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The Council of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has approved today (22 April 2025) the appointment of Professor Isabella Poon Wai-yin as Provost for a term of five years, effective from 23 April 2025. Professor Poon is currently the Acting Provost, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) and Wei Lun Professor of Statistics of the CUHK. She succeeds Professor Alan Chan Kam-leung, who completed his term at the end of December 2024.

As the Provost, Professor Poon will assist the Vice-Chancellor and President in overseeing academic affairs, proposing the University’s future plans, and leading their implementation and evaluation, while also advancing academic and research developments. Additionally, she will assist in developing strategic plans for academic staff recruitment, as well as in formulating resource allocation plans for academic enterprises, with the aim of creating an ideal environment for both faculty and students.

Professor John Chai Yat-chiu, Chairman of the CUHK Council, remarked: “Professor Poon has served CUHK for many years, demonstrating profound insight into the University’s development and educational innovation. Her exceptional achievements in academic innovation and higher education management make her an ideal candidate for the role of Provost. I am confident that her extensive experience will support the Vice-Chancellor and President in leading CUHK to new heights and a brighter future.”

Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, CUHK Vice-Chancellor and President, said: “Professor Poon has dedicated 37 years to CUHK, always holding the University close to her heart. During her tenure as Associate Dean of the Faculty of Science, Associate Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor, she championed innovative, student-centric teaching strategies, benefiting generations of learners. During her time as Acting Provost, we worked together closely to launch the 5-year strategic planning process. I am certain that her broad institutional leadership experience and visionary foresight will steer further breakthroughs at CUHK.”

Professor Poon expressed her gratitude for her appointment as Provost of the University, saying: “I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me by the Council and the Vice-Chancellor and President. My connection with CUHK runs deep – it is not only where my academic journey began but also the alma mater that nurtured me. To contribute my expertise in service of this institution is both a privilege and a responsibility. I pledge to dedicate my utmost efforts, working in close collaboration with the Council, the Vice-Chancellor and President, the senior management team and all colleagues, to drive CUHK’s future advancement.”

Professor Poon obtained her BSc in Mathematics in 1983 and MPhil in Statistics in 1985 from CUHK, and her PhD in Biostatistics from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1987. She was appointed in 1987 as Lecturer in the Department of Statistics at CUHK, and promoted to Professor in 2001. She served as Associate Dean (Education) in the Faculty of Science from 2004 to 2014 and Director of the Centre for Promoting Science Education from 2006 to 2014. Additionally, she was the Director of Centre for Learning Enhancement and Research (CLEAR) from 2012 to 2015, and was appointed as Associate Vice-President in 2014 and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) in 2015. She has also performed the role of Acting Provost since January 2025.

Professor Poon’s outstanding teaching has earned her a number of accolades. She was conferred the inaugural UGC Award for Teaching Excellence by the University Grants Committee in 2011. She has led the development of a plethora of large-scale inter-institutional, inter-disciplinary and inter-sectoral teaching development projects, founded the HK Teaching Excellence Alliance, chaired and served as member in a number of key committees that drive educational developments, and steered the launch of innovative programmes such as the 2+2 collaborative programmes of CUHK and CUHK-Shenzhen. Professor Poon has displayed unwavering commitment in education.  Her distinguished leadership in programme development, quality enhancement and teaching excellence has been most impressive.  

The Search process

The Council of CUHK set up a Search Committee on 29 October 2024, with a view to identifying a suitable candidate to succeed Professor Alan Chan Kam-leung as the next Provost. It engaged a professional recruitment consultancy to assist in the search process. The Search Committee advertised the position in December 2024, consulted key stakeholders on the expected qualities and roles of the Provost, and invited nominations. The Search Committee agreed to recommend, via the Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Isabella Poon Wai-yin as the only candidate for appointment by the Council. The Vice-Chancellor and President supports the recommendation of the Search Committee.