Studying at the University of Gibraltar | A Student Perspective

As a pharmacist working within a hospital setting, I had already seen many of the challenges healthcare professionals face on a daily basis, including work place pressures, communication difficulties and the important role organisational culture plays in shaping staff wellbeing and ultimately patient care. These experiences sparked my interest in leadership and motivated me to pursue this course to broaden my understanding of how organisations and people can be effectively supported and developed.

One of the things I appreciated about the programme was how relevant the topics were to real-life situations. Many of the modules connected directly to experiences I had already encountered within healthcare, particularly areas such as human resource management, organisational behaviour, ethics and digital transformation. It made learning more meaningful because I could relate the theory to my practice and experiences. Another highlight was learning alongside people from different backgrounds and experiences. These different perspectives helped me appreciate how leadership exists in other industries and helped foster a supportive learning environment where we all shared ideas and experiences openly.

Balancing postgraduate studies alongside my job, family life and motherhood was definitely challenging at times. There were moments where managing deadlines, work responsibilities and personal commitments felt overwhelming, but those experiences also became some of the most valuable parts of the journey. The course pushed me to become more disciplined, organised and confident in my abilities and over time, I started noticing that I was thinking more critically, approaching problems more strategically and contributing more confidently within discussions at work. Perhaps, the biggest change for me has been the shift in mindset in how I approach organisational issues. Before starting the programme, I focused mainly on the operational side of healthcare. Now, I find myself thinking more about the bigger picture, including communication, organisational culture, long-term planning and the importance of ethical decision-making.

Graduating as Valedictorian was a proud and meaningful achievement for me, especially considering the balancing act that postgraduate study requires. The experience reinforced my passion for continuous learning and personal development. I now feel more confident about pursuing future opportunities where I can continue developing my leadership skills and contribute positively within my organisation. Looking back, the MALM was not only academically rewarding, but also an experience that challenged me to grow in confidence and resilience, both on a personal and professional level.

By Kelly-Anne Bacarese