CLOUD Special Issue 16｜A Decade in the Making: Building, Witnessing and Commitment (2016–2026)
2026.06.15
For a university, a decade may represent just one chapter in its development. For an educational reform initiative, it may not be long enough to reveal its full impact. Yet for partnerships built across regions and cultures, for the trust cultivated between people, and for an international institution that has grown from an idea into action, ten years are enough to leave behind many stories worth revisiting.
On 8 June 2026, UNESCO-ICHEI marks its 10th anniversary, while CLOUD celebrates five years since its founding. As a special commemorative issue, this edition turns its attention to the people, partnerships and defining moments that have shaped the institution's journey. Through their reflections and recollections, it traces a decade-long journey of building, witnessing and keeping watch.
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Highlights
Founding Chapter
The founding of UNESCO-ICHEI was made possible through collective commitment of multiple stakeholders. With the joint support of UNESCO, the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, and Southern University of Science and Technology, this endeavor of "built something from nothing" was able to take root and grow. Through reflections of those who witnessed and shaped its early developmen, including Mr. TANG Qian, former Assistant Director-General for Education at UNESCO, and Professor LI Ming, Founding Director of UNESCO-ICHEI, readers are invited to rediscover the sense of purpose, perseverance and belief that guided the institution's formative years.
Multilateral Partnerships
The growth of UNESCO-ICHEI and the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) has been sustained by the long-term engagement and support of partners higher education institutions (HEIs) around the world. Through policy dialogue, capacity building, curriculum localisation and collaborative research, IIOE National Centres have helped translate global initiatives into local practice, becoming a cornerstone of this international ecosystem. In this issue, IIOE National Centres and partner HEIs in Egypt, Pakistan, Nigeria, Zambia and beyond reflect on our shared journey.
Industry-Academia Collaboration
Partnerships with industry have been a constant thread running through UNESCO-ICHEI's past decade. From the long-standing support of Huawei and Tencent, to collaboration with partners including WEDON Education on Smart Classroom projects, and the support of BYD and BGI Group in establishing the IIOE Higher Education Digitalisation Pioneer Case Award, many innovations have been shaped by the expertise, resources and commitment of industry partners. This special issue therefore brings together reflections from our industry partners.
People at UNESCO-ICHEI
At its heart, the story of any institution is a story of people. Throughout the preparation, establishment and development of UNESCO-ICHEI, numerous advisors and experts have generously shared their guidance and support. Successive leaders, colleagues and generations of young professionals have likewise devoted their energy and commitment, helping to shape the character and growth of the institution This issue of CLOUD brings together their messages, preserving the experiences, values and aspirations that have been passed from one generation to the next.
Words from the Editor-in-Chief
Mr. SHEN Xiaoli has long served as UNESCO-ICHEI's Chief Cultural Officer and Editor-in-Chief of CLOUD, shaped UNESCO-ICHEI's unique character in textual and visual communications. Viewed through a cultural lens, his Editor's Notes (see related post) stand among the most representative writings of its past decade.
Articles from CLOUD will be published progressively on the UNESCO-ICHEI's official website and social media platforms. We invite readers to explore, read, and engage in discussion.
Thank you for your continued support of CLOUD. We hope this issue will prove both informative and inspiring, and look forward to working together in fostering a more open and inclusive higher education landscape in the era of AI.
About CLOUD
CLOUD is an original quarterly magazine guided by UNESCO-ICHEI's mission to advance the digital transformation of higher education in developing countries. It presents a multi-perspective view of global developments and innovative practices, from digital transformation strategies to exemplary institutional cases, offering a visually engaging and accessible resource for higher-education innovation. "CLOUD" symbolises "connecting leaders online for university digital transformation". Published both in print and online, it provides an open, inclusive platform for information exchange among higher-education practitioners worldwide. As a two-way window linking Shenzhen with the world, the magazine is available in all six official languages of the United Nations.
