Speakers

Institutional Leadership and Academic Credentials

Professor Chan Cheuk-hay currently holds the presidency of both the HKCT Institute of Higher Education and the Hong Kong College of Technology. His academic foundations were established at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he earned a Master of Social Sciences in Law and Public Affairs and a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Journalism and Communication, with a minor in Computer Studies. Professor Chan’s distinguished contributions to the field have been recognized through the conferment of a Doctor of Letters by the University of Ulster and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Central Lancashire (now the University of Lancashire) in the United Kingdom.

Policy Advocacy and Public Service

Beyond his institutional responsibilities, Professor Chan is a dedicated advocate for Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) at the policy, sectoral, and societal levels. His commitment to sectoral governance is evidenced by his service on several public and professional bodies, most notably the Steering Committee on Promotion of VPET and Qualifications Framework under the Education Bureau of the HKSAR Government. Furthermore, his influence extends to national policy through his membership in the 13th and 14th National Committees of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), where he actively contributes to the formulation of strategies regarding education, workforce development, and talent cultivation.

Strategic Vision and Pedagogical Philosophy

As a prominent writer and columnist, Professor Chan underscores the strategic imperative of VPET in facilitating economic transformation, technological advancement, and social mobility. He advocates for a quadruple-helix model of collaboration, involving government, educational institutions, industry, and the research sector, to ensure that VPET remains congruent with market demands and fosters innovation through sustained partnerships. This approach is framed as essential for the cultivation of a resilient, future-ready workforce capable of meeting the exigencies of emerging and mission-critical industries. Specifically, Professor Chan advances workforce development within critical communications sectors, such as public safety and essential infrastructure, by emphasizing the role of industry-aligned, technology-enabled learning pathways in producing practice-ready talent.