CUHK
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The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has approved the appointment of Professor Hector Sun-on Chan, Professor in the School of Biomedical Sciences and Head of New Asia College, as Associate Vice-President (Education) on a concurrent basis for three years, with effect from 1 August 2022.

Professor Chan will assist Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Isabella Wai-yin Poon in enhancing the quality of teaching and learning at the University.  He will play an active part in strengthening entrepreneurship in education as well as ensuring CUHK remains a destination of choice for high-quality students. As Associate Vice-President and Head of New Asia College, Professor Chan will help further develop the unique collegiate education system that distinguishes CUHK from its peers.

Professor Chan said, “CUHK is a world-leading research institution. It is my greatest honour to serve my alma mater and to nurture the younger generations. To place students at the centre of our work and provide them with the best learning and research environment are my working principles. I believe, together, we will attain these goals.”

Professor Hector Chan graduated from CUHK with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology (First Class Honours) in 1986 and a MPhil degree in Anatomy in 1988. He then pursued a DPhil in Neuroscience at The University of Oxford from 1988. Upon returning to Hong Kong after graduation, Professor Chan started to teach in CUHK’s Department of Anatomy (now School of Biomedical Sciences) in 1991 and to serve New Asia College in 1992. He is currently Professor and Associate Director of the School of Biomedical Sciences, and Head of New Asia College.

Professor Chan’s enthusiasm for teaching and research is exemplified by the awards of numerous accolades in education, including Teacher of the Year Award from the Faculty of Medicine for 10 years, Master Teacher from the same faculty in 2005, and the CUHK Vice-Chancellor’s Exemplary Teaching Award in 2012. He contributed to education at all levels. In the Faculty of Medicine, he had served as Assistant Dean in Education from 2004-2021. He led the preclinical teaching and revamp of the medical curriculum at 2014 by serving as Year Coordinator, Chairman of Medical Year 2 and 3 Committees, and Chairman of Preclinical Education Committee. At New Asia College, he was the Dean of General Education from 2009-2020, playing a major role in coordinating and developing General Education programme for more than 3000 students. At the School of Biomedical Sciences, he was the Associate Director in Undergraduate Education from 2017-2021, overseeing all undergraduate programmes offered by the School. His major research interests include development of neural connections in the brain, and protection of the eye in degenerative and inflammatory diseases. In recent years, he has been actively promoting the culture of body donation to support medical education and research, at the same time cultivating the respect of life among the students.