President Ir Prof Frank Chan Fan: Connect Minds, Empower Tomorrow

By Hong Kong Economic Times

Ir Prof Chan Fan Frank, the President of The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers for Session 2026/2027, embraces engineering as a lifelong mission to serve society and empower future generations - a guiding philosophy that has profoundly shaped his decades-long journey in the profession.

As the former Secretary for Transport and Housing, and Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Ir Prof Chan has served the community with dedication for over 40 years.

Ir Prof Frank Chan (1st right) with President Xi Jinping (1st left) in the Hong Kong Airport in 2017 (Photo source: HKSAR Government)

Looking back, he still vividly remembers a defining moment from his early days as a junior assistant engineer, when he was granted an invaluable opportunity to make a presentation on biomedical safety before a substantial audience of seasoned professionals.

Ir Prof Frank Chan (2nd right) with his fellow volunteers when he was young (Photo source: Association for Engineering and Medical Volunteer Services)

This formative experience served as a vital testing ground for his distinguished career. It led him to realise the utmost importance of tolerance and inclusivity, alongside the immense value of giving young practitioners the chance to learn and grow.

That early encounter did more than test his technical knowledge - it revealed to him the culture that sustains a profession. Standing before experienced engineers, he felt both the weight of expectation and the generosity of mentorship. Senior members listened attentively, asked probing questions, and offered constructive advice. In that moment, he understood that engineering is not merely about theorem and systems; it is about people, dialogue, and the passage of knowledge and wisdom across generations. This conviction crystallises into his presidential theme, “Connect Minds, Empower Tomorrow.”

From subdivided flat to a life of service in engineering

Serving as a Hong Kong Deputy to the National People’s Congress (NPC) and other capacities, Ir Prof Chan is widely recognised as a pioneer of rehabilitation and biomedical engineering in Hong Kong. He holds the distinction of being the city’s first Certified Clinical Engineer. Furthermore, he was a founding member of the biomedical discipline, the Founding Chairman of the Association of Engineering and Medical Volunteer Services, and played a pivotal role in establishing Hong Kong’s first biomedical engineering degree programme.

His achievements, however, are rooted in beginnings that were far from privileged. Growing up in a subdivided flat, he experienced first-hand the constraints and uncertainties that many grassroots families face. Limited space, shared facilities, and financial pressures were part of daily life. Yet within that modest environment, he cultivated resilience, discipline, and a quiet determination to change his circumstances through education and perseverance.

Ir Prof Chan embarked on his engineering trajectory during his undergraduate studies at The University of Hong Kong (HKU). He went on to obtain a Master’s Degree in Medical Physics from the University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom. The decision to pursue medical physics that laid the foundation for his future endeavours was driven not only by academic aspiration, but also by the Government’s needs at the time, when Hong Kong was expanding its public healthcare infrastructure and advanced medical technologies were emerging rapidly worldwide. This experience enabled him to bridge engineering sciences with patient care. He later obtained a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from HKU, further reflecting his understanding that engineering solutions must be complemented by organisational leadership and policy acumen.

Ir Prof Chan joined the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) in 1980 as a graduate. His early career coincided with the nascent development of medical engineering in Hong Kong. In the mid-1980s, the Hong Kong government set an ambitious goal to expand the public healthcare system to meet the increasing demand in medical services of a rapidly growing population.

“The government’s goal was to establish a core team dedicated to managing the expansion of hospitals, new construction, and the safety and effectiveness of medical devices,” said Ir Prof Chan. He recalled how he became one of the four individuals selected to form this crucial core team and was subsequently sent overseas to pursue advanced studies.

Being selected for this pioneering team was both a blessing and a responsibility. The mandate extended beyond construction oversight; it required the establishment of technical standards, maintenance protocols, and safety systems that would safeguard patients and healthcare professionals for decades to come. It demands not only engineering expertise but also thorough understanding of the human body, and an unwavering commitment to public welfare.

He chose to study medical physics at the University of Aberdeen, an institution where pioneering researchers had developed the world’s first diagnostic full-body MRI scanner in 1980 – a monumental breakthrough that later earned a Nobel Prize.

