Former UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova Visits Sun Yat-sen University Institute of Advanced Studies Hong Kong

On the morning of March 1, 2026, Ms. Irina Bokova, the 9th Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), visited Sun Yat-sen University Institute of Advanced Studies Hong Kong (IASHK) for a meeting and exchange of views.

Participants included Dean Anlong Xu and Executive Vice Dean Liheng Zhang of IASHK; Mr. Jiasheng Liu, the Chairman of Yiyue Investment Group and the Founder of Shengsheng Philanthropic Charitable Trust; Mr. Peiyu Liang, the Co-founding Co-President of the Asia Education Technology and Cultural Foundation and the Vice President of the Sun Yat-sen University United Alumni Association (Hong Kong); and Ms. Peng Ji, the Vice President of the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association.

Dean Anlong Xu welcomed Ms. Bokova and her delegation on behalf of IASHK and introduced the Institute's development progress and vision. He noted that, leveraging Hong Kong's position as an international platform, IASHK is committed to building an academic hub that attracts top global talent, advancing frontier scientific and technological innovation, and promoting the internationalization of higher education through openness and collaboration. By integrating innovation resources from the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area and around the world, IASHK seeks to explore new pathways in scientific research, talent development, and the translation of research outcomes, contributing to global scientific and technological advancement.

Ms. Bokova expressed appreciation for IASHK's development progress and vision. She emphasized that “science is open” and that, in today's global environment, scientific development should transcend national boundaries and promote international cooperation and knowledge sharing. She noted that IASHK, leveraging Hong Kong's international platform and its commitment to openness, inclusiveness, and attracting talent, provides an important platform for advancing open scientific collaboration. She also stressed that, in an era of rapid technological progress, greater attention should be given to the humanities to promote balanced development between technological advancement and humanistic values.

During the discussion, Executive Vice Dean Liheng Zhang exchanged views with Ms. Bokova on attracting international talent and advancing international cooperation. Ms. Bokova suggested that IASHK explore opportunities for collaboration with the UNESCO International Institute for STEM Education. She noted that both institutions share similar visions for promoting scientific innovation and international development. By strengthening collaboration, they could jointly foster a mutually reinforcing relationship among education, science and technology, and talent development, making positive contributions to global talent cultivation and scientific and technological progress.