Dr Sheela Murugasu
Senior Lecturer - Business
2026 marks two significant milestones for Dr Sheela Murugasu, who is celebrating 10 years working at UCOL and the completion of her PhD.
“I feel grateful to reach such an important point in both my academic and professional journey,” says Sheela. “To mark such a significant time teaching at UCOL and finishing my PhD is an incredible feeling.”
By 2007, Sheela had gained a host of qualifications already, but her passion for continued learning and self-growth drove her to take yet another step in her career while she was working as a high school teacher back in Malaysia.
“By this stage I had a Bachelor of Information Technology majoring in Management and a Post-graduate Diploma in Teaching for secondary education, however, I decided I was ready for a new challenge. I took the step next in my academic portfolio by completing a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) so I could combine both teaching and business as my next career progression.”
After completing her MBA, Sheela relocated to New Zealand in 2013, where she first took on a role at IPU Palmerston North before jumping at the chance to work at UCOL Whanganui in 2016, and then UCOL Manawatū six months later.
Sheela’s drive to grow her academic portfolio resurfaced again in 2021, when she decided to work towards her PhD after discovering her passion for research.
“I am extremely grateful for the support UCOL showed me during my research study. It was a wonderful opportunity in being able to continue working in the job I love while working on the study. This opportunity has also led me to being able to supervise our own undergraduate research students and the ongoing contribution to research within UCOL.”
With a focus on digital marketing, Sheela investigated the impact of social media influencers on consumers' purchase decisions within small and medium enterprises in the cosmetic industry.
“I used a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative and quantitative research to gauge an in-depth understanding of behaviour among Millennials and Generation Z consumers.”
The aim of the research was to provide practical recommendations for small and medium enterprises to develop targeted digital marketing strategies that could enhance their consumer engagement and purchase intentions online.
A key motivation to Sheela’s ongoing professional development comes from her passion to ensure her students are provided with the best learning opportunities.
“While working on publishing my thesis, my next goal is to engage with business professionals working within the industry so I can bring more knowledge back to our students. I believe the more we as lecturers can bring industry knowledge into the classroom, the better learning experiences our students will receive for success in the real world.”
Sheela is particularly excited about the opportunities this industry engagement will create through UCOL's upcoming Master of Applied Management programme.
“It is going to be an exciting addition to our business programmes! This will open the door for managers and people who have worked in the industry to gain an internationally recognised qualification.”
Sheela’s advice to those looking to study business at UCOL is simple.
“Don’t wait! Jump right it in and give it a go! If you wait and feel doubtful you’ll never find out if it’s right for you and how many doors business studies can open in your career.”
“As I have enjoyed continued learning throughout my career, I am passionate about teaching our students learning is for life and it doesn’t have to happen all at once. Whether you live out of to town and travel is tricky, you have a young family or family commitments, or you are currently working, UCOL is really supportive of each individual’s needs around learning and can make it work for you.”