“The reason why I chose the subject was not only for MRI but also other biomedical technologies, as many new hospitals were to be built in Hong Kong in the late 1980s and 1990s, including Tuen Mun Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital,” noted Ir Prof Chan, who was among the few engineers enrolled in the demanding course alongside healthcare professionals.

“These hospital projects made extensive use of the knowledge and experience I gained from the studies and experiments. The workload was heavy, but it was very fulfilling,” he added.

Upon returning to Hong Kong, he applied what he learnt to real hospital projects, integrating advanced imaging systems, laser safety protocols, and equipment lifecycle management frameworks. These efforts strengthened Hong Kong’s capability to operate sophisticated medical technologies safely and efficiently, laying the groundwork for a structured biomedical engineering system for public healthcare services.

Combating SARS with engineering expertise

When SARS broke out in Hong Kong in late 2002, fellow HKIE engineers responded decisively by forming an Ad-hoc Task Force in early May 2003.

“When SARS broke out, panic was everywhere and as engineers, we were keen and determined to find out how we can reduce cross-infection in hospitals,” said Ir Prof Chan, recalling the alarming reports of healthcare workers falling ill. Two of his colleagues from the EMSD were also infected and later developed bone necrosis.

Old photographs reflecting professional expertise to serve the community and to provide dedicated services to those in need (Photo source: Association for Engineering and Medical Volunteer Services)

Amidst the widespread quarantines, an expert group of the HKIE, dubbed as the “SARS-Busters”, was formed. Comprising experienced engineers from both within and outside the Institution, the group urgently developed solutions to protect frontline medical staff, specifically focusing on a ventilation system suitable for SARS-designated wards. Their innovative method, which extracted air from beneath and around each patient’s head, effectively lowered the chances of medical staff inhaling the exhaled viral particles. The design later becomes the standard for Hong Kong’s isolation wards.

“All the things we have done came from everyone’s genuine desire to help solve the problem,” said Ir Prof Chan. “This is a social responsibility if not a duty call.”

The SARS episode reinforced his belief that engineering is inseparable from public health and community resilience. In times of crisis, technical expertise becomes a shield for society. The rapid mobilisation of engineers, the cross-disciplinary collaboration, and the willingness to innovate under pressure demonstrated the profession’s quiet strength. For Ir Prof Chan, it was a vivid reminder that engineering excellence must always be anchored in humanitarian purpose.

At EMSD, Ir Prof Chan also faced the daunting task of dispatching personnel to collect environmental samples from contaminated buildings. As a leader, he faced the heavy burden of deciding who should bear the severe risk of viral exposure.

“Think about it: when you have many colleagues depending on you, who would you choose?” Ir Prof Chan said. “This was a very difficult decision, and the pressure was truly immense.”

Initially, he reached out to a contractor to see if they could help. The reply he received was candid: “Even if I agreed, none of my staff would be willing to go, even for more money.”

“I could not say he was wrong – he was just expressing the true feelings of his employees. So we had to solve it ourselves,” Ir Prof Chan said.

However, he was deeply moved by his own team members’ courageous responses when asked if they were willing to enter the contaminated buildings for sample collection.

“No one objected, no one dissented,” said Ir Prof Chan.

To safeguard the frontline personnel, a dedicated safety officer was assigned to instruct the team on rigorous protective and sterilisation protocols. Thanks to these meticulous measures, not a single member of his team contracted the virus during the high-risk sampling operations.

The experience left a lasting imprint on him. True leadership, he realised, is not about authority but about responsibility - the willingness to stand with one’s team, be in their shoes, and to ensure that every possible safeguard is in place to protect them. Courage, when guided by preparation and care, becomes a collective strength.

Engineering with empathy

When it comes to engineering, challenges are inevitable.

For Ir Prof Chan, the period spanning the 2000s and 2010s was exceptionally demanding. While the EMSD is widely recognised as a dedicated engineering solution provider to the government, it also serves as a statutory regulator. Spearheading this regulatory function, Ir Prof Chan confronted a series of shocking incidents, including fallen cable car, plunged lift, escalator run in reverse, and gas explosion.

