University of Hong Kong (HKU) President and Vice-Chancellor Zhang Xiang announced early Monday (July 27) that he will step down from his roles upon completing his 10-year tenure in 2028.
In a letter addressed to members of the HKU community, Zhang said he believes the university needs to embrace new ideas and requires "a new leader" to guide its next phase of transformation.
He also said that, as a scientist and professor, he is eager to return to the laboratory to tackle scientific challenges and contribute to society. He said he wished to inform stakeholders well in advance so the university would have sufficient time to identify its next leader.
Reflecting on his ninth year as president, Zhang said the world is facing an increasingly complex and rapidly changing environment, while the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming human life on an unprecedented scale. These developments, he said, have prompted him to rethink how universities should redefine education in an era of human-AI coexistence and reform traditional teaching systems to meet future challenges.
Looking back on his tenure, Zhang described it as the greatest honour of his lifetime to work alongside HKU's faculty and students in strengthening the university's academic standing.
He noted that HKU has risen to 11th place globally and first in Asia in the latest QS World University Rankings. The university has also reached a record high in the number of Highly Cited Researchers recognized by Clarivate, reflecting its growing research strength.
Zhang said he hopes to "continue this path with you" over the next two years and will continue advancing major initiatives, including the completion of Tech Landmark, the Pokfield Campus, the Global Innovation Centre (GIC), and HKU campuses in Shanghai and Europe.
In closing, Zhang thanked HKU stakeholders, the University Council, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and the central government for their continued support of both the university and his leadership. He said their ongoing backing will be essential in helping HKU become "truly world-leading."
Zhang was appointed as HKU's 17th president by the University Council in 2017 and officially assumed office in July 2018, succeeding Peter Mathieson, who stepped down before the end of his term in 2018. Zhang became the first HKU president born outside HK. His initial five-year term concluded in 2023, when then-Council Chairman Arthur Li announced a five-year extension through 2028.
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