Muyanja Allan Mesach graduated from Nottingham University Business School China (NUBS China) with a Master’s Degree in International Management in 2017. After graduation, he has established Ningbo Lude International Trade Co., Ltd. in the China (Ningbo) Central and Eastern Europe Youth Innovation Centre. Its primary business is human resource management and foreign trade.

Founded in June 2018, the China (Ningbo) Central and Eastern Europe Youth Innovation Center is an entrepreneurial park and incubator for Central and Eastern European youth in Ningbo. It specialises in providing financial support and legal consulting services for start-ups from Central and Eastern Europe and the “Belt and Road”. Ningbo Lude International Trade Co., Ltd. (known as "Lude") is one of these companies that operate at the Centre. Lude's current business is to help foreigners resolve employment problems in Ningbo and develop trade between China and Uganda. The name "Lude" is transliterated from Surinamese "Rudo" which means "Love". Allan says that his entrepreneurial experience in Ningbo is a practice of love and trust.

Allan started his first business Tattoo Studio with a roommate when he was an undergraduate. His roommate was responsible for the design and making of tattoos and Allan was responsible for attracting customers. In a short time, this small studio became very popular among international students.

Allan then moved into fashion. The idea originated from the small market demand on campus. Many of his friends wanted school logos printed on souvenir items for nostalgia purposes during graduation season. However, there were no such goods on campus, which drove him to design and sell hoodies with the school logo. To produce high-quality clothing, Allan paid close attention to details. He went to Beilun District to determine the fabric, colour and pattern with the manufacturer after getting permission using the logo. His meticulousness and persistence brought good results: more than 1,000 hoodies were sold and became out of stock when he graduated.

He also partnered with Chinese friends for foreign trade, selling handbags and women’s hair to African countries such as Uganda because he discovered that many women in Uganda would wear wigs and buy lots of handbags. Allan mentioned that his success in entrepreneurship was based on the help and trust of friends around him. One of his friends, Hilda, was both his work partner and the company's legal 'referee'. When Allan came up with the idea of exporting wigs to African countries, Hilda immediately bought train tickets to Henan Province, the largest wig production base in China, to negotiate with local manufacturers. “I learned high efficiency and great execution from them. Without them, my entrepreneurial path in Ningbo would have been very difficult,” Allan said.

In Autumn 2018, Lude was born as a human resource platform providing services between employees and employers. Allan was always dedicated to provide the most suitable link for both parties. He spent at least two hours interviewing potential job applicants before recommending them to an employer. "We have a special system to evaluate job candidates, my clients trust me a lot and introduce more customers to us," he said.

The recruitment of foreign English teachers accounts for the vast majority of Lude’s business. Allan had been a part-time English teacher for foreign language training agencies, allowing him to see the high demand and special features of the market. Applying for the same position, British and American job applicants were usually more competitive than those from other countries. "Letting the market accept diversity was my original intention of establishing Lude. I recommend candidates who meet the job requirements, have related work experiences and high enthusiasm to the schools. Meanwhile, I encourage schools to accept more employees from other countries," he said. 60% of the successful contracts signed by Lude were for job applicants from South African countries. 

So far, the development of Lude has exceeded Allan’s expectations after less than two years. In the near future, the company will expand and scale up by recruiting some Chinese employees. He will also pay more attention to foreign trade, not just 'headhunting'.

A person with a clear goal is more likely to succeed. Allan is such a post-90s generation entrepreneur with a sense of direction.

Allan's father was a senior engineer from Uganda and was working on a national-level project with a Chinese engineer. Close communication between his father and his Chinese colleagues allowed a seed to be planted in Allan’s mind which made him yearn for China. He came to China to study in 2012. In 2016, Allan graduated from a Chinese university as an outstanding graduate majoring in International Economics and Trade. At that time, he had the idea of starting his own business, but lacked knowledge in management, so he applied for the MSc International Management at NUBS China. “To be honest, in our culture, parents are not obliged to pay any tuition fees for their children after the undergraduate level, but my father still supported my postgraduate study decision financially and emotionally." With the support of his father, Allan began his one-year master’s study at NUBS China.

Study did not go smoothly at the beginning. Allan was rather lost at the end of the first semester. This frustrated him, but he turned the corner and was inspired to recommit to study. Allan decided to spend more time studying in the library and reduce his social life. Finally, his efforts paid off. In November 2017, Allan completed the master’s programme with distinction.

"The University of Nottingham Ningbo China encourages students to take the initiative when it comes to thinking rather than spoon-feeding them. I enjoyed every class here. I have learned a lot during my interaction with teachers and students from different countries and educational backgrounds. In addition, I also would like to thank my supervisor Dr Joon Park, Associate Professor in Organisational Behavior at NUBS China, who not only helped me a lot in my studies but also showed me the right way in life and work," said Allan.

Based on his dissertation, Allan and Dr Park wrote a paper Experiences and Perceptions of White Collar Ugandan Employees Working in Chinese Firms: An Exploratory Study. The paper was accepted and presented at the Africa Academy of Management which was held in Lagos, Nigeria.

Keeping on learning is an effective way to face a changing world. Allan is currently pursuing a second master's degree in International Law while working. 

Let’s wish him a further success in the future.