On May 25–26, the 11th World Women University Presidents Forum was held in Zhengzhou, China. The forum was jointly hosted by the organizing committee of World Women University Presidents Forum, Communication University of China, and Huanghe S&T University, with co-sponsorship from the Jiangsu Sino-Foreign University Female Presidents Education Development Foundation. Over 200 guests from 60 countries and regions engaged in in-depth discussions and built consensus around the theme Multicultural Backgrounds and Common Development: The Responsibilities of Higher Education Leaders The forum received strong support from organizations such as China Education Television and Women Leadership Academy.
The opening ceremony was attended by distinguished guests including Gu Xiulian, Director of China National Committee for the Wellbeing of the Next Generation, Vice Chairwoman of the 10th National People's Congress Standing Committee, and Chairwoman of the 9th All-China Women’s Federation, attended the opening ceremony alongside Irina Bokova, former Director-General of UNESCO; Sun Meijun, Deputy Secretary of the Henan Provincial Party Committee; Zhang Dongmei, Vice Chairwoman and Secretary of the Secretariat of the All-China Women’s Federation; Liu Limin, President of the China Education Association for International Exchange and former Vice Minister of Education; Li Weihong, former Vice Minister of Education; Gülsün Sağlamer, former President of the European Women Rectors Association; and Ma Dexiu, Advisor to the World Women University Presidents Forum Organizing Committee and former Chairperson of the Council of Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
The World Women University Presidents Forum (WWUPF) was launched by Communication University of China (originally Beijing Broadcast Institute) in August 2001, aiming to pool the strength of women university presidents all over the world and to create an international platform for them to communicate and collaborate, and to share new ideas and thoughts in the fields of higher education development and women leadership promotion. The forum holds its main forums in China every two to three years, with sub-forums convened in various locations around the world during the interim periods. WWUPF has successfully held eleven main forums in China and eleven sub-forums.
Opening Ceremony
Gu Xiulian emphasized that understanding, tolerance, and appreciation are the three key steps in cultural exchange. Promoting the exchange, communication, and harmonious coexistence of diverse cultures is not only the responsibility of education but also a significant mission of higher education.
Irina Bokova pointed out that cultivating a new generation of talent capable of addressing current challenges requires efforts in three key areas: sustainable development, critical thinking and curiosity, and global citizenship.
Liu Limin delivered a speech and put forward several proposals to promote the high-quality development of higher education.
Fernando Garcia analyzed the challenges and opportunities facing higher education institutions today.
Zhang Dongmei highlighted the Chinese government’s strong commitment to women's development and shared China’s experiences and achievements in advancing educational equity and the high-quality development of women’s education.
Zhang Shuting, President of the Communication University of China, delivered a welcome speech on behalf of the forum’s organizers.
The opening ceremony was hosted by Cai Hua, Chairperson of the Women Leadership Academy. and former Deputy Secretary-General of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee.
Keynote Speeches
The first half of the keynote speeches was chaired by Jin Nuo, former Party Secretary of Renmin University of China and advisor to the World Women University Presidents Forum Organizing Committee.
Li Peng, President of Zhengzhou University and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivered a keynote speech titled “International Openness Under the Concept of ‘Making Every Student Better’.”
Deborah Kayembe, former Chair of the University Court of the University of Edinburgh, presented a keynote speech titled “Together for the Making of a Better World.”
Feng Youmei, former President of Duke Kunshan University, gave a keynote speech on “Engaging in Educational Innovation to Foster Globally-minded Talent.”
Sondan Durukanoglu Feyiz, Vice President of the European Women Rectors Association and President of KadirHas University, Turkey, delivered a speech titled “Empowering Women to Take on Leadership Roles in Academia.”
María Estrada, Rector of the Costa Rica Institute of Technology and Regional， Vice President of the Central America of IOHE sharing insights in her keynote speech “ School-Running Experience and Educational Wisdom, case Tecnológico de Costa Rica.”
