Kintoy Professorship in Educational Technology

Professor Khe Foon Hew is Kintoy Professor in Educational Technology in the Faculty of Education at The University of Hong Kong (HKU). Trained as a Systems Engineer, he holds a Bachelor degree in Computer Technology from the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, and worked for four years at Sony Systems Design International before transitioning into education. He later obtained a Master’s degree in Instructional Design and Technology from NTU and a PhD in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University Bloomington, USA.

As an internationally recognised scholar in educational technology, Professor Hew focuses on advancing theories and designs of digital learning interventions and on using rigorous empirical methods to examine their effectiveness. His research investigates when and how technology can meaningfully enhance learning outcomes. Since joining HKU in 2014, he has authored over 100 journal articles, many in leading Web of Science–indexed educational technology journals. Since 2015, he has been listed by Clarivate Analytics among the top 1% of researchers by citations (Essential Science Indicators) and was named a “Highly Cited Researcher” by Clarivate in 2025, reflecting his sustained scholarly impact.

Professor Hew received the Faculty of Education Outstanding Research Student Supervisor Award in 2020 and the Research Grants Council (RGC) Research Fellow Scheme award in 2022. He is also a dedicated educator, having secured multiple Teaching Development Grants to support pedagogical innovation. His work has influenced both practice and policy. In 2019, his critical analysis of flipped learning pedagogy was selected by the Academic Pediatric Association (USA) as one of the top articles for its immediate and direct impact on paediatric educators, and his research on flipped learning has been featured in Forbes, reaching a global audience of millions. He has been highlighted as a Global Scholar by Teachers College Record, Columbia University, in recognition of his contribution to the journal. In addition, his article on promoting engagement in online courses was selected as a high-impact piece for the British Journal of Educational Technology’s “COVID-19: Online Teaching and Learning Virtual Collection,” providing timely guidance to teachers, school leaders, administrators, and parents during the pandemic.

Building on this research and recognition, Professor Hew is deeply committed to improving education in Hong Kong and internationally. He collaborates with kindergarten, primary, and secondary school teachers to co-design and implement technology-enhanced programs in subjects such as English, Mathematics, Chinese Language, Physics, and Economics. These initiatives have consistently shown better learning outcomes than traditional instruction. They have also been reported in international journals. Together, these results further contribute to global discussions on the effective integration of technology in education.