“Though the incidents did not happen at exactly the same time, they took place within a concentrated timeframe, resulting in serious public concern and demand for change,” said Ir Prof Chan.

One of the most unforgettable moments for Ir Prof Chan was a serious passenger lift incident in 2013 at an ageing building in North Point, which resulted in several injuries. The case drew widespread public concern and prompted a thorough investigation and review.

The incident required not only technical examination, but also communication with affected families, coordination with contractors, and careful consideration of regulatory improvements. For Ir Prof Chan, it reinforced the profound responsibility that comes with regulatory authority: behind every system and component are real lives.

Among those injured was an elderly man recovering in hospital, whom Ir Prof Chan and his colleagues visited regularly during his recovery. Upon his discharge, the encounter left a lasting impression on Ir Prof Chan.

In response to the incident, his team strengthened lift safety standards, enhanced maintenance requirements, improved training, and tightened contractor oversight. Citing the “Swiss Cheese Model,” he emphasised that accidents often result from multiple gaps aligning - and that preventing even one gap can avert a serious incident.

“I am very pleased that today, when compared to other developed, world-class cities, Hong Kong is actually doing very well,” he said.

His systematic reforms exemplified preventive engineering governance. By closing procedural gaps, strengthening inspection regimes, and reinforcing professional accountability, the EMSD significantly enhanced public safety standards. The episode reinforced his conviction that safety is not a static checklist but a culture of care and vigilance.

Staying true to the original aspiration

From a junior engineer to a team leader, and now a NPC Deputy, Ir Prof Chan has taken up various roles across government, academic and social service sector. Although his responsibilities keep growing, his core mission of serving the people has never wavered.

Ir Prof Frank Chan (R) attending the National People’s Congress Meeting in Beijing

Ir Prof Chan’s decision to further his service at the HKIE stems from a deep-seated gratitude, if not obligation, to return the kindness he received since his youth. He is determined to contribute whatever he can to ensure that more people can enjoy the same life-changing opportunities he was given.

“Throughout our upbringing, we received so much help, care, and kindness from others, which opened doors for us. Society has also invested heavily in our generation - primary and secondary education was practically free, and university grants and loans were readily accessible” said Ir Prof Chan. “When we have the ability, we should give back to society.”

Ir Prof Frank Chan attending the Community Chest of Hong Kong Short Films Programme – Premiere on 27 May 2024 (Photo source: Association for Engineering and Medical Volunteer Services)

To Ir Prof Chan, an individual holds multiple responsibilities and “careers” in life: a professional career, a family career, and a “social career”. This holistic perspective explains his steadfast commitment to voluntary work since graduation.

During his time at HKU, he stayed with three hallmates with visually impairment. The experience inspired him to invent a braille calculator for the visually impaired as his final-year project.

While participating in different voluntary activities, Ir Prof Chan kept reflecting on how he could do more as an engineer.

That opportunity eventually materialised in 1982 when a group of like-minded HKU alumni jointly established the Association for Engineering and Medical Volunteer Services. It brought together engineers, medical professionals and social workers, and the unreserved support from the “Father of Rehabilitation” in Asia, Dr Harry Fang Sin-yang. Together, they invented assistive devices, including a modified talking appleshaped toy to enable children pronounce sounds correctly, and a drool-prevention device for children with intellectual disabilities.

Later, in 2005, Ir Prof Chan collaborated with fellow HKU alumni graduated in 1980 to launch “Growing Partners”, a mentorship programme designed to support young people from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.

“I was connected with a mentee in 2005, and we have stayed in touch ever since. We have become friends,” said Ir Prof Chan. Remarkably, the pair maintains their bond today, with the teenager from 2005 now in his thirties.

“Throughout my journey, at different stages, there has been a great deal of learning and reflection,” said Ir Prof Chan. “At different stages in life, as we acquire varying resources and capabilities, we should strive to contribute as much as we possibly can.”

