Alumni Profile: Aravindha Krishnamachari

Degree: Master of Applied Commerce (2008) Current Position: Director and Chief Operations Executive, Tex Biosciences, India LESS than one year ago, you may have spotted Aravindha Prakash Krishnamachari with his head in the books at the Baillieu Library. But these days, the 26-year-old is a long way from the University of Melbourne campus. He is now based in India, working as director and chief operations executive for private industrial biotech company, Tex Biosciences. With more than 200 staff and an annual turnover of $15 million USD, Tex Biosciences exports environmentally-friendly enzymes to countries across the world. It services a broad range of industries, including poultry, aquaculture, leather, pulp and paper, detergent and pharmaceutical.

Mr Krishnamachari's strong desire to boost the local economy in his home town of Chennai, India, drove him to pursue work with enzyme manufacturer Tex Biosciences. He landed the challenging role with the company in January, shortly after completing a Masters Degree of Applied Commerce (Operations Management) at the University of Melbourne.
Though still new in the role, the Indian-born alumnus said he believed his time at the University of Melbourne had equipped him with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed.
``While only time will tell what kind of legacy I leave with Tex Biosciences, I will always fondly remember the times I spent at the University, brain storming ideas with some of the smartest minds across the globe,'' he said.

"The university shaped my thinking and moulded me to be an entrepreneur."
Mr Krishnamachari previously worked as a counsellor with IDP Education Australia, India, before deciding to take the next step in his career.
With a Bachelors Degree in Business Management under his belt, he was accepted to study his Masters Degree at the University of Melbourne with an AG Whitlam scholarship.
He admitted it was a trepidatious beginning, as he arrived to start his studies in Melbourne "confused and worried".
"But I soon slipped into my routine and discovered friendships for life,’’ he said.
"I looked up to my lecturers and soaked up all that the university could offer in terms of academic rigour and knowledge."
Mr Krishnamachari juggled his studies with part time work as an HR consultant at a private Melbourne company, consulting to some of the biggest construction and manufacturing companies in Victoria.
Despite reaching many of his challenging goals at a young age, Mr Krishnamachari’s proudest moment was attending his graduation ceremony in March with his family by his side.
"My family was in tears as stood in the stage receiving my award from the Dean," Mr Krishnamachari said.
"They could not believe that I have evolved and achieved something very memorable."