HKUST Digital MBA Becomes Gateway for Japanese Banker to Expand His Horizons in Finance

Masafumi Shimozu (DiMBA Intake 2023), a Japanese student who currently resides in Sydney Australia, turns to embark on a Digital MBA journey to advance his career in banking. 

The Choice to Pursue an MBA at HKUST 

To Masafumi, the benefits of his flexible course schedule became evident. It allowed him to take courses on the weekends without disrupting his work commitments. This flexibility also gave him the opportunity to pursue electives that could complement his career aspirations and work responsibilities. 

He noted a particular interest in courses related to blockchain, cryptocurrency, and information management. He felt these subjects would help elevate his knowledge in the fintech industry and digitalization more broadly. The ability to tailor his curriculum to his professional interests was a key advantage of his educational program. 

Additionally, the diverse student population and global viewpoints were another draw for Masafumi in choosing this program, specifically the Asia-centric student body at HKUST. He is also very eager to share his experiences as a banker living in Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia, but also wanted insights from fellow classmates on their perspectives on Asian business culture and contexts. The opportunity to learn from and exchange ideas with a globally diverse group was an important factor for Masafumi. 

Career Goals and Aspirations

Masafumi plans to leverage an MBA in helping him bridge the gap between being both a global business leader and knowledge in the fintech industry. He hopes to bring back the business skills acquired on the MBA program to his current workplace.  

Best Memory Yet 

The best part of the DiMBA Program so far for Masafumi has been the in-person and interactive experiences. As he describes it, "the in-person and interactive experience makes me motivated." During his on-campus visit, Masafumi was energized by the opportunity to meet his classmates face-to-face and engage in dynamic discussions. The vibrant campus environment and collaborative learning format has been a highlight, reinvigorating his passion for continuing his management education. Masafumi looks forward to further immersing himself in the program and tapping into the diverse perspectives of his peers to enhance his business acumen.