HKIE Session 2026/2027 highlight

For his presidency of the Session 2026/2027, Ir Prof Chan has unveiled the inspiring annual theme “Connect Minds, Empower Tomorrow.” The theme encapsulates his belief that engineering progress arises from intellectual connection - across disciplines, generations, and sectors. “Connect Minds” speaks to collaboration among engineers, policymakers, academics, industry leaders, and the public. “Empower Tomorrow” signals the responsibility to equip younger generations with the knowledge, skills, and ethical compass necessary for future challenges.

Ir Prof Chan explained that this strategic planning for the Institution is anchored on a three-year horizon: “Our planning is not confined to a single year. A single year is, in reality, a very brief moment in the grander social environment. That is why our planning spans a three-year horizon. The President, Senior Vice President, and Vice Presidents will work closely together to jointly map out our scope of work and objectives for the next three years, ensuring that our work maintains long-term continuity, rather than being fragmented into isolated pieces.”

“While we must always remain adaptable to changes, our strategic direction should not waver simply due to periodic changes in leadership.”

In the Session 2026/2027, Ir Prof Chan will place an emphasis on the Sustainability pillar, spearheading immediate, impactful initiatives to drive the green transition, while concurrently advancing crucial agendas under Evolution and Engagement to ensure the profession is fully equipped for the future.

This long-term view reflects his governance philosophy: institutions must transcend individual tenures. By aligning the President, Senior Vice President, and Vice Presidents around shared objectives, HKIE can sustain momentum in sustainability, professional evolution, and community engagement. Stability of direction, paired with adaptability in execution, defines resilient leadership as a team.

Sustainability

Leading by example, Ir Prof Chan plans to introduce a comprehensive carbon audit at the HKIE headquarters to evaluate and mitigate its footprint. Acknowledging that the Institution’s emissions may appear modest, he stressed the importance of practice over preaching:

“Before asking others to act, we must demand it of ourselves. We must strive to achieve what we expect of others.” Since office spaces are a major source of urban emissions, he hopes these operational improvements will serve as a practical reference for others.

Looking outward, the HKIE is exploring plans to host international conferences on sustainable development to bring global and local minds together, and explore the way forward. Concurrently, Ir Prof Chan encourages individual Divisions to champion similar outreach efforts to demystify environmental targets, and other United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).

“Many feel disconnected from these goals, but in reality, climate change is everywhere” he explained, emphasising the need to bridge the gap between professional engineering initiatives and the public's daily lives.

At environmental level, Ir Prof Chan urged engineers to leverage green finance and prioritise zero-carbon engineering projects. Aligning with the call for zero-carbon industrial parks under the 15th Five-Year Plan, he highlighted Hong Kong’s potential to pursue similar developments in the Northern Metropolis, setting a global benchmark for green and smart city.

Ir Prof Frank Chan giving a talk in Hong Kong Metropolitan University in 2023 (Photo source: Hong Kong Metropolitan University)

Besides emissions, sustainability encompasses the broader UNSDGs. Ir Prof Chan noted that engineers play a tangible role in mitigating poverty and well-being through building affordable housing with better living environment, not to mention the other UNSDGs, such as energy, water, industry, innovation, infrastructure and climate action.

Evolution

In an era of rapid technological advancement, Ir Prof Chan believes evolution is not optional, as engineers who stop learning risk becoming obsolete. With the adoption of artificial intelligence accelerating at unprecedented speed and scale, he stressed that the profession must critically examine its role in advancing AI and ensuring its responsible application.

Evolution also extends to the Institution’s adaptability. With Hong Kong’s first astronaut having been launched into space aboard the Shenzhou XXIII spacecraft, Ir Prof Chan suggested that forward-looking discussions should begin incorporating aerospace engineering into HKIE.

Artificial intelligence, digital twins, robotics, advanced materials, and aerospace technologies are redefining engineering boundaries. He urges fellow members to embrace continuous professional development and interdisciplinary literacy, ensuring that technological advancement remains aligned with societal values.

