<p><span class="p-body">Omar Alvarez-Pousa's extensive background in both academia and industry is what any student entering his classroom could hope for. In the MS in Management and Systems program at NYU SPS, Alvarez-Pousa is part of a group of faculty whose real world experiences prepare students to shape the future of business technology. We sat down with Instructor Alvarez-Pousa to learn more about his international background, success stories from the classroom, and advice for future students and leaders in the field.</span></p>
Academic and Professional Background
<p><span class="p-body">Alvarez-Pousa's education began in Argentina, where he earned his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. He holds a Contador Publico (CPA) and Licenciado en Administración (MBA) from the Universidad Nacional de Lomas de Zamora and a Doctorate in Administration (DBA) from the Universidad Católica de La Plata, a degree certified in the US by World Education Services.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">He began teaching at various universities in Argentina, including Universidad Nacional de Lomas de Zamora, Universidad Católica de La Plata, Universidad de Buenos Aires, and Universidad de Belgrano, where he taught business and informatics for 18 years. His professional career in multinational companies based in Buenos Aires ran parallel to his academic work.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">In 1999, Pfizer offered him a transfer to their headquarters in Manhattan, where he joined the Business Technology team as Manager for the Licenses and Development (M&A) area. It was through a relationship between Belgrano University and NYU SPS that Alvarez-Pousa's credentials were sent to the Dean and Academic Director at NYU. Despite the L1 visa restrictions that initially limited his employment to Pfizer, he seized the opportunity to study at NYU, earning a Certificate in e-Business.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">This experience opened the door to NYU SPS, where he began teaching as an adjunct professor in 2002. Reflecting on this period, he says, "I love to teach at NYU SPS based on the superb academic level of deans and faculty and the supportive and inclusive environment."</span></p>
Teaching as a Way to Give Back
<p><span class="p-body">Alvarez-Pousa's passion for teaching is deeply rooted in a desire to give back to society. "The sense of returning my learnings to the society that allowed me to grow in my professional life and support me in my personal life," he explains, is a driving force behind his commitment. He sees teaching as a professional ethical duty to shape and support new professionals, ensuring they excel beyond previous generations.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Students resoundingly agree that Alvarez-Pousa's provide valuable real business life experiences. He maintains professional connections with many of his former students, who appreciate the practical application of business methodologies, theories, and best practices they learned. He often integrates guest speakers, subject matter experts, and real business cases into his teaching, enhancing the learning experience.</span></p>
Student Experiences and Successes
<p><span class="p-body">He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, not only from faculty and students but from support teams, industry experts, and other higher education institutions. His signature Capstone course allows students to develop innovative ideas and convert them into business plans, mimicking real business life. "I can put into practice with my students what I have learned and help them plan, design, and justify their ideas to innovate in society," Alvarez-Pousa shares.One of his proudest achievements is the success of his students in their Capstone presentations. Over the past decade, none of his students have failed their final presentations. "The metric for me in Capstone courses is to have the case reviewed by external judges during a live presentation," he explains.</span></p>
Embracing New Technologies
<p><span class="p-body">Looking to the future, Alvarez-Pousa sees the integration of new technologies as essential for business innovation. From Artificial Intelligence and business automation to virtual collaboration and Augmented Reality, these tools are crucial for creating new opportunities and reaching global audiences. "Embrace new technologies that are popping up at any moment," he advises.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Drawing from family business endeavors and corporate work, Alvarez-Pousa brings a wealth of entrepreneurial experience to SPS, teaching students the importance of analytical thinking and innovation in preparation for real-world challenges. "Applying analytical thinking to innovation to create a better society" is a core principle he hopes to instill in his students.</span></p>
Advice for Students
<p><span class="p-body">For prospective students, Alvarez-Pousa emphasizes the importance of preparation and engagement. "Be prepared for each course that you will take, do not wait until the first class to start learning," he advises. He encourages students to develop their innovative business ideas throughout their studies and to approach their courses with eagerness and humility.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Omar Alvarez-Pousa contributions to NYU SPS and his students are a reflection of his dedication to shaping the future of business and technology. Join the next wave of trailblazers by pursuing an <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-management-and-systems.html" title="MS in Management and Systems">MS in Management and Systems</a>.</span></p>