The Silk-Road Universities Network (SUN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Prof. Qian Long Kweh from the School of Management at Canadian University Dubai as the new President of the International Association for Silk-Road Studies (IASS) for the year 2026.
Prof. Kweh will lead the IASS throughout his tenure from January 1 to December 31, 2026. With his extensive academic expertise and leadership, we look forward to further strengthening the "Silkroadia" spirit promoting harmony, academic exchange, and peaceful cooperation among member universities worldwide.
Please join us in welcoming Prof. Qian Long Kweh to his new role.
President of IASS 2026
Prof. Qian Long Kweh
School of Management, Canadian University Dubai
Biographical Sketch:
Qian Long Kweh is a Professor at the School of Management, Canadian University Dubai,
specializing in accounting, performance analytics, and sustainability-related research. His
work focuses on firm performance, efficiency measurement, business strategy, and corporate
governance, with particular application of advanced quantitative methods such as Data
Envelopment Analysis (DEA).
He has established an international research profile, with publications in leading peer-
reviewed journals and recognition for research excellence. His research is positioned at the
intersection of sustainability, governance, and measurable performance outcomes, with a
strong emphasis on translating complex ESG dynamics into decision-relevant insights for
both academic and policy contexts.
In addition to his research contributions, he is actively involved in academic leadership and
research development. His work centers on building structured research ecosystems,
developing interdisciplinary collaboration, and strengthening institutional research
positioning. He focuses on creating scalable research pipelines and aligning academic output
with global sustainability and innovation priorities.
His current agenda emphasizes the development of impact-oriented research frameworks that
connect sustainability, innovation, and organizational performance, while contributing to
internationally collaborative platforms designed to generate measurable academic and
societal outcomes.
Statement as President of IASS:
The International Association for Silk-Road Studies (IASS) will move beyond being a
platform for exchange and position itself as a system that delivers measurable academic and
policy outcomes. The relevance of the Silk-Road Universities Network (SUN) lies not in its
history, but in its ability to support structured, interdisciplinary work that produces real
impact.
As President, the priority is to shift from fragmented activities to coordinated research efforts
with clear outputs. Collaboration will be organized through focused thematic clusters, each
operating with defined roles, shared responsibilities, and expected deliverables to ensure
continuity and depth.
Research quality and output will be central. Emphasis will be placed on joint publications in
reputable journals and collaborative grant submissions, with the objective of generating work
that is not only visible but actively recognized and used within the academic community.
At the same time, IASS will strengthen engagement with industry and policy stakeholders.
Research must be connected to real challenges, with outputs that inform decision-making and
support practical implementation. This will be supported by clear governance, defined
responsibilities, and a structured annual plan with measurable outcomes to ensure
accountability and sustained progress.
The aim is to position IASS as a credible and productive platform that delivers results. By
focusing on structure, output, and impact, IASS will contribute meaningfully to research and
policy dialogue across the SUN network.
Best Regards,
Qian Long Kweh
