Dear TIRF Supporters & Trustees,

At the recent Association of University Leaders of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (AULP) Conference in Macau SAR, I had the privilege of chairing a panel on bilingual education in higher education and the role of university–industry partnerships in developing bilingual talent through experiential and cooperative learning. The distinguished panel included António José da Cruz Belo, Rector of the Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa (Portugal); Petrilson Pinheiro, Director of the Institute of Studies at UNICAMP (Brazil); Dr. Shin Wang of Shanghai International Studies University; and Dr. Mengshan Ren, Vice President of the Communication University of China.

The discussion revealed both common goals and diverse approaches to preparing students for increasingly multilingual and globally interconnected societies. Panelists described institutional models that integrate language learning with disciplinary study, international exchange, intercultural engagement, and technology-enhanced learning. Representatives from Portugal and Brazil emphasized the importance of Portuguese as a global language and highlighted initiatives that strengthen students’ intercultural and multilingual competencies. The Chinese representatives discussed content-and-language integrated approaches that enable students to develop advanced language proficiency while pursuing studies in fields such as international communication, business, and diplomacy.

A shared theme across all presentations was the recognition of bilingualism as a core competency rather than an ancillary skill. Effective bilingual education, the panelists agreed, requires embedding language learning within authentic academic and professional contexts.

The panel also explored how universities are working with industry, government agencies, media organizations, and multinational corporations to prepare graduates for multilingual workplaces. Examples included internships, cooperative education programs, industry-sponsored projects, joint curriculum development, and international placements. These partnerships provide students with opportunities to apply their language skills in real-world settings while strengthening intercultural communication, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving abilities.

Several key insights emerged from the discussion. First, bilingualism is increasingly viewed as a strategic asset for both employability and global citizenship. Second, successful programs integrate language learning with disciplinary expertise. Third, strong university–industry partnerships help align educational outcomes with workforce needs. Finally, experiential learning plays a vital role in bridging classroom learning and professional practice.

The themes explored during the panel align closely with TIRF’s mission of advancing research and practice in language education and multilingualism. The exchange among academic leaders from Portugal, Brazil, and China underscored the growing international commitment to preparing students for multilingual societies and global careers, while highlighting the importance of continued research and collaboration in bilingual education. As TIRF continues to connect research, policy, and practice, conversations such as these help inform our work and strengthen partnerships that support innovative language education around the world.

Warm regards,

Jun Liu, PhD

TIRF President