From 2008 to 2012, Professor Anthony Cheung was President of The Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd), the predecessor of EdUHK.

Professor Cheung graduated from The University of Hong Kong in 1974 with a Bachelor degree in Sociology and Economics. He later obtained a MSc in Public Sector Management from the University of Aston, the UK, and PhD in Government from the London School of Economics and Political Science, the UK. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science by Aston University in 2016 and an Honorary Doctorate of Education by EdUHK in 2017.

Professor Cheung joined the civil service in the 1970s. In 1986, he commenced his academic career in the Department of Public and Social Administration of City University of Hong Kong (then City Polytechnic of Hong Kong), where he subsequently became Professor and Head of Department.

Professor Cheung co-founded the Asian Association of Public Administration in 2010 and had been its president. His research has focused on governance, administrative and civil service reform, and public policy, producing 17 authored/edited books and 117 refereed journal articles and book chapters. He has also delivered numerous keynote presentations and conference papers.

Professor Cheung has been active in community and public service, having held major positions including: Non-Official Member of the Executive Council (2005-2012); Chairman of the Consumer Council (2007-2012); Chairman of the Pay Trend Survey Committee (2007); Board member of Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation (2007-17); and Member of the Legislative Council and Chairman of its Education Panel (1995-1997). Since November 2017 he has been appointed Chairman of the Committee on Self-financing Post-secondary Education, Member of the Education Commission and University Grants Committee. He also chairs a government task force to review self-financing post-secondary education in 2017-18.

Professor Cheung was Secretary for Transport and Housing and Chairman of the Housing Authority from July 2012 to June 2017.