The International Research Foundation for English Language Education elects Rector Jun Liu to serve as next president
The International Research Foundation for English Language Education (TIRF) is undergoing a change in leadership this year. Prof Jun Liu, a renowned global foreign language educator and Rector of the City University of Macau (CityU), has been unanimously elected by the Board of Trustees of TIRF to serve as the next President from September this year, making him the first Chinese president of the international organisation.
Founded in 1998, TIRF is a gobal authority on international English education and development, bringing together the world’s leading English language education resources and investment. Its Board of Trustees is made up of prominent experts and academics from international education organisations and institutions, namely the Educational Testing Service (the United States), the British Council (the United Kingdom), the Cambridge Assessment English (the United Kingdom), the Center for Applied Linguistics (the United States) and many other prestigious universities worldwide.
TIRF is committed to supporting English language education in all aspects. Such initiatives include leading global research, promoting the latest research findings and resources, funding outstanding doctoral theses, enhancing the research capabilities of young scholars, promoting the publicity, application, and development of English as a globally recognised language, nurturing high-calibre professionals with communicative competence in English, and enhancing the intercultural communication skills across different countries, ethnicities and nationalities. In doing so, TIRF aims to foster global exchange and mutual development in politics, economies and cultures.
Prior to joining the City University of Macau as Rector, Prof Liu had served as Vice-President of the Stony Brook University, Associate Provost for International Initiatives at the Georgia State University, and Assistant Vice President at the University of Arizona. He is a world-renowned expert in Applied Linguistics and Intercultural Communication, as well as in Second Language Acquisition and Teaching, with more than 40 years of experience in the field. He has been a long-standing member of TIRF for over ten years, having been first elected to the Board of Trustees in 2010. Prof Liu has served as Vice-President since 2016, responsible for managing international research projects and financial development, and has ensured an efficient operation and rapid development of TIRF during his term.
Prof Liu was the first Chinese President of the TESOL International Association (2006-2008). As an international expert in Chinese language education, Prof Liu also served as Vice President of the International Society for Chinese Language Teaching (ISCLT) from 2009 to 2021, and was appointed by the Office of Chinese Language Council International, known as “Hanban” for short, to lead the development of the “Standards for Teachers of Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages” and the translation version of the highly authoritative “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching and Assessment”.
Current TIRF President Dr Kathi Bailey commented on the election announcement that “his [Prof Liu’s] positive, can-do attitude and his sense of humour are wonderful assets for someone in this leadership position.” With his extensive experience, competence and international academic influence, Dr Bailey is confident that TIRF will continue to enhance its global profile and sustainable development under the leadership of Prof Liu.
Prof Jun Liu expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him by TIRF. To promote the innovative development of English language education on the global stage, he promises to do his utmost to lead the foundation in the new international situation, explore innovative development through modern technology and refine international resources to expand its global influence and initiatives.
Meanwhile, as Rector of CityU and a leading education expert with an international reputation in Macao and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area), Prof Liu firmly believes that TIRF’s global resources and cutting-edge international research outcomes will provide precious learning and career opportunities to young people with aspirations to serve the world. He believes that a great number of international professionals and industry elites will take root and grow out from here, bringing significant contributions to the development of Macao, the Greater Bay Area, the country and beyond.
