2025 3rd Session of Third Governing Board Convened
On 8 December 2025, the Third Session of UNESCO-ICHEI's Governing Board (GB) Meeting was successfully convened at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in Shenzhen, China. Conducted in a hybrid online–offline format, the meeting brought together Governing Board members from government agencies, universities, international organizations, enterprises, and academia. Discussions focused on UNESCO-ICHEI's 2025 work summary, budget implementation, and future plans, with the aim of building consensus and defining strategic priorities for 2026.
Mr. YANG Xueming, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chair Professor at SUSTech, Chair of the Governing Board of UNESCO-ICHEI, presided over the meeting. The participating GB members including (in alphabetical order): Mr. CHENG Jiangang, Professor at Institute of Education of Tsinghua University, Consultant of Educational Technology of UNESCO-ICHEI; Mr. JIN Haichi, Deputy Director of Higher Education Department of Shenzhen Municipal Education Bureau; Mr. JIN Li, Director of UNESCO-ICHEI, Vice President of SUSTech; Mr. QIN Changwei, Secretary-General of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO; Mr. TANG Qian, Chairman of the International Advisory Committee of UNESCO-ICHEI, Former Assistant Director-General for Education of UNESCO; Mr. WANG Duanrui, Chairman of the Hong Kong Indusry and Commerce Association and President of Hong Kong Wedon Demos Group; Mr. Shahbaz Khan, Director of UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia. Also present at the meeting were Mr. LI Ming, Founding Director of UNESCO-ICHEI and Secretary-General of the IIOE Secretariat; Ms. HAN Wei, Former Executive Deputy Director of UNESCO-ICHEI and Executive Deputy Secretary-General of the IIOE Secretariat; Ms. BI Xiaohan, Deputy Director of UNESCO-ICHEI; Mr. PAN Feng, Deputy Director of UNESCO-ICHEI and other relevant colleagues.
On-site Photo of GB Meeting
Mr. YANG Xueming, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chair Professor at Southern University of Science and Technology, Chair of the Governing Board of UNESCO-ICHEI
Mr. JIN Li presented the 2025 annual work report. He highlighted that, over the past year, UNESCO-ICHEI leveraged Shenzhen's strengths in the digital industry and China's experience in higher education innovation to focus on the IIOE platform as its core initiative. The organization advanced the establishment of a global higher education digital transformation alliance, jointly establishing IIOE National Centres and IIOE Training Centres worldwide, enhanced platform functionality with artificial intelligence (AI), and developed a comprehensive multilingual, multi-level training system. Through localized projects and training mechanisms, a replicable empowerment model has begun to take shape in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. UNESCO-ICHEI also achieved tangible results in fostering university–industry cooperation, hosting high-level policy dialogues, conducting regional joint research, and supporting the internationalization of Shenzhen and SUSTech, thereby expanding its global influence. Mr. JIN Li, Director of UNESCO-ICHEI and Vice President of SUSTech Mr. PAN Feng presented the 2025 budget implementation report. He noted that UNESCO-ICHEI's budget execution remained sound, with expenditures focused on core programme areas and managed rigorously and in compliance with standards. The organization has consistently received "Excellent" performance assessments for consecutive years. At the same time, proactive efforts to diversify funding sources have provided solid support for the sustainable development of its projects. Mr. PAN Feng, Deputy Director of UNESCO-ICHEI Ms. BI Xiaohan introduced the 2026 work plan. She emphasized that UNESCO-ICHEI will prioritize AI integration into the IIOE platform, strengthen industry-oriented curricula, and expand multilingual educational resources. The organization will continue to broaden partnerships in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and other key regions; deepen localized capacity-building models; enhance industry–academia innovation; and actively explore sustainable development pathways. Ms. BI Xiaohan, Deputy Director of UNESCO-ICHEI Following the reports, Governing Board members commended UNESCO-ICHEI's achievements in 2025 and offered constructive recommendations for its future direction. The Board emphasized the importance of seizing new opportunities in the coming year and building on existing momentum to advance the following priorities: Systematically summarize the integrated development model of IIOE—encompassing digital education research, institutional practice, policy advisory, and international cooperation—and expand digital cooperation in vocational education; Promote the digital transformation of higher education with renewed vigor and deepen collaboration with UNESCO's global networks; Leverage China's hosting of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen in 2026 to organize high-level conferences, deliver impactful events, and strengthen regional synergies; Align closely with UNESCO's strategic directions while enhancing IIOE brand building and international outreach; Ensure balanced development and deeper engagement, capitalizing on opportunities arising from the growth of higher education in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area; Expand global partnerships and diversify forms of cooperation to broaden impact; Strengthen collaboration with SUSTech and utilize the UNESCO-ICHEI's networks to support the internationalization of higher education in Shenzhen.
In his concluding remarks, Mr. YANG Xueming expressed gratitude to the board members for their support and suggestions. He emphasized the importance of fully taking the recommendations, refining plans, ensuring effective implementation, and steadily advancing the global digital transformation of higher education. On behalf of UNESCO-ICHEI, Mr. LI Ming thanked the Governing Board for its affirmation and guidance. He stated that UNESCO-ICHEI would carefully study and incorporate all opinions, with a focus on optimizing its development strategy in light of the opportunity presented by serving the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen. This includes deepening project cooperation in various regions, expanding "AI + Industry"-oriented course resources, and strengthening collaboration with SUSTech and higher education institutions in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area. With the support of all parties, UNESCO-ICHEI will continue to advance the global digitalization of higher education in a pragmatic and sustainable manner.
Professor LI Ming, Founding Director of UNESCO-ICHEI & Secretary-General of the IIOE Secretariat
