DBA in Emerging

Technologies

3 years | World-class faculty | Global immersions

in San Francisco, Singapore & India

SAN FRANCISCO
Contents
Welcome to the DBA in Emerging Technologies 02

About Golden Gate University 04

About upGrad 06

Program Highlights 07

World-class Faculty 09

Learning Path 11

Curriculum 12

Global Immersion 14

Admission Process 17
Welcome to the DBA in
Emerging Technologies
Crafted exclusively for leaders

The Doctor of Business Administration in Emerging Technologies is a first-of-its-kind, 3-year

doctoral program that provides the highest postgraduate qualification for working professionals.

This course is designed for industry leaders, CXOs, and high-achieving entrepreneurs who are
interested in the changes brought forth by generative AI. Businesses that can effectively
leverage the technology are likely to gain a significant competitive advantage in the future.

Participants start with application-based coursework comprising technical, business, and

research tracks that provide them with the confidence and skill set to help their organization take
a leadership position in applying Generative AI for business growth. They then will be
encouraged and guided to choose a thesis topic related to the problems and opportunities
offered by Generative AI to the organization/ business/ cause they want to transform. Thesis
workshops conducted by experienced faculty allow students to systematically explore, critically
analyze and robustly develop a scholarly investigation and thesis.

The three week-long global immersion sessions, woven seamlessly into the program, enable
learners to network, interact with thought leaders, and exchange ideas amongst their peer
group.

02
This DBA has one of the most
ambitious outcomes defined.

We train participants to assume

leadership roles in industry unlike
traditional DBAs whose goal is a B
School faculty position for its
graduates.

We support all participants either

publish a book, research paper or
file a patent based on their interest.

Upon successful completion, we

honour participants with adjunct
faculty positions so that they can
share their experience with future
cohorts of leaders

03
About Golden Gate
University
Located in the heart of San Francisco's GGU also has teaching locations in Silicon
financial and high-tech district, Golden Gate Valley and Seattle. With nearly 70,000
University (GGU) is a prestigious, private alumni, GGU was ranked #1 in the United
nonprofit university dedicated to States for working professionals for four
empowering working adults. With a strong consecutive years by Washington Monthly.
reputation for excellence, GGU offers
nationally renowned undergraduate and
graduate degrees as well as
comprehensive certificate programs.
Accreditations Membership
Founded in 1901, GGU is a leader in online
and Associations
education and has been enabling
individuals to achieve their professional
aspirations for nearly three decades now.
With a primary campus in San Francisco,

“
Generative AI models are changing the way we think about
machine intelligence, creativity and the world around us in
general. At GGU tech school, the faculty and researchers are
working on pushing the boundaries of this exciting
technology responsibly. We developed this experiential,
application-based DBA program with the goal to provide the
right tools and skillsets to business leaders who want to
harness the true potential of this technology.

Dr. Venkatesh Sunkad | Dean, GGU Insofe Institute of Technology

04
Empowering Minds in the
Epicenter of Innovation,
San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO

05
About
Online education is a fundamental empowering business leaders to stay
disruption that will have a far-reaching ahead of the disruptive innovation curve
impact. upGrad was founded taking this that this new technology is expected to
into consideration. upGrad is an online spawn. The globally renowned faculty
education platform to help individuals comes with an average of 15+ years of
develop their professional potential in experience. This course is designed for
the most engaging learning environment. industry leaders, CXOs, and high-achieving
Since its inception, upGrad has entrepreneurs who already have a sound
delivered programs by collaborating understanding of their respective domains
with universities across the world but want to become thought leaders in how
including LJMU, IIIT Bangalore, and generative AI will impact and transform
Deakin Business School, Duke CE, their fields. We are looking for only 30
among others. And it doesn’t end there. outstanding individuals who have the
ambition and perseverance to become a
upGrad, in collaboration with Golden Gate change-maker leveraging the power of
University, San Francisco, U.S.A. is excited Generative AI.
to offer a first-of-its-kind, Doctor of Business
Administration in Emerging Technologies
aimed at

Ronnie Screwvala
Chairman & Co-Founder, upGrad

Generative AI is going to have a profound impact on

the workplaces of tomorrow. It will create
opportunities and threats for business leaders across
industries. I am very excited to announce the launch
of this unique DBA program curated by Golden Gate
University and upGrad to enable cutting-edge
research on this new technology and how it impacts
businesses varying from law to finance to medicine
and others.

