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Draft:Cliff Chan



Cliff Chok Ki Chan

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Cliff Chok Ki Chan is a Hong Kong engineering academic, and entrepreneur, recognised primarily for establishing TeleEye Holdings Limited, Hong Kong's first university spin-off to achieve a public listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2001.[1] [2] [3] [4], and for supervising the first PhD graduate Mr. Po Man Lai [5] from City University of Hong Kong (formerly City Polytechnic of Hong Kong) in 1990.

Early Life and Career

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Chan earned both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1977 and 1978, respectively [2]. He completed his PhD in Electronics from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) in 1984 [2].

Afterwards, Chan developed his career as a professor in the Electronic Engineering Department at City University of Hong Kong for over fifteen years [1] [2]. He mentored Mr. Po Man Lai [5], who became the university's first doctoral graduate in 1991.

Pioneer of University Academic Research into Commercialisation

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In 1994, Chan created Signal Communications Limited at the City University of Hong Kong to translate research in signal and image processing into commercial applications, which became the foundation for TeleEye's surveillance technology [1]. TeleEye Group emerged as a university spin-off venture, producing remote video monitoring systems that introduced capabilities such as remote management and security functionality during the 1990s [6].

Chan's scientific research contributions at City University earned him the Grand Award at the Second Applied Research Excellence Award in 1998, with TeleEye being featured in local media as an exemplary case of successful technology transfer in Hong Kong [7] [8]. He subsequently was recognised with the Distinguished Alumni Award from CUHK's Faculty of Engineering in 2010 for his innovations in video surveillance and technology commercialisation [9].

First University Business Went on IPO in Hong Kong

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TeleEye Holdings Limited went public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in April 2001, with Chan as the founder and chief executive officer; the company is recognised as Hong Kong's first university-originated business to achieve public listing status [1] [2] [3] [4]. Video surveillance products of TeleEye were exported to more than 50 countries. Over HK$400 million revenues were brought in, with clients including multinational brands such as Coca-Cola, HSBC, and Bank of America [2] [10].

Advocate for University Research Funding & Knowledge Transfer

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Throughout the late 1990s, Chan's achievements were regularly featured in Hong Kong media as a model and new trend for commercialising publicly funded academic research [3] [4] [8]. Some commentators placed TeleEye's innovations amongst Hong Kong's "four great inventions" and advocated for enhanced government support for university-based research and entrepreneurship [4] [10]. Media reports at the time also emphasised that TeleEye's products had reached more than 30 markets, including Australia, Japan, Germany, UK and Singapore [11]. Together with other early stage university-spinned companies, the early startup trend led to the implementation [12] of a five billion government fund towards high technology product innovation [13].

Later Life into Arts

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In 2015, Chan divested his entire stake in TeleEye and withdrew from active leadership of the organisation [2]. After leaving the corporate world, he devoted himself to long-held passions in fine arts and photography, and developing a practice as a contemporary painter with exhibitions in Hong Kong and overseas [14].

Chan's paintings have garnered multiple honours in international juried art competitions hosted by Camelback Gallery in the United States [14]. In 2022, he received Bronze Awards for "The Rock" in the "Land and Sea 2022 International Juried Competition". “There is a sense of calmness from Dr Chan’s work,” reported by ETNET [15]. Chan transformed from academia to entrepreneurship to art, and his life philosophy was reshaped, in which new meaning and fulfilment are found through art.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "TeleEye goes public". City University of Hong Kong. 1 May 2001.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Prof. Cliff C. K. CHAN". Alumni & Friends. Department of Electronic Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
  3. 1 2 3 "CityU TeleEye goes public, Professor went into commerce, leading a new trend". Sing Tao Daily.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "City U became the first university with a publicly listed company". Apple Daily.
  5. 1 2 "CityU Alumni Series—On the Road of Success". Persisting in Innovation, Developing Uniqueness across Challenges - Lai Man PO.
  6. ↑ "TeleEye Pro keeps bosses in touch: Zooming in on Distant Staff". The Hong Kong Standard. 15 March 1999.
  7. ↑ The Second Applied Research Excellence Award – Grand Award Prize Winner to Professor Chan Chok Ki. The City University of Hong Kong Publication. 14 May 1998.
  8. 1 2 "Successful Model of Local Technology—TeleEye System". Ming Pao. 2 June 1998.
  9. ↑ "CUHK Faculty of Engineering honours 25 Distinguished Alumni". Communications and Public Relations Office, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. 16 April 2017.
  10. 1 2 "The CEO of TeleEye visiting Mauritius". Le Mauricien. 3 April 2006.
  11. ↑ "Scientists are running the business of TeleEye". Apple Daily. 25 November 1998.
  12. ↑ "More support is needed for university research". South China Morning Post. 10 November 1997.
  13. ↑ "HKSAR Announced Five Billion Fund for Applied Science Research Towards High Tech Product Innovation". Oriental Daily. 8 October 1998.
  14. 1 2 "陳作基". The Hong Kong Artists Association.
  15. ↑ 趙, 健明 (2 November 2024). "藝術家陳作基：將香港多元文化和社會議題融入作品中，展現淡定從容的人生態度". ETNET 財經·生活經濟通.
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