University of Hong Kong president Xiang Zhang will step down in 2028 after about 10 years in the post. He denied seeking a third term, describing the claim as “totally, completely false”.
Zhang said he had not discussed pursuing another term with the chairman of the university council in recent months. The council began a global search for the next president the day after he announced his departure.
He said he had announced his plans early to give HKU enough time to identify a suitable successor. Zhang said the university was ready for new ideas and that a change in leadership could help it move into the next stage of its transformation.
Before leaving, Zhang said his main focus would be governance and institutional reform. He said some of the university’s administrative and management systems remained outdated, and that modernising them and improving efficiency would help HKU attract and retain leading academics.
Zhang acknowledged that his tenure had included low points, setbacks, fatigue and frustration, particularly over communication during the reform process. He said he had never considered giving up and had remained focused on helping HKU become a world-class or globally leading university.
HKU has spent the past year revising its self-insured medical benefits model. It plans to move to a more comprehensive group medical insurance scheme in autumn 2026, which Zhang said was expected to improve coverage for more than 16,000 employees and their family members.
The university also plans to establish an artificial intelligence hub in autumn 2026. The centre is intended to promote collaboration across disciplines and explore how artificial intelligence can be incorporated into traditional subjects.
Zhang said it was too early to discuss how his record would be judged, adding that he hoped all sides would make that assessment when he leaves. The university council’s global recruitment process for his successor began after his announcement.