Views from Our Participants
Avanos Medical
"I joined the prestigious Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program of CityU last year, in the fall of 2017 and I must say I am every bit loving it!
After successfully completing a very coveted Clinical Psychology Master in Consulting, Coaching & Change degree from INSEAD and an MBA degree earlier, and having 22 years of industry experience, I was looking for a program and institution that would provide the right study platform, intellectual intensity and research rigor, that was also practice focused and global. I evaluated half a dozen globally ranked Doctoral/PhD programs and finally settled for the CityU DBA program, that, not only met all my above needs but also brought me closer to the Asian and Chinese Management Thinkers and Researchers – a huge bonus from a learning perspectives, for future.
This introduction would be incomplete without my mention of Prof. Ozer and his very passionate personality, through my appellation and interview process. I still remember one of his last comments during my candidate selection interview – ‘Your research topic, at the end of the day should be what you are passionate about and not anyone else. At CityU we can offer you that.' I was Sold!!"
Fitch Solutions, A Member of Fitch Group
“I have worked for two international rating agencies for about 15 years in various roles, including regulatory advisory, credit risk modeling and product management. Throughout my career, I have continued to study in order to keep up with the changing business environment. I already have two master degrees in completely different disciplines! I have asked myself: what should be my next step?
To help me decide, I spoke to several professors who all encouraged me to undertake a DBA which will enable me to focus on researching on practical business issues and also make contributions to the community. I looked up DBA program offerings from different universities and found that CityU DBA has a flexible structure. During a 1:1 meeting with Prof Ozer, he gave me a very comprehensive introduction the program and, more importantly, I could feel his passion. Additionally, I was impressed that of Business of CityU has recently climbed up significantly in UT Dallas’s ranking. I knew that’s what I was after.
I am in now and knowing my learning partners another big plus me. completing my DBA journey, support from family, friends, professors, LPs and even colleagues are important, and I am grateful to have all!”
Chairman, Federation of Hong Kong Industries
“It is a dream come true experience in joining CityU DBA program in 2021 cohort and It has been one of the best decisions in my life.
After almost 3 decades of entrepreneurship journey of doing business in technology industry, I always search the possibility of solving business problem from different perspectives. As a result, to pursuit a doctorate degree and explore the world of research in generating new management ideas and applying advanced research techniques to solve our complex real-world business and management problem, as offered by this DBA program from CityU, become my choice.
CityU DBA offers the flexible program structure with spiral learning idea, leads learning partners to do the rigorous research with critical thinking approach. The rich resources offered by the program, such as renowned professors, professional team, great learning partners from different industries, and online and offline library and technology tools, become an important asset. Last but not the least, the program director Prof Ozer is so passionate in world class DBA education, and I am always inspired by his classes and presentations. ”
Founder & Owner
PI CONS (HK) Ltd
"Having worked for more than 20 years managing IT project in the Financial Industry in various roles and responsibilities I decided last year to take a sabbatical break, to start my own consulting business and to go back to university to challenge myself again.
After some research I decided to go for a professional doctorate program. My goal is to combine my extensive work experience with the methodical and rigorous research approach of the DBA program. I want to gain new insights through my research and bring them back into my consulting work.
From the start I was impressed with the set-up, focus and support offered by the CityU DBA program. The professors, my mentor, the learning partners, the university's infrastructure - all orchestrated to ensure that my research journey comes to a successful and rewarding end.
With the depth and breadth of the DBA cohorts it offers a unique and fantastic networking platform across industries, cultural backgrounds and work experiences. Even though each and every one has a unique research topic, the willingness to support and help as well as the community spirit are impressive."
China Construction Bank Corporation (London)
"I joined the CityU DBA programme in 2019 after having been in the banking industry for 30 years. In 2018, I wondered what I should do before venturing into retirement. I thought about further education, after having been away from school for 20 years since I received my MBA in 2000.
I was enlightened by Professor Ozer's classes and various reverse engineering in-class activities. Although classes were disturbed by social events followed by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, these do not prevent my 2019 cohort from sailing through our DBA journey.
Accessible professors and great learning partners facilitate spiral learning and "block" building. Complex business problems can be brought to school for exploring research-based solutions. My horizons are widened by the inspiring guided readings, workshops and seminars. The programme has brought about plenty of opportunities to experience different ideas and new perspectives. I have yet to showcase my study to address industry-wide business problems."
Listed Insurance Company
"CityU DBA is an exciting and intellectual challenging opportunity worth dreaming about, it channels one’s ambitions to consolidate their knowledge or address real business issues rigorously.
Throughout my career as a professional accountant and insurance practitioner, “managing risks” is the fundamental part of my job description. My role within the fields has varied, from managing a crisis to a listed general insurer. Riding on the tides of regulatory development, it allows me to do academic research in this area.
While recognizing DBA is a long journey, I am most grateful that I am not travelling on my own. There are learning partners who are enthusiastic and engaging in meaningful discussions beyond our areas of expertise – from blockchain to medicine; from urban design to investment. It broadens my horizons and fosters friendships of the good. This program has a lifetime value and I am looking forward to continuing this rewarding journey.”
BOA International Financial Group
"One of the most distinctive and valuable features of is its strong emphasis on applied research. Apart from the learning of essential research concepts and methodologies through classes and assignments, the thesis research under a dedicated supervisor, who in my case is a distinguished professor in the fields of AI and Big Data, is a fascinating study journey that has since deeply enticed and truly excited me. Perhaps the one factor that truly sets the CityU DBA ahead and apart, in my view, is the elite group of learning partners with diverse backgrounds and interests. The engaging and inspiring discussions inside and beyond the classroom have brought me knowledge and insight areas I have never been exposed to before, from angel fund investment leadership, from red wine business to Feng- study. These have not only broadened my research perspectives, but at the same time also enriched and stimulated my thoughts on the topics of focus. I very much look forward to continuing this refreshing and rewarding learning process the time to come."
Zurich Insurance Company Ltd.
"In 2018 I’ve decided to set foot in the new world of research by joining the prestigious Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program at CityU. The DBA program gives me the opportunity to solve real business problems using rigorous research methodologies.
As with any marathon, I’m going through ups and downs but couldn’t be happier with the decision I have made. I am really impressed with the program structure and the spiral learning concept, quality and competence of professors and university staff, and the experience of fellow Learning Partners. I’m looking forward to continuing this challenging but inspiring journey."
FILA China
“The CityU DBA journey is a fabulous experience I have not expected it from Day 1. Here are my experiences. The DBA journey makes you see in different insight of the management domains you have not experienced. It is accompanied by equipping yourself with digesting hundreds of journal papers. Then an amazing thing appears, you start to see business with a totally new acumen. You might even start to doubt your past business decisions based on “experiences” probably were not “comprehensive” and “rational” enough as you could recall. On many days, even though you have finished a section of thesis preparation and expected the following parts might get easier. It would not happen. Instead, you are surprisingly to find out the latter parts of thesis comes in even more difficult! Through the CityU DBA journey, you are about to enter an early stage of being an academician, building up a robust process cycle to refine/re-define/re-organize your management theories and ways of thinking. However, DBA journey is a solitary route. Luckily, in the CityU DBA, you are empowered with prominent professors, consultative supervisors, fun-and-warm-hearted learning partners, making your journey supportive and joyful enough. You are also likely to rewrite your work-life-balance into a new version of work-study-life balance.
Bon voyage!”