From science to practical application: YSU master's student's success in Mini MBA program

Liana notes that her primary motivation was to transform scientific and innovative ideas into practical, market-applicable models through structured thinking. She aims to deepen her strategic thinking and acquire tools that will allow her to develop an idea not only as a research concept but also as a viable project.

"This project made it possible not only to acquire specific skills, but also to understand how they are applied in practice as part of an integrated system."

Liana notes that the program was a valuable experience that can be effectively applied in her future professional and research activities, ensuring a systematic approach to the development and implementation of both scientific work and practical projects.

"Mini MBA stands out for its short yet highly focused format. It does not overload participants with theory; instead, it encourages thinking, analysis, and immediate application. In addition, the program included individual mentoring and constructive feedback, which is not always available in similar programs," she emphasizes.

YSU master's student's project, its results, and practical applicability 

– Liana, your project titled "W2D" stands out for its conceptual approach. Could you present its core idea, specifying the problem it addresses, its main objective, and its potential practical application in a real-world environment?

– "W2D" is a science-based and data-driven water quality monitoring project, built on measurable indicators, data collection, and analysis. Its primary goal is to ensure continuous monitoring of water resource conditions, early identification of potential issues, and data-informed decision-making. The project has broad applicability across various sectors, including environmental protection, agriculture, healthcare, urban management systems, and scientific research.

"W2D" allows not only the recording of changes in water quality, but also the forecasting of risks and the proposal of effective management solutions.

– You participated in the program with an already established team and a project that was already under development. At what stage was the project at the time of participation, and how did Mini MBA contribute to its refinement, particularly in terms of value proposition, target audience, and development strategy? 

– I joined the program with an already formed project developed by our team, which included Anna Poghosyan, Armen Yeranosyan, and Diana Khachatryan. During the Mini MBA program, we significantly improved and refined our minimum viable product by clearly defining the value proposition, target audience, and phased development strategy.

Teamwork played a key role both in strategic decision-making and in enhancing the project's practical applicability, bringing together diverse professional perspectives and experiences.

– During Mini MBA, you became familiar with various practical tools and business models. Are there any approaches you have already applied to your scientific project, and how have they influenced its structure and development logic?

– The practical approaches and thinking models presented during the program significantly changed the way we approach the project, making it more systematic and goal-oriented. They allowed us to clearly structure the stages, evaluate possible development scenarios, and link the scientific idea with its areas of application. These approaches provide an important foundation for the project's further development and effective implementation.

– Liana, what steps do you plan to take to transfer and apply the program's results within the research field? Do you also plan to develop your project as a business initiative with monetization potential?

– We plan to use the results obtained during the program as a foundation for further testing and scaling of the project. In parallel, we are developing it both from a research and a startup perspective, with the goal of creating a sustainable and market-applicable solution with clear monetization prospects.

Currently, our team is actively working on product improvement and preparing to hold a series of meetings with investors and business angels to discuss the next stages of development, investment opportunities, and market entry strategy.

Below are brief questions summarizing the winner's experience and key takeaways from the Mini MBA program.

– Mini MBA in one word.

– Opportunity.

– Science + business =

– Innovation.

– Five weeks: fast or effective?

– Effective.

– Theory or practice?

– Practice.

– Teamwork or individual approach?

– Both.

– Next step after Mini MBA.

– Project implementation.

Liana Khachatryan continuously develops her professional competencies, emphasizing the importance of combining academic education with practical experience.