JOHOR BAHRU, 16th Nov. -“Balancing a business while pursuing my studies was certainly challenging, but it is achievable—and I am living proof of that,” said Dr. Kit Yu Heng, recipient of the best postgraduate student award and a graduate with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Electrical Engineering, focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).
Dr. Kit began his entrepreneurial journey in his third year of studying Electrical Engineering at UTM. Despite managing both his studies and work, he successfully completed his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering with First Class honours. He is the founder of Digitor, an online company that offers digital marketing and e-commerce services.
Additionally, since 2020, he has been a “Lazada Certified Senior Trainer” in Malaysia, a distinction held by only 14 trainers nationwide, with just four achieving the title of “Senior Trainer.” Dr. Kit is also the founder of Edutechno Academy, which provides corporate training to thousands of students.
Dr. Kit’s journey showcases the power of perseverance. His interest in business began during his student days, and after graduating, he received a fast-track PhD offer at UTM. His determination to pursue higher education and become the first PhD holder in his family motivated him to balance his studies with his business.
“One of the greatest challenges was managing my limited time to juggle both my business and research simultaneously,” Dr. Kit shared. To ensure steady progress in both areas, he developed a unique and effective structured approach centered on setting clear tasks and deadlines.
He created a comprehensive task list, prioritizing each item by urgency and importance, which helped him focus on what needed to be accomplished first. This strategy, born out of necessity, enabled Dr. Kit to keep both his business and PhD on track.
Currently, Dr. Kit is focused on expanding his business virtually. “Digitor will continue to grow rapidly while delivering excellent service to our clients. We are exploring artificial intelligence (AI) software that can assist sellers of all sizes in the future. At Edutechno Academy, we are committed to providing training for students and sellers, equipping them with up-to-date knowledge in marketing strategies to ensure their success in the evolving digital landscape,” Dr. Kit stated when asked about the future of Digitor and Edutechno Academy.
Dr. Kit Yu Heng is very grateful for the achievements he has attained. He expressed gratitude towards his family, supervisors, team, and business partners. “Thank you to my family, who have been incredibly supportive of my ambitions and provided motivation. I am deeply grateful to my primary supervisor, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Musa Mohd Mokji, for his continuous guidance throughout my PhD journey. He offered valuable insights and suggestions to enhance my research and always understood my dual commitments. I also appreciate my second supervisor, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zaid Omar, thank you for your mentorship and recommendations. Lastly, I extend my appreciation to my dedicated team, who ensure the smooth running of our business in my absence, and to my business partners who consistently offer support and advice during challenging times,” said Dr. Kit.
“Do what you are passionate about, and most importantly, never give up. A PhD journey is undoubtedly challenging, but you should start by setting a clear, overarching objective. Break that larger goal down into smaller, manageable steps, and tackle them one at a time. Seek mentors or individuals who can guide you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions—but always explore possible solutions first. You might discover the answers on your own,” Dr. Kit encouraged those who are facing the challenge of managing both a business and a PhD simultaneously.
To Dr. Kit Yu Heng: Keep pushing beyond limits and serve as an excellent role model for our nation. UTM is proud to have you as an alumnus.