Peking University Appoints Chemist Gao Song as New President
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China has appointed prominent chemist Gao Song as the new president of Peking University, returning a long-time academic veteran to the helm of one of the country’s most prestigious higher-education institutions.
According to the Ministry of Education, Gao succeeds Gong Qihuang, who is stepping down as the university’s president and deputy party secretary. Officials announced the leadership change during a faculty and cadre meeting on May 23.
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- DIGEST HUB
- Chemist Gao Song appointed president of Peking University, succeeding Gong Qihuang.
- Gao, 62, spent 37 years at the university; previously led South China Tech and Sun Yat-sen University.
- He faced a 2017 reprimand for attending an unauthorized banquet.
- 1964-02:
- Gao Song was born.
- 1985:
- Gao earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry at Peking University.
- 1988:
- Gao earned his master's degree and became an assistant professor at Peking University.
- 1991:
- Gao earned his doctorate at Peking University.
- 1999:
- Gao reached full professorship at Peking University at age 35.
- 2000–2010:
- Gao held leadership roles in the College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, eventually serving as its dean.
- 2007:
- Gao was elected to the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
- 2012:
- Gao moved into university administration as provost, vice president, and dean of the graduate school at Peking University.
- 2015-07:
- Gong Qihuang became executive deputy dean of the graduate school while Gao was vice president, provost, and graduate school dean.
- 2017-04:
- Gao was reprimanded with an admonitory talk for attending an unauthorized banquet, as per a Central Commission for Discipline Inspection report.
- 2017-07:
- Gong Qihuang was appointed vice president of Peking University.
- 2018-04:
- Gao was elevated to executive vice president of Peking University.
- 2018-10:
- Gao relocated to Guangzhou to become president of the South China University of Technology.
- 2021-11:
- Gao was promoted to a vice-ministerial rank as president of Sun Yat-sen University.
- 2022:
- Gong was elected as an alternate member of the 20th Central Committee.
- 2022-06:
- Gong Qihuang became president of Peking University.
- 2023-02:
- Gong delivered a presentation on strengthening basic research during a Politburo collective study session.
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