Hoping to keep abreast of the latest business trends and prepare for a second career in academia after retirement, Humphrey Leung Kwong-wai, group CEO of tech firm Solomon Systech, went back to school by enrolling in the doctor of business administration programme at PolyU.

"New technologies and models have revolutionised the way we do business. I need to learn, share and create new knowledge that helps me tackle new challenges," says Leung, who graduated last year.

Professor Judy Tsui, the university's vice-president for international and executive education and director of the graduate school of business, says the programme is designed to integrate academic study and management practice in a way which will form a significant part of an individual's career.

Leung says: "I treasure the time I spent in class. I learned a lot from the professors and my classmates, and realised how to analyse one subject from different angles."

Students must attend two residential workshops. The first is a four-day session at the start of the course, while a research workshop allows students to present their thesis proposals after they have finished all the taught subjects.

Leung says research for the thesis requires the use of information technology tools. "I collected useful sample data and verified my theories statistically before turning my theories into useful applications."

The programme is offered part-time and takes three years to complete. Applicants are required to have a master's preferably in a business-related area and at least eight years of managerial experience at a senior level.