Professor Qun Chen has been named Assistant Director-General for Education at UNESCO. Director-General Khaled El-Enany announced the appointment, which brings an experienced academic and policymaker into a key global education leadership role.
Chen’s path to this role has been unique. With more than 30 years of experience in both academia and government, he combines scientific expertise with strong leadership skills. These qualities are especially important as education systems adapt to a fast-changing world.
Chen began his career at East China Normal University, a top academic institution in China. He started as a science scholar and soon became a tenured professor at a young age. Later, he served as Vice-President and then President of the university. While leading the university, he helped expand its global reach, especially through projects such as the International Education Park, which boosted academic exchange and attracted hundreds of international students each year.
Chen’s work has always reached beyond the university. He has worked with UNESCO for years, serving as a UNESCO Chair in Teacher Education and later as Chair of the Governing Board of the UNESCO Teacher Education Center. In these roles, he supported international cooperation in teacher training, a key factor in lasting educational reform.
Chen later moved into public service. From 2017 to 2023, he served as Deputy Mayor of Shanghai, overseeing not only education but also social and legal affairs. In Shanghai, a city known for policy innovation, he helped improve education systems and connect them with wider social goals.
During this time, he helped establish UNESCO’s International Institute for STEM Education, underscoring the growing importance of science and technology in education.
As Chen takes on his new role at UNESCO, he is expected to help guide global education priorities. As education systems worldwide face pressure to change, issues such as access, fairness, and the teaching of advanced skills have become urgent priorities.
Chen holds a PhD in physics and has experience in both research and practical leadership. His appointment shows a continued focus on working across borders, encouraging interdisciplinary learning, and supporting education that helps societies grow, stay stable, and remain peaceful.
This appointment is more than just a change in leadership. It highlights that the future of education depends on leaders who understand both its roots and its potential.
