City University of Hong Kong’s DBA Program Bridges Theory and Practice for Senior Executives
HONG KONG – In an increasingly complex business landscape, the City University of Hong Kong (CityU) is offering a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program designed to equip senior executives with the research skills and analytical insights needed to tackle real-world challenges. The program, meticulously structured to connect academic theory with practical application, has gained recognition for its rigorous standards and focus on impactful research.
Professor Muammer Ozer, Director of the DBA program, emphasizes the program’s appeal to leaders seeking a deeper understanding of complex issues than a traditional taught program might offer. “A PhD can feel too academic for someone who intends to stay in business, so the DBA stays close to practice while keeping doctoral rigour,” he says.
The program attracts executives grappling with issues like talent retention, leadership development, and the integration of artificial intelligence. A key tenet of the program is cohort diversity, ensuring discussions aren’t limited by the assumptions of a single industry. “We don’t want to see all the bankers or all the IT people,” Ozer explained. “Diversity” is key, with candidates tackling a range of problems.
The DBA program acknowledges the growing role of AI, but stresses the importance of critical thinking and original research. While AI can quickly generate plausible answers, Ozer points out it lacks the context of ongoing class discussions and individual research designs. “The hard part is no longer retrieval,” he says, emphasizing the need to link any AI-generated response back to a student’s specific research.
The program itself combines coursework with a substantial, practice-oriented thesis, typically completed over three to six years. Teaching is structured around weekend sessions, designed to respect the time commitments of working executives. Core methodology courses are delivered over the first two years, supported by workshops that continue throughout the thesis phase.
A unique aspect of the CityU DBA is its “spiral learning model,” where candidates receive regular feedback at each stage of their research, rather than waiting for a final assessment. This iterative approach, coupled with limited class sizes, allows for one-to-one supervision and ensures a high standard of quality.
Beyond the academic benefits, the program fosters a strong sense of community. Cohorts begin with a residential workshop outside of Hong Kong, designed to build relationships and trust. These connections often extend beyond graduation, leading to business partnerships and ongoing collaboration.
Ozer notes that graduates of the program are often highly visible in their fields, sharing their knowledge and contributing to both the business community and society at large. Some alumni even transition into consulting or teaching roles after retirement, driven by a desire to pass on their expertise to the next generation.
The CityU DBA program, as highlighted in the South China Morning Post, aims to cultivate not just qualified executives, but true knowledge creators.