The second half of the keynote speeches was chaired by Ma Dexiu, former Party Secretary of Shanghai Jiao Tong University and advisor to the World Women University Presidents Forum Organizing Committee.
Rose Y. Tseng, former Chancellor of the University of Hawai'i at Hilo, delivered a keynote speech titled “My Experience in Creating Community Impact with Global Vision in Higher Education.”
Prof. Fanny M Cheung, former Vice President of Chinese University of Hong Kong, presented a keynote speech on “The Transformation of Higher Education in a Smart Society.”
Datuk Siti Hamisah Binti Tapsir, Vice-Chancellor of UCSI University, Malaysia, gave a speech titled “Fostering Gender Equality in Academic Leadership: Empowering Women with Artificial Intelligence and Openness in Higher Education in Malaysia.”
Melinda Kovacevic, former Vice Rector of the University of Zagreb, Croatia, spoke on “Gender Equality in Research and Innovation: From Policy to Tailored Research-Reforming Research Culture and Research Assessment.”
Verna Yiu, Provost and Vice President of the University of Alberta, Canada, delivered a video keynote speech titled “’Good Enough’ Is NOT Enough.”
Thematic Forum
During the five thematic forums, guests engaged in in-depth discussions and exchanges on topics such as “Openness of Higher Education and the Continuity of Civilization,” “The Shared Vision of Humanity and Liberal Education,” “The Evolution of Intelligent Society and Educational Forms,” and “Sharing of School-running Experience and Educational Wisdom.” They shared their research and reflections, drawing on the specific contexts of their respective countries, regions, and universities.
Round-table Meeting
The round-table meeting was hosted by María Estrada, President of the Costa Rica Institute of Technology and Vice President of the Central America Region of the Pan American Association of Higher Education, Central America, and Wen Chunying, Executive Director of the Asia Media Research Center at Communication University of China.
Ten guests shared their insights on the topic of Leadership in Higher Education within Multicultural Contexts, discussing aspects such as Education and The Formation of Students’ Awareness of Intercultural Understanding—Focus on Liberal Arts Education, Enhancing Women’s Leadership in the Digital Age, and The Inheritance and Expression of Chinese Civilization and Cultural Genes in Contemporary Higher Education.
Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony of the forum was hosted by Chen Weijia, Executive Vice Chairman of the World Women University Presidents Forum Organizing Committee, former Chairperson of Communication University of China, and former Director of the Division of Universities Directly under the Administration of Ministry of Education.
Prof. Shahbaz Khan, UNESCO Director of Regional Science Bureau for Asia, delivered a closing speech via video.
Gulsun Saglamer, former President of the European Women Rectors Association gave a speech at the closing ceremony.
Chia-lin Cheng, Honorary Chairperson of Shih Hsin University, addressed the attendees at the closing ceremony.
Liu Jinan, Chairperson of the World Women University Presidents Forum Organizing Committee, delivered the closing remarks. She stated that education is a cause that integrates knowledge and action, passing on ideals and putting them into practice.
At the closing ceremony, all attendees unanimously adopted the Zhengzhou Declaration.
The Zhengzhou Declaration confirmed that the 12th World Women University Presidents Forum will be co-hosted in 2026 by Communication University of China, Tianjin College of Media & Arts, and Hebei Institute of Communications. Yang Yi, Vice President of Communication University of China, extended the invitation at the closing ceremony.
The 11th World Forum of Women University Presidents concluded with the forum's theme song The Light of Women.
The forum has attracted widespread attention from all sectors of society and the media. Media outlets such as Xinhua News Agency, People’s Daily Online, Guangming Online, China Education Television, China Youth Daily, Henan Daily, Henan Radio and Television, Dahe Daily, Zhengzhou Daily, Sina.com, Phoenix News, Dahe.net, and Global Times, as well as key media platforms from Communication University of China, Huanghe Science and Technology College, and the Henan Provincial Department of Education, have covered the forum in various forms.
