Hailing from Japan, our Digital MBA Intake 2023 student Satoshi Nonaka (Justin) is a seasoned professional embarking on an online MBA journey alongside his senior-level leadership role in Silicon Valley. As a senior-level leader, he currently oversees strategic partnerships between insurance and innovative startups, spearheading these initiatives under the venture capital arm of the MS&AD Group. Facing the challenge of pinpointing promising startups, he has chosen to enhance his hands-on business and technology expertise with a comprehensive business education.
Why HKUST's Digital MBA Program
Justin has reached a point in his career where he is eager to tackle new challenges and explore avenues for growth within the insurance and technology landscape. He explains that pursuing an MBA will empower him to approach these high-level strategic decisions with an enhanced understanding of business fundamentals, providing a foundation to judge which startups have potential and are truly innovative.
To find a top-notch program that offers the specific coursework he was seeking, Justin came across the Digital MBA (DiMBA) at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). Ranked #1 in Asia by Bloomberg Businessweek, the HKUST DiMBA program is taught by over 150 distinguished scholars and industry experts from 25+ countries, bringing diverse perspectives and extensive research expertise.
With his extensive experience navigating the fast-paced world of Silicon Valley, Justin is poised to bring a unique perspective to the DiMBA program. His classmates can look forward to learning from his real-world insights and proven track record of success in the corporate realm.
The beauty of Justin pursuing Digital MBA is the ability to immediately apply what he' has learnt in the classroom to his current role. By studying and working concurrently, he can adapt new skills and knowledge to his day-to-day responsibilities in real-time. This symbiotic relationship between the academic and professional worlds will accelerate Justin's growth and ability to drive impact within his organization.
HKUST Digital MBA vs. Conventional online program
The HKUST Digital MBA program stands out from conventional online MBA programs through its blended learning approach and mandatory in-person components. This blended learning model provides students with the flexibility of online learning combined with valuable face-to-face experiences.
A key differentiator is the program's curriculum structure, which is comprised of over 50% electives. This allows students to customize their learning path and take courses that best align with their career goals and interests. Furthermore, students have the option to enroll in in-person electives, enabling them to learn alongside participants in HKUST's full-time and part-time on-campus MBA programs.
In addition, all Digital MBA students are required to attend an on-campus Immersion Week. This serves as a critical kickoff to the program, facilitating cohort bonding, skills development through workshops and experiential learning, company site visits, and networking with alumni and current students.
This blend of online study and mandatory in-person engagement sets the HKUST Digital MBA apart from more traditional fully online MBA programs. It provides working professionals with the flexibility of an online format coupled with high-touch, interactive experiences to enhance learning and professional development.
Justin's best memory from Immersion Week was the chance to meet his fellow classmates, bonding over team building activities, intensive workshop. The chance to meet on campus "made him feel like a HKUST student, giving him motivation and pride".
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