Singapore Management University (SMU) and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement to launch a joint Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programme — a landmark initiative that brings together two leading Asian institutions to redefine high-end management education.
The collaboration, established between SMU’s School of Accountancy (SOA) and CUHK-Shenzhen’s Shenzhen Institute of Data Economy (SIDE), aims to integrate the strengths of both universities to deliver an exceptional DBA experience that blends Chinese and Western business perspectives.
At the signing ceremony held at SMU, Professor Zhang Liandong, Dean of the School of Accountancy and Lee Kong Chian Professor of Accounting, and Professor Zhang Tianyu, Associate Dean of CUHK-Shenzhen’s Institute of Data Economy and Director of its DBA-EE Programme, formally signed the agreement. Senior faculty and administrators from both universities attended, including Professor Ai Chunrong, Associate Dean of CUHK-Shenzhen’s School of Economics and Management, and SMU representatives Professor Yue Heng, Director of the DBA Programmes, Associate Professor Lou Yun and Professor Wang Jiwei.
Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Zhang Liandong said the partnership reflects SMU’s commitment to advancing management education that bridges academic research and business practice.
“This collaboration builds a powerful bridge between Singapore and China — one that links research, innovation, and enterprise development across the region. The SMU-CUHK-SZ DBA programme will create meaningful impact for both business leaders and society,” he said.
The SMU–CUHK-Shenzhen DBA Programme will officially commence in Academic Year 2026/2027. Designed for senior executives and strategic entrepreneurs, the four-year, part-time programme will be delivered jointly in Singapore and Shenzhen.
The programme is built around three thematic pillars: technology-driven innovation, global strategy, and capital empowerment, and aims to cultivate thought leaders who can apply academic insight to real-world challenges. Participants will benefit from SMU’s strong foundation in research-led, practice-oriented education and CUHK-Shenzhen’s growing influence in the Greater Bay Area’s innovation economy.
Administered jointly by SMU’s School of Accountancy and CUHK-Shenzhen’s Institute of Data Economy, the DBA will be overseen by a Collaboration Committee with equal representation from both universities. Upon successful completion, participants will be conferred the Doctor of Business Administration degree by SMU.
Professor Zhang Tianyu said the partnership will bring new dynamism to both institutions and their stakeholders. “Together, SMU and CUHK-Shenzhen will develop an open, innovative, and globally connected model of doctoral education — one that fosters collaboration between academia, industry, and government.”
Applications for the first intake will open soon to entrepreneurs and senior managers with extensive leadership experience. The programme underscores SMU’s continuing efforts to advance cross-border management education and nurture a new generation of Asia-ready, globally minded business leaders.
