Dr Chan has an interesting career as an academic, economic advisor, and entrepreneur. He is Co-Founder, Chancellor and President of HELP University (Malaysia), and is also Co-Founder of HELP International Corporation, which is listed in the Malaysian Stock Exchange.

He read economics at the University of Malaya, McMaster University, Canada and completed his PhD at the Australian National University. Dr Chan has a distinguished academic career. He was Chairman, Division of Applied Economics, University of Malaya.

Dr Chan was also trained in advanced leadership in the renowned Center for Creative Leadership in Colorado Springs, USA.

Dr Chan is a member of Australia TEQSA (Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency). He is also a member of the Malaysian National Higher Education Council. In addition Dr Chan is also appointed by CSCSE (Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange, MOE China) to be a member of Study Abroad Training Centers (SATC) Quality Assurance Counselling Panel.

He is also advisor to several educational institutions in China, US and Australia.

For his contributions to education he received honorary doctoral degrees from British and Australian universities. He is also a member of the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame of the prestigious Australian National University in recognition of his achievements in entrepreneurship. Dr Chan is President of the Malaysian ANU Alumni and Chairs the ANU Alumni Scholarship Committee.

Dr Chan has consulted to many international organizations. He has contributed to various Malaysian Government projects, including the first Industrial Master Plan and other national plans. Dr Chan assisted in constructing the KLSE Composite Index and was Chairman of the Committee during 1991-2001. He has also consulted to many MNCs in leadership and strategy studies.

As an entrepreneur, he has been involved in different roles in the corporate sector. He has been director of public companies and has founded and managed several private enterprises.

He is a regular speaker in international forums. Dr Chan writes a column in Nanyang Siang Pau.

For his contribution to education, Dr Chan was awarded the Panglima Jasa Negara (P.J.N) by the King of Malaysia. This grants him the title of Datuk.

In December 2011 he represented HELP to receive the 2011 Forbes Award for the top 200 Asia Pacific companies below US$ 1 billion. He is also a recipient of the Education Innovation Award given by the World Education Congress (2012).