Engagement

Ir Prof Chan sees a pressing need to proactively engage with HKIE members, the wider society, and the younger generation. He observed that while engineering provides the essential foundation for modern society to function, its profound impact is often overlooked or undervalued.

Ir Prof Frank Chan providing a speech in COP29

Public understanding of engineering often remains limited to visible construction projects, overlooking contributions in healthcare, energy transition, digital infrastructure, and environmental protection. By enhancing outreach, celebrating engineering achievements, and visiting schools, HKIE can reshape perceptions and inspire future talents.

To secure the profession's future, capturing the interest of the younger generations is paramount. “We need to engage young people and children, get them interested in science and engineering; only then will they consider taking up the study,” said Ir Prof Chan.

Ir Prof Frank Chan (2nd row, 4th right) attending the Inauguration of the PolyU Research Centre for Assistive Technology (Photo source: Research Centre for Assistive Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (https://www.polyu.edu.hk/rcatech/))

To shift public perception and remove prevailing stereotypes, HKIE is expanding its outreach by visiting schools to promote the profession directly to students, alongside efforts to showcase the achievement of outstanding engineers across various specialities.

Ir Prof Frank Chan providing a speech as the Honorary Advisor of RCATech in an event of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Photo source: PolyU)

Ir Prof Chan also advocates for adjustments to the current education system, hoping to create more room for students with genuine aptitude for science and technology to explore subjects such as engineering, chemistry, biology, and mathematics. Emphasising that interest stems from early exposure, he noted that increasing publicity for events such as robotics competitions will help spark curiosity and inspire the engineers of tomorrow.

Early exposure is key. When students encounter robotics competitions, sustainability challenges, or biomedical innovations, curiosity would transform into aspiration. Engagement, therefore, is not promotional rhetoric but a strategic investment in the profession’s continuity.

A Matter of Trade-offs

Taking on such an extensive array of professional duties and public service roles requires rigorous time management. For Ir Prof Chan, navigating this immense workload comes down to what he simply describes as a necessary trade-off.

“You do not magically get more time in a day, so it comes down to handling the urgent and important things first,” he shared. “For everything else, you just try to do as much as you can within those 24 hours.”

This demanding schedule is driven by his deep commitment to preparation. He frequently receives thick stacks of briefing documents to review, noting that even a brief ten-or-twentyminute speaking slot requires extensive study to ensure he delivers meaningful, well-considered insights.

To carve out the necessary focus and to master the contents, he often sacrifices his own rest.

“For whatever is left, I just have to be an owl,” he joked. “Some colleagues even call me ‘Brother Owl,’ messaging me to ask why I am still awake.”

However, Ir Prof Chan is quick to emphasise that this level of wholehearted dedication to the profession and society would be entirely impossible without unwavering support at home.

“I really must thank my wife first and foremost,” he noted with deep gratitude. “She manages everything within the household, which gives me the time and freedom to step out and take on these roles.”

Through these quiet sacrifices and deliberate personal choices, Ir Prof Chan continues to devote himself to the community, living up to his principles and demonstrating that engineering is, at its core, a profound form of public service.

Engineering as a Lifelong Social Commitment

Across decades of service - from hospital engineering to epidemic response, from regulatory reform to mentorship - Ir Prof Chan’s journey illustrates a singular thread: engineering as a vehicle for societal good. His presidency marks not a culmination but a continuation of that mission.

“Connect Minds, Empower Tomorrow” is more than a slogan. It is a call to action for engineers to collaborate across boundaries, uphold professional integrity, nurture younger generations, and pursue sustainable innovation. Under his leadership, HKIE’s role extends beyond professional accreditation; it becomes a catalyst for social progress.

Ir Prof Chan’s life journey embodies the transformative power of continuous learning, perseverance, and service. His story affirms that engineering, at its highest calling, is not merely about building structures or systems - it is about building trust, creating opportunity, and instilling hope for the future.

Ir Prof Chan's journey illustrates engineering as a vehicle for societal good, and embodies the transformative power of continuous learning, perserverance, and service (Photo source: HKSAR Government)