The Hon. Chan Hoi-yan

The Hon. Chan Hoi-yan is currently a member of the Legislative Council (Election Committee) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China. She is one of the seasoned professionals successfully bridging the worlds of media management and public administration. Ms. Chan’s academic foundation is solidly grounded in HKBU, where she obtained a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Communication in 1999, followed by a Master of Social Sciences in Media Management in 2008. Her diverse career experience — spanning broadcast journalism, public administration, social entrepreneurship, and public governance — stands as a testament to her lifelong commitment to social good.

Ms. Chan’s professional journey began in the demanding and versatile environment of television news. She joined Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB News) in 1998 and was gradually promoted to Senior Reporter and Anchor, honing her skills in public communication and investigative journalism. In 2005, she joined Now TV where she assisted in setting up the Now Business News Channel and the News Channel. Prior to joining the government in 2012, she served as News Editor for Now TV’s News and Business Information channel, overseeing daily news editing and reporting, with a special focus on medical news. She also served as the Executive Producer and host of the medical programme Medicine Online, which has become a long-standing success, garnering positive recognition. These experiences allowed her to develop a profound understanding of social and public health issues, which would later become the cornerstone of the success of her political career.

In 2012, Ms. Chan was appointed the Political Assistant for Dr. Ko Wing-man, the then Secretary for Food and Health of the Government of the HKSAR. During her five-year tenure, she acted as a vital bridge between the government and the public, navigating between legislative lobbying and policy formulation. Following her term as a political appointee, she demonstrated her commitment to social responsibility by becoming the CEO of a social enterprise, promoting social inclusion for the elderly and the visually impaired. Driven by her passion for serving the community, she actively participated in community affairs. She also established a public relations consultancy, leveraging her experiences accumulated in media and public administration. Currently a member of the Legislative Council (Election Committee) of the HKSAR, she channels her insights into various social issues for the public good, staying committed to her original aspiration. In the legislature, she is recognised as a pragmatic voice, championing issues such as healthcare reform, housing policy, and the rights of the grassroots communities.

Beyond her legislative duties, Ms. Chan has demonstrated a strong sense of social responsibility by taking up a number of community leadership positions. Her extensive list of public appointments includes, for instance, a member of the Standing Committee of the Foshan Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, a member of the Consumer Council, a member of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee, and a Non-Executive Director of the eMPF Platform Company Limited.

Ms. Chan’s loyalty to HKBU remains unwavering. She is a frequent and familiar face at HKBU events, often volunteering her professional talents as an emcee for major occasions such as the University’s 50th Anniversary Variety Show, the 60th Anniversary Alumni Show and numerous Homecoming events. She also spares no effort in sharing her insights and experiences at sharing forums In recognition of her exceptional career trajectory and her significant contributions to the field of communication, she was honoured with the Distinguished Alumni Communicator Award by the HKBU School of Communication in 2008. Ms Chan consistently serves as an inspiration to students and alumni, embodying the values of service, professionalism, and community care.

(HKBU would like to thank the award recipient for providing the information.)