Kenneth Chau

Background

About Kenneth Chau

I explore ideas, build teams, and mentor people with the potential to change the world. I’ve done some interesting work in optics (eg, built a microscope from a disk drive, measured the sound of light bouncing off a mirror, developed a real-time biophysical-based skin visualization tool). I’ve mentored and invested into entrepreneurs who have created three BC-based technology companies, including VO2 Master (Canada’s first and only manufacturer of portable metabolic analyzers), Happipad (a provider of technology-enabled home-sharing solutions that address the affordability crisis in Canada) and MantisXR (an innovative provider of immersive experiences on mobile devices serving the sports industry). These companies have in turn reinvested into UBC, creating a shared-fate model for university-community collaborations which transcends transactional models of engagement. Building on my unique experience straddling the worlds of academia, business, and entrepreneurship, I’m exploring mental, behavioural, and organizational models to foster cultures of creativity, growth, and joy within higher education and beyond. It's fun, rewarding, and timely work, which creates a compelling answer to a question that has bugged me for most of my adult life: what is the purpose of universities?