When McMaster’s Master’s of Engineering Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MEEI) program returns in September 2025, it will do so with the endorsement of alumni like Pooja Gujral, who credits the program with bridging the gap between her technical expertise and her aspirations in management and entrepreneurship.
For Gujral, pursuing the MEEI was a natural progression in her career journey. A graduate from Bharati Vidyapeeth’s College of Engineering in India, she became increasingly aware of the value of brand-building during her time as an engineer in the supply chain field at McDermott International, a global provider of engineering and construction solutions to the energy industry. “This work experience inspired me to envision a future where I could lead my own vertical within a company or even create my own venture,” she says.
Entrepreneurship is also in her blood. Gujral draws inspiration from her father and grandfather, who built and sustained a successful family furniture business. “They instilled in me the values of hard work, dedication and an entrepreneurial spirit,” she adds. Recognizing that the MEEI program aligned with her aspirations, Gujral knew it could provide the tools and knowledge needed to merge her engineering background with the strategic and entrepreneurial skills required to achieve her career goals.
True to her expectations, the MEEI program delivered its promise and Gujral flourished as a student. “Pooja’s ability to blend innovative thinking with strategic business planning sets her apart as an engineering management professional that any employer would be fortunate to have,” says Allan MacKenzie, assistant professor at the Faculty of Engineering’s W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology and Gujral’s supervisor on a business development project with FuturU Global Health Inc.
“Her natural leadership and strong work ethic allowed her to guide her team through complex challenges, ultimately delivering a multi-phase, in-depth commercialization plan for the North American market. She exemplifies the impact that graduates from our Master’s of Engineering Entrepreneurship and Innovation program can achieve.”
“Her natural leadership and strong work ethic allowed her to guide her team through complex challenges, ultimately delivering a multi-phase, in-depth commercialization plan for the North American market. She exemplifies the impact that graduates from our Master’s of Engineering Entrepreneurship and Innovation program can achieve.”
Gujral’s experience during the program was underscored by notable achievements which include a scholarship for more than $11,000 from the W Booth School, serving as Vice-President of the School of Engineering Practice and Technology (SEPT) Society and securing an off-campus opportunity with BMW Group Canada for their STAR Rotational Internship Program in her final semester.
Despite these achievements, Gujral says that her professors were the highlight of her academic journey.
“One of my fondest memories from the MEEI program is my time in Professor Paul Chipperton’s class on Entrepreneurship Opportunity Identification,” says Gujral. “The diverse mix of students from different streams made it an exciting experience and his teaching style was particularly impactful, as it was designed for those looking to transition from academia to the real-world hustle.”
Gujral also describes Allan MacKenzie as an “incredible mentor” adding, “his teachings, for personal and professional development, have left a lasting impression on me.”
Last but by no means least, Gujral thanks Hoda Kamel, professor and program chair for BTech Business and Management, for walking her through the crucial concepts of marketing.
Now working at BMW Canada in after-sales brand marketing, Gujral reflects on how the global perspective she gained from the MEEI program influences her approach to innovation and problem-solving.
“Courses like Leadership for Innovation, Marketing 101, and Entrepreneurial Opportunity Development taught me how to build products and ideas from scratch, focusing on team dynamics and strategies to bring these products to consumers,” she explains.
As the MEEI program relaunches, it will emphasize driving innovation within existing businesses or intrapreneurship—a concept Gujral strongly supports. “Intrapreneurship provides a safety net for students if their own ventures don’t take off immediately,” she notes. Aspiring to lead her own vertical within a company, Gujral believes this focus in the updated program will better equip students for their careers.
Looking ahead, Gujral envisions herself in a managerial role in the automotive sector, driven by her passion for cars and new technologies. She’s excited for the next generation to experience the MEEI program, calling it “the ideal platform for anyone looking to make their mark in engineering and innovation.”