It is a great honor to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the China Institute for Educational Finance Research (CIEFR) on the occasion of its 20th anniversary.

Since its founding in 2005, CIEFR has become a leading institution in the field of education finance—combining rigorous academic research with influential policy analysis. Over the past two decades, it has made profound contributions to our understanding of how education systems are financed and how resources can be allocated most effectively to promote equity and quality. CIEFR’s scholars have informed major policy reforms and advanced the global knowledge base on the economics of education.

I have had the privilege of collaborating with CIEFR, including the 2018 Summer School we organized together while I was with the World Bank. That experience remains one of the most rewarding examples of international cooperation in education research and capacity building.

I extend my sincere appreciation to all of you—for your scholarship, your dedication, and your continuing commitment to improving education policy in China and around the world.

Congratulations on twenty years of remarkable achievement, and my best wishes for continued success in the years ahead.

Harry Anthony Patrinos

University of Arkansas

Formerly with the World Bank

Fayetteville, Arkansas

October 20, 2025

More than 20 years ago I learned about Professor Rong’s idea to establish a research center to conduct education finance studies, because, among other things, at that time different levels of government had gaps in their knowledge about financing in the education sector. And we discussed aspects like: (i) its justification, and certainly this was clear; (ii) the convenience of the architecture of a think tank for the research center, certainly this was clear; and (iii) the idea that it needed to look at the subject from a complementary academic perspective (with views and methodologies from different disciplines), certainly this was clear. Well, we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the China Institute for Educational Finance Research (CIEFR) as a leading Chinese think tank that has shown value added. It has improved data quality for analysis, has helped to understand how much China (governments and individuals) invest in the education sector, how funding relates to education equity, and it has shown the cost of achievement of the education system, helping in this way to define policies that have improved quality and equity of investments in the sector. 

These are significant achievements and I celebrate the Institute’s successes.

I also expect that some of you will be celebrating CIEFR’s 40th anniversary because there are many challenges ahead and many questions still need to be answered. I personally think that CIEFR will be in the scene by 2045 dealing with topics that need more research,  like cost-effectiveness of education interventions and some issues that we are not even aware of at this time. And I have the confidence that CIEFR will be there, helping China's education system.

See you one of these days to celebrate together.

Until then, bye my dear colleagues.

Eduardo Velez Bustillo

Dear colleagues

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the China Institute for Education Finance Research (CIEFR) at Peking University on the occasion of its 20th anniversary. Over the past two decades, CIEFR has established itself as one of the world’s leading research centers in the economics of education, making significant contributions not only to academic scholarship but also to policy and practice in China and beyond.

Since our cooperation began in 2012, I have been continually impressed by the Institute’s remarkable progress and its unwavering commitment to excellence. I fondly recall our joint book project, as well as the inspiring summer schools we organized together in Beijing and Russia. These collaborations have been both intellectually enriching and personally rewarding.

As CIEFR celebrates this important milestone, I wish the center continued success in nurturing outstanding students and pursuing challenging, impactful research ideas. I am confident in the Institute’s bright future and lasting influence, thanks in large part to the exceptional leadership of Professor Wang Rong. Professor Wang is not only one of the sharpest minds in the field but also a reliable friend and a source of inspiration to all who work with her. I wish her good health and boundless energy as she continues to guide CIEFR to new heights.

Congratulations once again on this remarkable anniversary. With courage to sail through waves and vision to climb ever higher, may your institute continue its voyage of discovery and excellence into the next era.

Professor  Isak Frumin

Head, Observatory of Higher Education Innovations, Constructor University Bremen, Germany

Professor, Department of Higher Education Research, University of Continuing Education, Krems, Austria

Fellow, International Academy of Education

Former Head of Institute of Education, HSE University Russia