Duke Kunshan University will welcome a new chancellor for the first time, Duke announced in a news release Friday morning.
Feng Youmei, who will become one of the few female chancellors in China, will take the helm of the university Sept. 1 as its second leader, succeeding outgoing Chancellor Liu Jingnan.
Since 2012, Feng has been the executive vice president of Wuhan University, Duke's partner school in the international endeavor that was approved by China's Ministry of Education in September 2013. In that role, she has been involved with DKU's formation and is the executive vice president of its board of trustees, according to the release.
The new chancellor is set to take over as DKU kicks off the first year of its undergraduate degree program, which brought more than 250 students to the Kunshan campus earlier this month.
“This year, Duke Kunshan welcomes its inaugural class of undergraduate students from all over the world, marking a new stage in the school’s development," Feng said in the release. "At this important turning point, I feel deeply grateful and proud. I also feel great responsibility. ”
Liu, whom Feng is replacing, will return to research and teaching after having served in the role for six years.
“We are so grateful to Chancellor Liu for his leadership, which was instrumental to making Duke Kunshan a reality," President Vincent Price said in the release. "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."
Feng's primary research focus involves cardiovascular disease pathogenesis, and she has received a special stipend by the State Council since 1997. She has been the vice chairwoman for the Medical Education Committee for the China Association of Higher Education.
“Duke Kunshan is such a young and exceptional university,” Feng stated in the release. “I look forward to working together with all parties to establish a modern university system with Chinese characteristics, to build a world-class research university, and to cultivate outstanding talents who will play a leading role on the world stage.”
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