University of Hong Kong chief Zhang Xiang to step down in 2028 to focus on research
The University of Hong Kongβs (HKU) President and Vice-Chancellor Zhang Xiang has said he will step down in 2028 and return to the laboratory to focus on research.
The 62-year-old Chinese-American mechanical engineer said in a letter to the university community that he had informed the governing HKU Council of his decision, so a successor could be found.
Zhang said it was an honour to lead HKU, citing the transformative impact of AI and the challenges of a complex global environment for his decision.
He said he would continue to push for research and campus development during the final two years of his ten-year term. He will focus on the Tech Landmark, the Pokfield Road campus, the Global Innovation Centre, and campus projects in Shanghai and Europe, according to The Standard.
Chequered tenure
During Zhangβs tenure, the cityβs leading university rose to 11th globally in the QS World University Rankings and first in Asia.
The institute also set a new record last year with 54 academics named in Clarivateβs βHighly Cited Researchers 2025β list.
However, HKU has also faced scandals over the use of AI by academics and students, as well as criticism over censorship after a campus memorial to the Tiananmen crackdown dead was replaced with seating.
In 2024, he was cleared of misconduct after a 6-month internal investigation in which he was accused of mishandling funds and hiring a headhunter without following procurement procedures.
In 2020, he joined other university heads in publicly backing the national security law.