Duke Kunshan University will welcome Dr. Yunguo Liu as a new co-director on the governing board on October 8.

Liu will work with Shenglan Tang, director of DKU’s Global Health Research Center, to provide strategic leadership, oversee the recruitment and management of world-class faculty and staff, and expand academic and research activities in global health.

“Dr. Liu has a deep understanding of global health issues gained through a lifetime working in this field across a variety of roles. He will be a great asset to the university and I truly look forward to working with him,” said Tang.

“His joining the Global Health Research Center will facilitate and strengthen our collaboration, especially with Asia-Pacific countries where he had worked over the past 15 years as senior WHO technical officer and administrator.”

Liu worked for the Chinese Ministry of Health for twenty years, from 1988, where he held senior positions focused on national health policy, planning and program management, particularly of international health development projects.

He joined the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2008 as the representative for Laos, Cambodia and South Pacific countries, retiring in 2020 as director of the division of program management and deputy director for the WHO’s Western Pacific regional office. While at the WHO he led the organization in supporting countries to deliver advanced universal healthcare, combat disease and build preparedness for public health emergencies.

Liu said: “In joining Duke Kunshan, I look forward to working with the team and contributing to the university’s highest quality of education and research in the area of global health, which is of great benefit to people’s health and well-being.”

DKU Chancellor Youmei Feng added: “I have personally known Dr. Liu for a long time. He is a very accomplished, serious and rigorous worker whose rich experience will be very precious to Duke Kunshan University. We look forward to him joining us to help improve the school’s research and teaching capabilities.”