"Having considered both a PhD and a DBA, I find the DBA programme more appropriate and relevant for a senior executive. It provides a clear structure and guidance in the intended research with personal support to facilitate the research process.

The CityU DBA programme gives me the opportunity to study topics related to my work in advising our clients on R&D globalization strategies. It will allow me to gain a better understanding of the factors that impact future R&D extension and effectiveness. The programme provides an inspiring environment in which participants from diverse backgrounds contribute to discussions, offering different views and their rich experience."

"I view my DBA studies as a most treasured learning experience. Outstanding scholars, excellent learning partners and the multicultural atmosphere make it most enjoyable. No matter what style of teaching, workshop or CEO Forum, I always benefit greatly.

The programme artfully integrates academic rigour and practical relevance. It’s such a blessing to be trained to be balanced, not only in my thinking, but also in my work. It helps me to develop deeper insight into life, how to share more and to give more. All these things add to the fulfilment of my personal goals and values, and make this programme exceptional. "

"The life of a part-time postgraduate student is tough, but I enjoy it. My study is an important source of mental stimulation and exposure to a wider and more varied world that is different from my daily work.

Attending lectures and exchanging ideas with people of different backgrounds always inspire me. During my periods of further study, both my mind and scope of knowledge have been broadened, and I have also learned about solutions to business problems from books, professors and my classmates."

"I have been working in the IT industry for more than 20 years since I obtained my Master’s degree in the US. My experience ranges from managing the Asia Pacific and Greater China business for large US software vendors to running internal IT functions for multinational companies. Currently, I am managing a regional IT consultancy division in HSBC Asia Pacific. Throughout my career, I often share my management, business and IT experience with business executives and IT practitioners through universities, trade and professional associations in Hong Kong, China and the US. In order to further strengthen my consultancy, training and research abilities, I decided to join a DBA programme. After a detailed study on the DBA programmes available in Greater China, I had chosen the CityU DBA programme.

I am very glad and proud of being one of the CityU DBA students. The most valuable asset of the CityU DBA programme is really people. The professors and the supporting staff of CityU DBA programme are helpful and professional while my classmates are friendly and supportive. In addition, DBA Community (DBAC), which is a CityU DBA student club with members from all intakes, has been providing us a helpful and convenient platform to learn and share best practices in doing research among our classmates across all intakes. DBAC often organises useful networking activities to connect us with business leaders and leading researchers. Besides a wide range of elective courses, executive sharing workshops, the "Spiral" learning approach, visits to successful companies around the world, and summer programme in the UC Berkeley, are other effective and dynamic learning arrangement here that really attracted me and many of my classmates to join this programme. DBA study is a few years’ journey. With the friendly and supportive network of people in the CityU and the innovative learning approach, I am confident that we can make it through and become a world-class DBA graduate at the end of this journey."

"Taking DBA at City University is another life experience. It is a journey to broaden my global vision, to cultivate creativity, to develop academic research skill, and to nurture a new network community. The gain is both professional and personal.

Interacting with learning partners is the integral part of this journey. This elite group always inspires me in viewing business problems in a different perspective. On the other hand, we have fun when we are outside the classroom. The study is not easy at all but with the support and encouragement, the learning journey is enjoyable. Definitely, I will share this exceptional experience with other people for years to come."

"This is a terrific learning journey that I will always treasure. Attending the globalized CityU DBA programme is like partaking an international feast of knowledge. My analytical skills and visions are so stretched from the courses, seminars, workshops and forums.  Learning in the DBA programme is surely one of the top priority pursuits in my life. The values that I have received, including the dynamic methodologies and techniques that I have learned, are significant. The new approach in developing innovative business models and effective managerial strategies that I have been able to apply in my job has led to a new record of success and has won high recognition in my organization. The unique mentor system in the programme also delivers high benefits in academic rigor and empirical relevance."

"As a practitioner in the consumer products business for the past 24 years, it has always been my ambition to verify my learning with academic rigor. In the past 5 years, I have given myself numerous excuses to delay any action to further my academic learning until I read the DBA advertisement two years ago. I am glad that I have taken action eventually in 2008.

CityU’s DBA programme gives me a good balance between relevance and rigor. The interaction with our professors and learning partners enriches my knowledge and exposure. It does not only refresh what I have learned from my MBA and corporate training courses, it frequently inspires me with new perspectives. I am looking forward to spending a few years of quality time on this programme which I am sure will benefit me for the rest of my life – both personal and career."

"My undergraduate degree is from Princeton and my MBA is from Harvard. I am quite used to a high level of students and professors. The CityU DBA faculty and fellow students are inspiring. I am impressed and challenged by the atmosphere of excellence of the CityU DBA experience.

I am always looking forward to each weekend of classes and to the interesting comments and perspectives from my classmates, professors and from my thesis advisor.

The spirit and cooperation of all aspects of the CityU DBA "experience" is positive, challenging and user friendly. I recommend it to all senior executives who wish to make an academic contribution to their industry and who wish to receive a serious positive intellectual challenge in the process."

"Time really flies; it is now two years since I joined the DBA programme. Similar to most of my fellow 2006 learning partners, I have completed all of the coursework, attended the second residential trip and successfully passed the defence of my research proposal. I am currently collecting data to write my research thesis, which really involves putting what I have learned into action. I can tell you that it is fun, but not at all easy.

Everyone says that the researcher is a ‘lonely wolf’. In the past, I would have agreed, but I now have a different view. I have found that the DBA community provides me with the feeling that I belong to a large community of business and academic experts. These experts are always open to me; I can talk to them to share my challenges, to seek their advice and to request assistance. This is really helpful and encouraging. I must also say that my family has provided me with a lot of support during the past two years and has always been supportive of my decision to pursue this programme. I really have no excuse not to work hard to complete my research thesis."

"For a busy senior executive, studying part-time for a doctoral degree requires significant dedication and commitment, both in terms of time and finance. What is the driving force behind it? The desire to pursue knowledge! By combining academic rigor and business relevance, the CityU DBA programme helps senior executives to advance in knowledge and practice through rigorous applied research. I am looking to consolidate my experience through the DBA research process and contribute to the advancement of professional practice.

The classroom is not just a classroom! It’s a place for discussion and exchanging ideas with elite learning partners. The passion of my learning partners to pursue knowledge encourages me to face the challenge. Studying in this prestigious DBA programme is a highly rewarding learning experience, and I am enjoying the learning journey."

People said "You can be the top if you work with the tops."  I will modify this conversation slightly.  "You will be the top if you work with the tops who want to be topper." 

Our DBA programme provides you this chance.  Every learning partner is passionate to further sharpen themselves even though all of them have been very successful in their professions for years.

To maximise the benefit of learning, you cannot just work on your own. The CityU DBA programme offers an excellent platform for me to exchange ideas with my experienced learning partners from different backgrounds. I appreciate very much listening to their views and why they value their perspectives which are different from me. The learning environment stimulates and inspires me to think further. New knowledge is created in this situation by benchmarking, mutual questioning and self-reflection. That is what I want, so I can raise the bar for myself.

If you want to be topper, please do not hesitate to join us!"