HKUST Appoints Prof. TAM Kar-Yan as Vice-President for Administration and Business | The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) announced today the appointment of Prof. TAM Kar-Yan as a successor to Prof. PONG Ting-Chuen in the role of Vice-President for Administration and Business (VPAB), effective from July 1, 2024.

Prof. Tam is an acclaimed scholar with an impressive career spanning over three decades at HKUST.  His contributions have placed him among the world’s top 2 per cent information systems scholars and as one of the most cited business professors at the University. Joining HKUST in 1992 as a founding member of the Business School, Prof. Tam currently serves as the Dean of Business and Management, as well as Chair Professor in the Department of Information Systems, Business Statistics and Operations Management (ISOM).  He has held various positions within the University, including Head of ISOM, Associate Dean of Business and Management, Associate Vice-President (Academic Affairs), and Founding Dean of Undergraduate Education and Dean of Students.

Beyond HKUST, Prof. Tam actively engages in public service and possesses extensive networks within the business and academic communities, holding key roles in the Hong Kong government, local organizations and global business education institutions. Prof. Tam is currently the Chairperson of the Hong Kong Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation of the HKSAR and a member of the Exchange Fund Advisory Committee of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. Internationally, Prof. Tam serves on the Board of two major business education accreditation institutions – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD). He was also the Chairperson of the Curriculum Development Council and a member of the Education Commission of the Education Bureau.

As the next VPAB, Prof. Tam will be responsible for the strategic planning and management of resources including manpower, finances, campus services as well as IT infrastructure and applications, to ensure optimal support for the University’s academic and research activities. His appointment follows a rigorous global search process.

HKUST Council Chairman Prof. Harry SHUM congratulated Prof. Tam on his new role. “Prof. Tam is an accomplished scholar and administrator well-respected across academic, business and public sectors.  His extensive experience in institution management and exceptional ability in building connections have helped shape the success of the University.  I have no doubt that he will work seamlessly with the University’s senior management team and key stakeholders in his new capacity to further advance the university’s missions,” he said. 

HKUST President Prof. Nancy IP also extended her warm congratulations to Prof. Tam, "Having worked with Prof. Tam over the last three decades, I earnestly look forward to our continued partnership in his new position with other senior management members. Together, we will drive numerous new initiatives under our HKUST 3.0 journey.  With his profound knowledge in HKUST's operations and sound understanding of the University's opportunities and challenges ahead, he is well-positioned to offer valuable advice on the strategic planning of resources on multiple fronts.”

The University also expressed gratitude to the outgoing VPAB Prof. PONG Ting-Chuen for his dedicated leadership, comprehensive efforts and contributions to the University.

Prof. Tam earned his bachelor degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1984.  He went on to obtain his master degree in computer science and PhD in Management Information Systems from Purdue University in 1987 and 1988 respectively.

About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology  
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (https://hkust.edu.hk/) is a world-class university that excels in driving innovative education, research excellence, and impactful knowledge transfer. With a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy approach, HKUST was ranked 3rd in the Times Higher Education’s Young University Rankings 2024, while 12 of its subjects were ranked among the world’s top 50 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024, with "Data Science and Artificial Intelligence" being ranked first in Hong Kong and 10th in the world. Our graduates are highly competitive, consistently ranking among the world’s top 30 most sought-after employees. In terms of research and entrepreneurship, over 80% of our work was rated “Internationally excellent” or “world leading” in the latest Research Assessment Exercise 2020 of Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee. As of June 2024, HKUST members have founded 1,747 active start-ups, including 10 Unicorns and 14 exits (IPO or M&A).