere is perfect for focusing on studies. I loved the Kings Norton Library and the delicious Kebab Truck!
In the future, I aim to pursue a career in the industrial sector, particularly in product development or operations management. I’m also considering pursuing a PhD in the future.
My advice to anyone interested in this field is to be proactive, build connections, and most importantly, enjoy the journey!
Oh, and one more thing: I’m a huge book lover! The UK is a book lover’s paradise, so I took full advantage. I ended up bringing back around 50 books with me!
Categories & Tags:
Leave a comment on this post:
You might also like…
Meet Mendeley: a powerful referencing tool that does the hard work for you!
Are you looking for a way to manage your references, create in-text citations and reference lists for your assignments or thesis? If so, you may wish to consider using Mendeley. What is it? Mendeley is ...
Adding documents to your Mendeley account
To make the most of a Mendeley account, it is useful to create and maintain a ‘Library’ of references. You can add references and documents to this Library in a number of ways: 1) Drag ...
Choosing the right reference management tool for you…
Are you thinking about using reference management software to help you manage your references? The Library is here to help you. While Mendeley has been our go-to reference management software for some years, we've recently ...
Cranfield Seed Fund recipient, Cosysense, are using AI to solve air conditioning problems and provide a net zero alternative
If you’ve ever worked in an office environment you’ve probably been involved in, or overheard, a conversation about the air conditioning. Well, it’s no surprise it’s a common complaint when research shows that up ...
An Eye-Opening Journey in Advanced GIS & Remote Sensing at Cranfield University
My experience in the Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing course at Cranfield University was nothing short of transformational. From day one, the course was designed to provide both technical expertise and real-world applications. What ...
EBSCO databases – User interface changes
EBSCO has recently introduced a new user interface which you will see when you access any of our EBSCO databases - Business Source Complete, EBSCO eJournals and eBooks, GreenFILE, PsycARTICLES and PsycINFO. If you've used ...