A spark of genuine curiosity

It all started with a guest lecture. The CEO of Fibertex Personal Care visited AAU and shared how the company had reduced the weight of their fabrics for diapers and personal care products without compromising quality. This meant using fewer materials, lowering shipping costs, and improving sustainability.

Faik was immediately intrigued. “I just thought, how did they manage to do that? I wanted to learn more, not just out of curiosity, but also because this could be useful in the context of my home country, Bangladesh,” he says.

He took the initiative to reach out to his professor and the CEO. After a few conversations, a project collaboration was arranged.

 

Learning beyond the classroom

The collaboration lasted four months. Two months were remote, and the other two were on-site in Aalborg.

The project explored how companies can stay competitive in a circular economy by being flexible, open to learning, and willing to adapt.

Faik conducted interviews with managers, observed daily operations, and connected academic theory with real company practices. 

A unique look inside gave Faik confidence

Faik says the experience helped him understand the role of leadership and mindset in driving sustainability and innovation.

“It’s not just what a company does, but how and why they do it.”

He also values how the project helped him grow personally: 

Faik hopes the company found value in the project and may use the findings in the future.

But for now, he’s focused on where he wants to go next. His goal is to work in consulting, helping companies move toward more sustainable and circular business models, having learned from his project collaboration.

“A sustainable business model is good for the environment, but it’s also good for the company in the long run,” he says.