06
Program Highlights
Highly balanced coursework in
technology, business management, and research methods

World-renowned faculty with

80+ years of collective teaching experience, 15+ patents,
5 AI and ML products patented, and 125+ published papers
in top research journals

3 week-long Global immersions in

San Francisco, Singapore (tentative), and Mumbai/Bangalore

Opportunity to
become an adjunct faculty member of GGU

Our faculty will help you achieve one of the three

outcomes:
• Publishing in top research journals
• Writing and publishing a book based on your thesis
findings

Dr.
Add a Dr. in front of your name
with a doctorate awarded by GGU

07
 17

A Faculty that practices

what it teaches
Learn from only the best and
the brightest

80+
years of collective
experience

Worked with Philips, Siemens, DRDO,

Vodafone, IBM previously and

15+
consulted with fortune 500 companies.

successful patents

Scholars of elite institutions across the

globe - IISC, IIT, Carnegie Mellon,
Johns Hopkins, University of Texas,

125+ University of Colorado, Columbia

University, University of London
papers authored in
top research journals

Cross-functional expertise - IOT, AI/ML,

Blockchain, Trading, Business

Prolific entrepreneurs -
sharing real-life lessons
from experience

08
World-class Faculty
We have gathered a cross-disciplinary team of faculty who are researchers,
consultants, authors, and experienced practitioners. They stand at the
forefront of their disciplines and are often tapped by top executives for
consultative advice. They’re dedicated to creating the most rewarding learning
experiences and will be readily accessible for informal conversations
throughout the program.

Dr. Dakshinamurthy V Kolluru

• B.E. from NIT Trichy, India and M.S. and Ph.D. from
Carnegie Mellon University, USA
• 20+ years of experience
• Areas of Expertise: ML, Optimization, Artificial Neural
Networks, Deep Learning, Text Mining, Mathematical
Algorithms, Pattern Extraction

Dr. Venkatesh Sunkad

• Ph.D. from the University of Colorado, USA | M.S from
the University of Texas at Arlington, USA
• 20+ years of experience
• Areas of Expertise: IOT, Systems Architecture,
Network Security, Machine Learning, IT Strategy

09
Dr. Sreerama K. Murthy
• Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University, USA | M.Tech.
from IIT Madras, India
• 20+ years of experience
• Areas of Expertise: Machine Learning, AI-driven
Digital Transformation, Intelligent Data
Infrastructures, Fintech, Healthcare & Media
Analytics

Dr. Anand Jayaraman

• Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Pittsburgh,
USA | B.Tech. from IIT Bombay, India
• 20+ years of experience
• Areas of Expertise: Data Analytics, Machine Learning,
Retail Forecasting, Quantitative Model Building, Time
Series Analysis, Derivatives Trading, Futures Trading

Dr. Praphul Chandra

• Ph.D. from Indian Institute of Science, India | PG
Diploma from University of London, U.K.| M.S. from
Columbia University, USA
• 20+ years of experience
• Areas of Expertise: Blockchain Technologies, Data
Analytics, Machine Learning, Systems, Algorithms &
Game Theory

10
Learning Path
Your DBA Journey
• 7 foundational courses
Year 1
• Case-based projects
Build your
base

GLOBAL IMMERSION 1
• Thesis Development
Year 2
Workshops every 2 weeks
Begin your
• Special panel sessions for
research
one-on-one guidance
• Thesis Topic Defense

GLOBAL IMMERSION 2
• Thesis Development
Year 3
Workshops every 2 weeks
Earn your
• Special panel sessions for
Doctorate
one-on-one guidance
• Final Dissertation Defense

GLOBAL IMMERSION 3

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Detailed Curriculum
Year 1: Foundational Phase (28 Credits)

Foundation Course 1: Teaches advanced research and

Doctoral Research Methods ethics for doctoral-level writing
and Analysis and action research. It covers
both quantitative (surveys,
experiments, stats) & qualitative
(interviews, focus groups, case
studies) methods, focusing on
improving writing and research
skills.

Hands-on AI learning for

Course 2: innovation in various fields,
Applied AI Innovation covering fundamentals, ethics,
and practical implementation,
with a focus on AI-based
innovation, patents, and product
development.

Concentration Course 3: Learn decision modelling,

Foundations of Machine machine learning and its
Learning and AI application, data visualization
and story-telling. Understand
supervised learning,
unsupervised learning and
learning theory (bias/variance
trade offs).

