President and Chair Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK)

Professor John Lee Chi-Kin is an internationally respected education leader, scholar, and policy contributor, widely recognised for his influence on education reform, teacher development, and curriculum innovation in Hong Kong, the region, and globally – including the UAE, Oman and wider Middle East.

He is President and Chair Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), where he leads the University’s mission to nurture passionate, professional, ethical, and innovative educators and future-ready professionals.

Since joining EdUHK in 2010 (then the Hong Kong Institute of Education), Professor Lee has played a central role in shaping the University’s academic excellence, research growth, and global engagement. He served as Vice President (Academic) from 2010 to 2019, and subsequently as Vice President (Academic) and Provost from 2019 to 2023.

In recognition of his leadership in regional and international education development, he was reappointed in 2023 to serve a second term as UNESCO Chair in Regional Education Development and Lifelong Learning, advancing sustainable development, intercultural exchange, and lifelong learning worldwide. He is also a distinguished education scholar committed to advancing sustainable development, intercultural exchange, and 21st-century skills.

Middle East Involvement

Professor Lee has built strong and growing ties with the Middle East, particularly the United Arab Emirates and Oman, by championing education collaboration in teacher development, sustainability, and research innovation.

He has played a central role in strengthening EdUHK’s strategic partnership with the United Arab Emirates, overseeing high-impact collaborations with United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) across research, talent development, and future-ready learning. In 2024, he led two academic delegations to UAEU, which culminated in the launch of the UAEU–EdUHK Joint Research Grant, supporting interdisciplinary research in education and social sciences, with four joint projects funded in its first cycle.

Under his leadership, EdUHK also hosted the UAEU Summer Academic Development Programme in 2025, providing ten UAEU students with advanced academic training and exposure to emerging technologies. In July 2025, Professor Lee welcomed the UAE Consul General to Hong Kong to further explore academic exchange and long-term collaboration, reinforcing EdUHK’s role as a trusted education partner for the UAE.

In Oman, Professor Lee has been influential in advancing institutional collaboration and education capacity building. He oversaw a 2025 capacity-building workshop at Majan University College, attracting over 900 participants and strengthening research and academic skills across the institution.

He has also led discussions with Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) to establish reciprocal student exchange programmes launching in 2026, marking an important step in long-term collaboration and talent mobility. These initiatives underscore Professor Lee’s commitment to building sustainable academic partnerships and supporting national education priorities aligned with Oman’s national objectives.

As President, he also led EdUHK’s participation in major global education forums, including the THE World Academic Summit, where he engaged alongside UAE, Middle Eastern delegates and international leaders on the future of education, sustainability, and global talent development, further underscoring EdUHK’s global reach and relevance to Gulf education transformation agendas.

Prior Experience

Prior to EdUHK, Professor Lee was Dean of Education and Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), where he also served as Director of the Centre for University and School Partnership and as a Fellow of United College and Morningside College.

His commitment to teaching excellence was recognised with CUHK’s Vice-Chancellor’s Exemplary Teaching Award in 1999. Earlier in his career, he worked as a secondary school teacher and as a Lecturer at the Sir Robert Black College of Education, grounding his leadership in frontline classroom experience.

Educational Background and Research Contributions

Professor Lee holds degrees from The University of Hong Kong, the University of Oxford (MSc), and CUHK (MA (Education), PhD, and Diploma in Education with distinction). His research spans curriculum and instruction, geographical and environmental education, life and values education, teacher development, and school improvement. He has led numerous large-scale research and development projects and has a strong record of securing competitive external funding.

His scholarly impact is globally recognised. Professor Lee is ranked among the top 1% of the world’s most-cited scientists for career-long impact, according to Stanford University. He has edited and authored more than 25 books and published over 175 journal articles and book chapters, and serves as a leading co-editor of major international series published by Springer and Routledge.

He has also held prominent editorial roles, including Editor of the International Journal of Children’s Spirituality and Executive Editor of Teaching and Teacher Education.

Public Service

Beyond academia, Professor Lee is deeply engaged in public service and education policy across Hong Kong, Mainland China, and internationally. He has held multiple visiting and adjunct professorships and was appointed Changjiang Scholar Chair Professor by China’s Ministry of Education. His advisory roles span major education and professional bodies, and he was appointed a Justice of the Peace (JP) by the Hong Kong SAR Government.

At the regional and global levels, Professor Lee is a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, a Research Fellow of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), and Director of several strategic research and policy centres at EdUHK.

Through his leadership, scholarship, and international engagement – including his growing collaboration with the UAE, Oman and the wider Middle East, Professor Lee is a leading voice in global education transformation, championing future-ready education systems, ethical leadership, and long-term capacity building aligned with national development priorities.