Tak Cheong (Derek) Larm, BSEM ‘23, MBA ‘21, BBA ‘19

Derek Larm

BSEM ‘23
MBA ‘21
BBA’19

Hong Kong, China

From “Yet to Be Refined” to Life-Long Learner

Nowadays in Hong Kong, many working professionals hesitate to pursue further education due to advancing age or a modest starting point. However, 62-year-old Derek Larm (BSEM ’23, MBA ’21, and BBA ‘19) has dedicated himself to lifelong learning through an intensive eight-year journey of continuous higher education. Currently serving as a building supervisor cum workplace psychology management officer, Derek is also a Certified Coaching Psychology Consultant. 

Demonstrating his commitment to professional excellence, he holds memberships in various prestigious international institutions, including serving as an International Member of the American Psychological Association (APA) USA, a member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) UK, and a Fellow of the Institute of Administrative Management (IAM) UK. 

"It was by pure happenstance that I met a key mentor who marked a turning point in my life. It was Professor Kai Ming Yeung (Buddy Sir) who led me to the bright path of university education,” Derek shared. 

Thanks to the University of Management and Technology’s (UMT) flexible online learning system, Derek was able to overcome the scheduling constraints faced by working professionals and successfully embark on an extraordinary academic journey. Reflecting on his starting point over 40 years ago, Derek openly admits he never imagined himself as an all-star student. After completing his secondary school studies in 1982, he entered the workforce. Because his examination results were far from satisfactory, his early career remained  modest, working in entry-level positions. Upon leaving school, one of his teachers wrote an eight-word evaluation on his report card: “good at learning, yet to be refined.” 

“Those words planted a deep seed in my heart,” Derek reflects. “Even though the struggles of early adult life delayed my higher education, my thirst for knowledge never faded.” By leveraging his accredited UMT degrees as a solid academic foundation and combining them with his diverse professional capacities, Derek successfully transformed his academic background and practical experience into reputable international credentials and honorary awards. Notably, he was jointly awarded the prestigious title of Honorary Academician by QAHE (USA) & Pebble Hills University (USA) in recognition of his exceptional achievements and contributions across multiple fields. He has proven to the industry that a robust degree serves as the ultimate stepping-stone to global professional status. 

His eight-year self-financed investment in education has also caused Derek to reflect deeply on other aspects of his life. Though he is single, he expresses complete certainty in his life choices. “Pursuing higher education is very much like marriage—it requires mutual promises and acceptance. Dedicating the necessary time is a prerequisite that has allowed me to savor and reflect on every single page of my books with a refined and sophisticated taste. By making reading a daily habit, I hope to promote a culture of literacy and share a glimpse of this passion with the world." 

"I can see past the conventional expectations of the public because I have the firm courage to grow quietly, serving as a positive role model for those who follow. External validation from the crowd is secondary; what matters is that I and my conferring universities recognize it. That personal transformation is what lightens my life," Derek shared. 

Today, Derek remains highly active in his professional role and consistently maintains his Continuous Professional Development (CPD). He is no longer the youth described by his secondary school teacher as “yet to be refined,” but a cross-disciplinary specialist who truly lives by his motto: "be sharp in how you conduct your life, and be even sharper in how you pursue your studies." 

“UMT has outstanding students, and I am proud to be one of them. I am especially honored to have been elected as a member of the International Honor Society Delta Epsilon Tau by the UMT Kappa of Virginia Chapter," Derek shares proudly. His journey stands as definitive proof that through self-improvement, no matter where your starting point lies, education has the potential to add brilliance to your life. 

"Never abandon your studies. One must pursue education and never stop striving for self-improvement! It matters not your age or your starting academic background. I have experienced many low tides in my life, but I deeply believe that with immersion in your studies and persistence, you will achieve a breakthrough in the foreseeable future. As long as you are willing to invest the time and effort, a university degree is well within your reach—and it can completely change your destiny."