Course 4: Learn advanced techniques in AI

Deep Learning and its and ML to deal with images, text
Variants using auto encoders, CNNs,
RNNs, Seq2Seq models
Transformers and other state of
the art techniques

12
 Course 5: Learn to use in-house models vs.
Generative AI Using using pre-trained models on
Pre-Trained Models public data based on business
requirements. Gain conceptual
understanding of Large Language
Models (LLMs,) such as GPT and
others, image generators followed
by other techniques

Course 6: Shift from in-house model training

AI Project Design and to using pre-trained models on
Execution public data. Distinguish between
the two and make
business-focused decisions. The
course includes hands-on
activities and covers Large

Course 7: Covers critical business aspects of

Responsible AI AI, including ethics and
explainability. It addresses ethical
and social concerns, promoting
fair and accountable AI usage. It
also explores the future of work
and the responsible use of AI,

Dissertation Course 8: Allows students to develop a

Topic Proposal doctoral dissertation research
topic, including a comprehensive
proposal that outlines the topic's
significance, context, literature
review, data, and methodology.

Course 9: Learners present the initial three

Proposal Defense chapters of their doctoral
dissertation proposal, including
introduction, literature review, and
research design. Emphasis is on
clarity, context, comprehensive
literature review, and a defined

13
 Enables students to complete a
Course 10:
doctoral dissertation research
Completion and
project that contributes to their
Approval by
field. After proposal approval,
Committee
students conduct scholarly
research, guided by their mentor,
culminating in a well-written
dissertation.
Each course is followed by a project-based assessment.

Years 2 And 3: Research Phase (28 Credits)

Once you have developed a firm understanding of the theoretical concepts, you will now
start working on earning your doctorate over the next 2 years.

Thesis Development Workshops

These biweekly workshops with the faculty will help you plan your approach, topic
selection, organization, and presentation of your final dissertation.

Thesis Review Committee

Every 4 months, you will have a one-on-one session with the Thesis Review Committee.
These sessions will help you evaluate your progress and help with any queries related to
your dissertation.

Key Milestones
Dissertation Topic Defense - By The End Of Year 2
Final Dissertation Defense - By The End Of Year 3

14
Global Leadership
Immersions
Singapore

San Francisco
15
A tentative
We schedule
believe in creating of the that
an ecosystem immersion
your experience by incorporating

fosters the exchange of ideas and culture. engaging panel discussions with other

Each year of the DBA will culminate in a industry leaders, one-on-one sessions with

week-long immersion, at which time you faculty to guide you in selecting a relevant

will travel to the specified location and thesis outcome, and interactive activities to

meet in person with your faculty and peers. promote peer camaraderie.

The immersion is designed to maximize

Each of the immersions will take place in a distinct global

center of influence and innovation:

1. Mumbai (Immersion 1),

2. Singapore (Tentative) (Immersion 2),
3. and San Francisco (Immersion 3).

San Francisco

Mumbai
Singapore

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 1 1. Introduction
Day 2. Panel discussion with
local industry leaders

Presentations by 2
learners on pre-chosen Day
topics

3 1. Presentations by learners
Day (contd. From D2)
2. Common session on how
to select a thesis outcome

One-on-one guidance
session on thesis
4
Day
outcomes - To patent
or publish

5 Interactive community-
Day
building activities

1. This is only an indicative itinerary. The actual number of days of each immersion will
be confirmed closer to the immersion date.
2. Participants are responsible for booking their own flights accommodation and arranging
the necessary visas. You will be informed well in advance of the schedule so that you
can plan accordingly. All related costs are to be borne by the participants.
3. In case of VISA rejection, there will be no refund of the program fee

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Enrollment Details
Program Start Date Duration
Please visit our website 36 months
for more details

Program Fees Eligibility

Please visit our website Valid Bachelor’s degree
for more details with minimum 10 years of
experience. Candidates with
Disclaimer : Flight tickets + accommodation less than 10 years of
+visa charges for the global immersions experience but exceptional
are not included in the Program fees profiles and outstanding
leadership background may
also apply.

Application Process

1 - Fill 2 - Submit 3 - Panel will

an application an SOP review application

4 - Application 5 - Pay block 6 - Receive

approved amount admission

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 upgrad.com

For further details, contact

+44 1205 632739, [email protected] - Europe, Middle East and Africa

+1 (240) 719 6120, [email protected] - North and South America

+65 6232 6730, [email protected] - Asia Pacific except India

+84 28 7300 8884, [email protected] - Vietnam

We are available 24*7