Hei Sing (John)
Wong
DBA ‘26
Hong Kong, China
Unlocking an Elevated Future with UMT’s Doctoral Program
Dr. Hei Sing (John) Wong (DBA ’26) has spent much of his career navigating the fast-paced world of maritime operations, where schedules can change in an instant and the work rarely stops. After ten years in the ship agency business, he wanted to take a step back, look at the bigger picture, and better understand the challenges facing the industry. Earning a doctorate while managing such a demanding career wasn’t easy, but the flexibility of the University of Management and Technology (UMT) gave him the opportunity to keep working while pursuing a goal that mattered deeply to him.
John’s unique path to the maritime industry began with a deep foundation in the humanities and behavioral sciences. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Hong Kong (HKU), along with an Advanced Certificate in Psychology and a Postgraduate Certificate in Translation from HKU SPACE. Driven by a desire to bridge high-level theory with hardcore frontline realities, he later chose to immerse himself in the technical maritime world, earning a Higher Diploma in Maritime Studies from the Maritime Services Training Institute (MSTI) with Merit, followed by three years at sea as a Deck Cadet Officer on both ocean-going and local vessels. This rare combination of profound language skills, organizational psychology, and direct seagoing practice would later shape his approach to one of the logistics sector's most pressing challenges.
As John saw it, the maritime industry’s shortage of experienced professionals called for more than a traditional business or economic explanation. He wanted to understand the people behind the problem: what motivates them, how organizations develop talent, and why valuable experience can be difficult to replace.
That curiosity became the focus of his doctoral research at UMT. Drawing on his background in psychology and translation, John conducted qualitative interviews with shipowners and other industry stakeholders to explore the experience gap and its implications for Hong Kong’s role as an international shipping center. “My background helped me look at the talent shortage from a different perspective,” John explained. “I wanted to understand not just the business challenges, but also the human and organizational factors behind them. Being able to communicate with stakeholders and really listen to their experiences helped me uncover insights that could lead to practical solutions.”
Balancing doctoral research with a career in ship agency operations required patience, commitment, and a program that could accommodate the realities of his work. For John, UMT’s flexibility made pursuing his doctorate possible and was the definitive catalyst that empowered him to achieve a profound "Unity of Knowledge and Action" (知行合一). He could continue meeting his professional responsibilities while dedicating time to his research and academic development. Just as important was the guidance he received from his dissertation supervisors, who supported him throughout the process. “My supervisors made a real difference in my journey,” John said. “Their guidance helped me work through the challenges of my research and connect what I was learning with the realities of the maritime industry. The experience has changed the way I think about my work and the contribution I can make.”
Earning his Doctor of Business Administration in 2026 represents a significant milestone in a career shaped by practical experience and a desire to keep learning. His journey also reflects the value of bringing different disciplines together to tackle complex problems—combining industry knowledge with research, psychology, and communication to see challenges from a broader perspective.
John hopes his experience will encourage others who are considering a doctoral degree while balancing demanding careers and personal responsibilities. He knows the journey takes time and that progress often comes one step at a time. “Research requires patience, and there will be times when the process feels challenging,” he shared. “But I’ve learned that it’s worth staying with it. Keep asking questions, remain open to learning, and use what you discover to make a meaningful difference.”
"Thanks to UMT’s flexible, online classes, I was able to balance my highly demanding 24/7 frontline operations with my doctoral studies. With an unpredictable yet strategic role, having a self-paced program was an absolute must. I would not have been able to pursue higher education without UMT’s flexibility and support: thank you, UMT!”