Rector Jun Liu Assumed Office His Six Outlooks and Vision of Building an International Metropolitan University
Prof Jun Liu, an internationally renowned expert in Applied Linguistics and Intercultural Communication, assumed the office of Rector of the City University of Macau yesterday (1st). Based on the current achievements of the University, Rector Liu will continue to lead the University to broaden its international horizons, explore the future and connect to the world. On his first day in office, Rector Liu met with the faculty and staff at the 2021 Chinese New Year Spring Dinner & Rector’s Welcome Dinner. Council Chairman Chan Meng Kam welcomed Rector Liu on behalf of the University and hoped all at CityU would work in concert and forge ahead under the leadership of Rector Liu to strive for greater development of the University.
In his speech, Rector Liu said he was delighted about the current developments achieved by the University and hoped that with the efforts of everyone at the University, CityU people would continue to create a vibrant international campus. He also shared his outlooks on the University.
First, broaden international horizons. Place emphasis on the contents and functions of the humanities and social sciences disciplines in the information era, rapidly and effectively develop CityU into a new type of international metropolitan university with unique characteristics, creativity, competence, forward looking thinking and international influence.
Second, develop a school culture demonstrating cohesiveness and a sense of pride. Drive the development and formulate the macro blueprint of CityU based on the vision of the SAR government and the government’s guidelines and requirements for higher education. Give full play to the strengths of CityU people who are proactive, forge ahead by being united, working in concert, overcoming difficulties and rising up to challenges.
Third, improve academic programs. CityU will keep abreast of the economic and social development and the needs of the market, attach importance to developing forward looking programs that cater for the demands of the times, in particular interdisciplinary programs, leveraging the geographical and cultural uniqueness of Macao which is a melting pot of diversified cultures, building a platform for cross cultural exchanges in the areas such as social sciences, commerce, education and public health, creating conditions conducive to the employment of talent.
Fourth, foster research development. CityU will conduct more research in applied science. It will also apply research outcomes in serving society, combine the characteristics of both arts and science programs to nurture interdisciplinary talent needed by society.
Fifth, attract academic and management talent. CityU will recruit outstanding talent globally to steer toward the development of different academic programs while placing emphasis on cultivating young CityU scholars, encouraging them to be devoted to teaching and nurturing talent and helping these scholars to be proactive, always strive to be better and be able to gain experience to become future leaders in different academic areas.
Sixth, attract more outstanding students, place emphasis on students’ holistic development. CityU will provide students with even better academic guidance and more opportunities for experimental learning so that they will be able to contribute to Macao, the Greater Bay Area, our country and even the world after graduation.
Rector Liu excels in the fields of modern education, humanities and social sciences and is internationally renowned with more than 40 years of experience in the field of English education. He is also experienced in higher education management. Professor Jun Liu served as Vice President, Vice Provost for Global Affairs and Director of China Center at Stony Brook University. He also served as Associate Provost at Georgia State University, Assistant Vice President and Head of the Department of English at the University of Arizona.
His research interests include: language teaching methodology, sociolinguistics, curriculum development, and intercultural communication. Professor Liu has published more than 20 books and 100 papers and book chapters to date. He led TCSOL in developing ‘Standards for Teachers of Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages’ and published two popular books, “How Chinese Children should Learn English” and “Teachers’ Handbook for Internet English” (網絡英語教師手冊).
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