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Ambrose Li

University of Hong Kong (HKU) president and vice-chancellor Xiang Zhang has announced he will step down in 2028 after completing a second five-year term, according to an email seen by the South China Morning Post.
In the email, sent to the university community in the early hours of Monday, Zhang described the past eight years spent working to elevate HKU’s academic standing as “a defining honour” of his life.
Two members of the university’s governing council told the SCMP that Zhang’s departure would be discussed at a meeting on Tuesday.
In his email, Zhang also reflected on the university’s future in “a complicated, rapidly changing world marked by polarised views and conflicts”, saying the institution would have to meet the challenges brought by artificial intelligence.
“I have realised that it is time for HKU to embrace fresh ideas and for a new leader to guide this great transformation,” Zhang said.
“I remain a scientist and a professor at heart. I yearn to return to my laboratory, to answer profound scientific questions, and to make a societal impact.
“Therefore, I am announcing my decision to retire from the presidency and vice-chancellorship after I complete my 10-year tenure in 2028.”
Zhang added that he had informed the council chairman of his decision, giving the university “ample time to search for its next leader”.
He highlighted the university’s rise to 11th in the world and first in Asia in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) global rankings.
The number of HKU researchers on the list of highly cited researchers compiled by global data analytics company Clarivate had also tripled to 54, while 15 of the institution’s academic disciplines ranked among the world’s top 20, he said.
Looking ahead to the final stretch of his tenure, Zhang said the institution would “match intellectual growth with an expanded physical footprint”.
He cited HKU’s two new development projects in Pok Fu Lam – the Tech Landmark research complex, which is nearing completion, and the Global Innovation Centre – as well as its growing presence in Shanghai and planned campus in Europe.
Zhang took over as president and vice-chancellor from Professor Peter Mathieson in 2018 and his tenure was extended for another five years in 2023.
He led the university through the 2019 anti-government protests and the shutdown during the Covid-19 pandemic a year later.


Zhang, 62, is the first HKU head born in mainland China.
He became embroiled in several controversies including accusations that he had bypassed procedures, appointed people to senior positions without due process and engaged in other misconduct.
He allegedly bypassed procedures to replace a work vehicle with a HK$2 million (US$255,400) BMW of his choice, and was also accused of mishandling donations from a mainland corporation in 2023.
Zhang was further accused of hiring a headhunter from the United States to recruit a pro-vice-chancellor for institutional advancement and a medical dean, and requiring the candidates to have experience at an American university.
HKU said the donations complied with both Hong Kong and mainland laws, rejecting accusations of money laundering. It also said it was common practice for the university to hire a multinational headhunter to recruit international talent.
Zhang repeatedly clashed with then-council chairwoman, Priscilla Wong Pui-Sze, who set up a five-member panel to investigate the allegations.
He accused “rumour-mongers” of leaking confidential HKU information, taking it out of context and twisting the truth to target him and the university, while his supporters argued that the intensity of the investigation was disproportionate to the claims levelled against him.
They also criticised the council chairwoman, saying she had taken an overly hands-on approach and accusing her of unnecessarily escalating the complaints while capitalising on frustrations aired by Zhang’s critics.
He was cleared of the allegations in 2024.


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Education

In email sent to university community, Zhang says he wishes to return to laboratory work after ‘defining honour’ of leadership role at HKU


In email sent to university community, Zhang says he wishes to return to laboratory work after ‘defining honour’ of leadership role at HKU.


Xiang Zhang

Quacquarelli Symonds

The University of Hong Kong

HKU president Xiang Zhang to step down in 2028 at end of second 5-year term

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}In email sent to university community, Zhang says he wishes to return to laboratory work after ‘defining honour’ of leadership role at HKU

In email sent to university community, Zhang says he wishes to return to laboratory work after ‘defining honour’ of leadership role at HKU