Student Spotlight

Ka Man (Cyrus) Tong

Hong Kong, China

Charting Compliance & Innovation Across Global Markets

Ka Man (Cyrus) Tong (MBA '18, BBA '08) has built a reputation as one of Hong Kong's foremost voices in fintech compliance. From his early career in Hong Kong's public sector to becoming one of the "Top 10 Chief Compliance Officers in Hong Kong – 2024" (CEO Insights Asia), Cyrus's journey reflects on what it means to align learning with purpose. And at the center of it all stands the University of Management and Technology (UMT).

Cyrus's relationship with UMT began in 2007 when he enrolled in the BBA program. He chose UMT due to three major reasons: flexibility for professionals, global perspectives, and industry relevant skills. "The hybrid learning model allowed me to balance my career in fintech leadership while pursuing academic growth," Cyrus reflected. "The courses emphasized cross-cultural business strategies, which allowed directly with my work across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Not only that, but the program's focus on emerging trends in fintech, risk management, and regulatory innovation equipped me with cutting-edge frameworks to solve real-world challenges."

A decade later, Cyrus returned to UMT to pursue his MBA. At the time, he was leading compliance efforts at Ping Pong, a rising force in the fintech space. "UMT's MBA transformed my leadership approach. The program's focus on ethical decision-making and human-centric culture directly influenced my work at Ping Pong, where I built compliance systems that prioritize both regulation and employee empowerment." Post-MBA, Cyrus was recognized as one of the "Top 10 Influential People in Compliance to Watch in 2024" (CIO Views, 2024) for his initiatives that reduced operational risks by 40% while scaling global operations.

So why UMT, again and again? Cyrus highlighted three spaces: practical curriculum, UMT's peer network, and the immediate applicability of the program. "Case studies on fintech disruption and compliance dilemmas mirrored real challenges I faced professionally. I also enjoyed collaborating with professionals from diverse industries – banking, tech, and logistics. Their perspectives enriched my learning," Cyrus reflected. "Additionally, the program's focus on real-world tools allowed me to implement classroom concepts directly into my work, such as changing management frameworks, and I was able to create a symbiotic loop between study and practice.”

During his time at UMT, Cyrus didn’t just study – he led. He led a student-driven research project on AI-driven compliance tools, later prototyped at TNG FinTech Group to automate transaction monitoring. He also organized a "FinTech Compliance Workshop" with students from The University of Hong Kong and The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, inviting regulators and industry leaders, to create an initiative that strengthened his public speaking and stakeholder management skills.

But even with all the accolades and achievements, Cyrus is quick to acknowledge that the path required intention. "I learned to prioritize the deep work," he admitted. "I had to block off early mornings and late evenings. I leaned into faculty feedback and created a feedback loop between class and career. That's how I stayed on track."

"UMT didn't just award degrees – it cultivated a mindset of 'compliant innovation'. Today, I mentor UMT students aspiring to bridge compliance and technology, paying forward the support I received. My journey from the BBA to the MBA mirror's UMT's ethos: evolve continuously, lead ethically, and empower others."


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