UMAC BOARD ELECTIONS 2025-2028

Candidate for: Vice Chair

Zhao Ke

Electronic Science and Technology Museum, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC)

ICOM No. 90022

Nominators: Andrew Simpson (Australia), Dominick Verschelde (Belgium)

 I am ZHAO Ke, Director of the Electronic Science and Technology Museum (ESTM) at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC). I currently serve as a Board Member of UMAC, Chair of the UMAC Futures working group, and Editorial Board Member of UMACJ.

Museums have been my window to the world since childhood. Armed with an interdisciplinary PhD in Biomedical Engineering and Microelectronics, I led the team to establish the ESTM, China’s first comprehensive museum of electronics from the ground up. Following field research at 49 European university museums, we renovated the buildings, curated exhibitions, and collected over 15,000 artifacts.

In 2018, I undertook a six-month European study tour to deepen exchanges with international colleagues. Proud of founding China’s first museum of electronics within a university, I am committed to integrating its knowledge into education through the “History of Electronic Science and Technology” course series and “Museum+” classrooms, extending its reach to a broader audience.

My journey with UMAC began at the 2017 Training Week. Following my presentation at UMAC 2018 Miami, I have presented at every annual conference, fueling my dedication to expanding UMAC’s global reach.

My candidacy for VP is built upon strategic leadership and concrete contributions, centered on three key initiatives:

1. As founding Co-chair of the UMAC Futures working group, with Hakim and Michelle, I have cultivated a global network for early-career professionals since 2019. Under my leadership, it has become a vibrant platform for exchange, fostering sustained youth participation and nurturing the next generation of university museum leaders, with an increasingly diverse membership joining the UMAC family.
2. I initiated the “IMAGINATIONS” interview project on the UMAC YouTube channel in 2021 and have run it ever since. Launched during the pandemic, the interview series aims to maintain global dialogue, and I have interviewed 26 scholars from 22 university museums worldwide. It creates a unique global archive, and strengthens community identity. The forthcoming book, compiled from these efforts and set to be launched at ICOM 2025 Dubai, is an achievement resulting from the efforts of global scholars.
3. Building on the UMAC World Database, I spearheaded the development and maintenance of the UMuseum app, a global mobile database. Since 2019, I have secured annual operational funding (€4,000 annually) for its servers and updates. And I actively guide its yearly technical evolution with new features and enhancements.

Beyond these projects, my experience as a museum director who built a museum and my background in science and engineering, combined with my earlier role as President of the UESTC Student Union, have equipped me with strategic planning and project management skills. I have secured substantial funding, managed over 16 complex projects, published 40+ academic papers, and authored five books. Deeply embedded in the international museum community, I frequently organize and chair meetings and deliver keynote addresses. My work serves as a bridge between theory and practice, and I am prepared to leverage this experience to perform the duties of Vice President.

 University museums, as vital instruments of culture, require greater visibility. UMAC, as an outstanding organization, deserves far more—it deserves to be showcased to the world.

If elected Vice President, I will leverage UMAC’s established successful projects to enhance the organization’s global influence, inclusivity, and capacity for innovation.

1. Lead the AI upgrade of the UMuseum app to build a real-time and reliable global database. I will champion the integration of AI technologies—supported by my 4 authorized patents and 2 published papers in the AI field—to enable automatic discovery of new institutions and their activities, while establishing a liaison-driven validation framework to ensure data accuracy. This initiative will solidify UMAC’s position as the leading platform for authoritative and dynamic global data in our field.
2. Institutionalize support for the UMAC Futures working group to build a more dynamic global network. I will promote the establishment of a “Continental Liaisons” system to strengthen outreach in underrepresented regions, facilitate peer mentorship, and co-organize regional workshops—including a dedicated session on OBL/OBT in China or Asia—making UMAC’s resources more accessible worldwide.
3. Deepen collaboration with various committees and promote the diversified dissemination of knowledge resources. I will actively strengthen partnerships with other International and National Committees to ensure the continued success of global exchanges and academic events. Simultaneously, I will drive the IMAGINATIONS project beyond its video and book form, transforming its content into digestible resources tailored for social media and the UMAC website to stimulate broader and sustained discussion.

Furthermore, I will provide steadfast support to the President and the Board in jointly implementing the UMAC strategic plan. I am committed to fully assisting in advancing the organization’s strategic objectives, ensuring our shared vision is translated into executable and impactful outcomes.

The core of my candidacy is “Technology · Connection · Future.”  This means deploying new technology to serve our community, fostering meaningful global connections, and building a sustainable, forward-looking organization where every member has a voice.

With years of experience in initiating and sustaining projects, I will serve all UMAC members with the same dedication and strategic foresight, working together to drive continuous progress that is both innovative and inclusive.