Prof. Feng Youmei, the Executive Vice President of Wuhan University, was appointed Chancellor of Duke Kunshan University and hence becomes one of a few female university chancellors in China. Liu Jingnan, DKU’s first Chancellor and member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, will resume his work in teaching and research after serving as Chancellor for six years.
Duke University President Vincent E. Price thanked Liu for his dedication to Duke Kunshan’s development. “We are so grateful to Chancellor Liu for his leadership, which was instrumental to making Duke Kunshan a reality. It is fitting that he finished his term as we prepared for the first undergraduates to arrive on campus, a moment that reflects his tireless work and marks the beginning of Duke Kunshan’s great future,” Price said.
“We are delighted that he will be handing the reins to Feng Youmei, who will be a visionary leader for this next stage in Duke Kunshan’s development,” Price added. “I look forward to working with Chancellor Feng to continue Duke Kunshan’s success.”
“The establishment of Duke Kunshan University is a great way to explore the integration of Chinese and Western higher education,” said Wuhan University President Dou Xiankang. “I believe Professor Feng Youmei will live up to everyone’s expectations and, with the full support of all parties involved, lead Duke Kunshan to becoming one of the world’s leading research universities.”
Duke University Provost Sally Kornbluth noted Feng’s deep involvement in Duke Kunshan’s achievements, adding, “With Chancellor Feng bringing her strong leadership skills and her deep thinking of and rich experience in higher education management and reform to Duke Kunshan, the university’s future is indeed bright.”
Denis Simon, executive vice chancellor of Duke Kunshan, called his experience working with Liu “a true collaborative partnership”. “His pursuit of innovative breakthroughs and his rigorous and pragmatic work style are admirable. I believe Liu’s vision for building a true liberal arts university in China will be realized here at Duke Kunshan. Also, I look forward to working with my longtime friend, Professor Feng Youmei, at Duke Kunshan. I believe that cooperating together we will write a next chapter in the development of this university.”
"Under the leadership of Chancellor Liu Jingnan, Duke Kunshan University has made many remarkable achievements, creating an admirable starting point for future development.” Feng noted, “The young Duke Kunshan University, with the advanced educational philosophy and the strong academic power supported by Duke University and Wuhan University, is determined to make further progress and innovation. I look forward to working together with all parties to establish a world-class research university and to cultivate innovative talents who will play a leading role on the world stage”.
Duke Kunshan University, co-founded by Duke University, Wuhan University and Municipal Government of Kunshan City, was approved by China’s Ministry of Education in September 2013. After hosting graduate programs for four years, Duke Kunshan welcomed its first class of undergraduate students in August.
With its Master’s programs (including Master of Science in Global Health, Master of Science in Medical Physics, Master of Management Studies and Master of Environment Policy), Undergraduate Global Learning Semester and Undergraduate Degree Program, Duke Kunshan University has been kept exploring innovative teaching pattern and constructing new cultivating mode for interdisciplinary talents.
(Rewritten by Zheng Xiaoxia, Edited by Zheng Lingling, Shen Yuxi, Hu Sijia)
Related link: https://dukekunshan.edu.cn/en/news/feng-youmei-be-new-chancellor-duke-kunshan-university
