Biography
Prof Kar Yan Tam is currently Vice-President for Administration and Business and Chair Professor of Information Systems, Business Statistics and Operations Management at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). He received his PhD from Purdue University and started off his academic career at the University of Texas (Austin). He joined HKUST in 1992 as a founding member of the Business School, where he served as Associate Dean from 1999-2006 and Associate Vice-President of the Provost Office from 2005-2007. He was appointed founding Dean of Undergraduate Education in 2007, was the Associate Provost and Dean of Students from 2011-2016 and was Dean of the Business School from 2016 - 2024.
As a researcher, Prof Tam is well known for his contributions in information systems and the diffusion of innovations in organizations. His earlier work on machine learning applications in finance and investment is regarded as pioneer research in Fintech. According to Google Scholar, his publications received over 20,000 citations. Prof Tam is currently serving on the editorial board of a number of academic journals.
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.
Areas of Responsibility
The Vice-President for Administration and Business (VP-AB) is the principal officer providing strategic leadership, planning oversight and stewardship of the administrative resources and operations of the University to ensure effective delivery of services in support of the academic, teaching, and research activities, and achievement of the sustainability and diversity and inclusion goals of the University.
The various activities are currently supported by 9 administrative offices: