Mr Abraham Y L Chan Mr Abraham Y L Chan
Mr Abraham Y L Chan

Honorary University Fellow (2011)

Mr Abraham Chan is one of the visionary leaders of the Chinese medicine industry in Hong Kong, and one of the earliest supporters of HKBU’s School of Chinese Medicine. He is currently Chairman and CEO of the PuraPharm Group of Companies, and an Independent Non-Executive Director of Belle International Holdings Limited. Since 2007 Mr Chan has been an Honorary Member of the HKBU Court.
 
Abraham Chan began his illustrious career in the construction industry, having obtained his B.Sc. from the University of Toronto in 1982, and having qualified as a Chartered Engineer in the United Kingdom in 1988 and as a Registered Professional Engineer in Canada in1989.
 
However, Mr Chan’s career as a structural engineer was to be curtailed by a chance event. While working in China, he discovered the excellent medicinal effects of “Lingzhi” and was inspired to make this and other remarkable curative medicines available to the wider public. In 1991 he founded Vita Green Health Products; and seven years after that established PuraPharm, a company that specializes in the production of Chinese medicine concentrates for professional use. Led by Mr Chan, PuraPharm has revolutionized and internationalized the medical industry. It produced the first modernized instant Chinese medicine granules, replacing the traditional and time-consuming method of boiling raw herbs. Under Mr Chan’s guidance, PuraPharm broadened its product range, employing dynamic and diversified research and marketing techniques, and achieving high growth and a reputation second to none. Today, PuraPharm remains the only manufacturer of Chinese Medicine allowed to produce the full range of Chinese Medicinal granules in China using the traditional Chinese medicine formula. The PuraPharm group has established itself as the front runner in Chinese Medicine production, and has earned the highest respect in both academic and industry circles.
 
Mr Chan has played an active and influential role in public and community services. Currently, he is a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference for Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; and a Standing Committee Member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (Nanning). He is a member of several health and medicinal associations, a Board Member and Hong Kong Representative of the International Society of Oriental Medicine and Chairman of Chinese Entrepreneurs Organization. In the past he has held positions on numerous advisory and other bodies, including the Commission on Strategic Development and the Central Policy Unit, of the HKSAR. Mr Chan has been elected President of Modernized Chinese Medicine International Association, President of the Hong Kong Metropolitan Lions Club and named as an Honorary Citizen of Nanning, Guangxi.
 
For all the diversities and pressures of his life, Mr Chan has found time to render enormous support to the School of Chinese Medicine and to the Hong Kong Baptist University as a whole. Indeed, he was one of the earliest supporters of the School and served for six years as the first Chairman of its Advisory Committee. After stepping down as Chair in 2006, he continued his unstinting support for the School’s programmes and activities, sponsoring training and career development opportunities for undergraduates and graduates alike. Mr Chan, visionary and entrepreneur of the highest order, stands as a true and loyal friend of HKBU.  

Mr Chairman, in recognition of Mr Abraham Chan’s distinguished contribution to the Chinese medicine industry in Hong Kong and internationally, and in appreciation of his invaluable and steadfast support for this University, it is my privilege to present him to you for the award of an Honorary University Fellowship.