Alexey Astafev, deputy director of international business at Russian Railways

Alexey Astafev, 33, has lived in Moscow, Seoul, Pyongyang and Hong Kong. He worked eight years for the Russian Railways as an East Asia expert before attending the MBA program at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) in 2009. Shortly before graduation Astafev became the Asia Pacific chief of TransContainer, the logistics subsidiary of the Russian Railway. This month he got promoted to deputy director of the international business department in the parent company. He spoke in fluent Korean for the interview.

How did you come to the railway industry?

I majored in Korean studies at the Moscow Linguistic University during which time I was sent to Kyung Hee University on an exchange program. During my Ph.D. study at Moscow State University, I had a chance to work at the Pyeongyang (North Korea) office of the Russian Ministry of Railways. It was a time when the two Korea discussed about linking their railroads to the trans-Siberian railway. Later, the Russian government privatized the railroad sector so that turned me into a businessman from a public servant.

Did your company sponsor your MBA course?

Yes. Russian Railway wanted to expand globally, modernize its organization and adopt global business practices, so they started the sponsorship program for the first time. I was among the 10 people sent to foreign MBA schools.

Why did you select HKUST for the MBA?

My choice of HKUST was purposeful, as I wanted to do MBA in Asia to better position myself for a career in the region. And I believe it is the best school in Asia now, very dynamic, and one of the best globally.

Have you applied to other schools?

I had three options and one of them was Insead’s Singapore campus. But it seemed to me that it did not have the same capacity of its main campus in France. I also thought about CEIBS in Shanghai. But at the time Hong Kong seemed a more international place.

How about Korean MBA schools?

I had been to both South and North Korea so I was looking for something new. And it is obvious that China is the growth engine of the region so I wanted to experience it. But in the end I came to Korea’s KAIST as an exchange student during my final semester in September 2010.

Why was that?

I had to work. The company (TransContainer) was setting up a subsidiary in Korea and they wanted me to do the startup for it. It was very difficult to study and do business at the same time. And you know that Korean students are very hard-working so it was difficult to keep up with them.

What was your favorite class?

Larry Franklin used to be an investment banker for decades and he was an excellent teacher for the Private Equity and Venture Capital class. I enjoyed most of the elective courses. Though Hong Kong is best known for its finance industry, HKUST has a lot to offer in marketing and business strategy courses as well. Those were what I focused on.

Looking back, do you think your MBA has been helpful for your career so far?

Of course. I did not have background in economics or finance. I had some knowledge from my work experience but I used to feel that my capacity was limited. During the MBA, I was able to organize my thoughts and experience on business management and now I feel much more confident.

How about the alumni network?

Four classmates from Korea provided me with advice when I opened the Korean subsidiary of TransContainer last year. Now I am in charge of the international businesses in the Asian region and Australia, so I believe the HKUST alumni network will be very useful.
What was your most memorable event at the HKUST?
The Asia Pacific CEO of Maersk (the world’s largest shipping company) gave a lecture once, and I had the chance to talk to him personally. It was a very interesting occasion since Maersk is one of the most important firms in my industry.

Would you recommend HKUST?

I would definitely recommend HKUST to anyone, and would do another MBA myself there if I could. HKUST and Hong Kong are great places to be, to learn, expand your networks, especially with Asia, and have fun.

Interviewed by Cho Jin-seo