Dear TIRF Board Members and Supporters,

I was humbled and honored to have been recognized as a Forbes China 2024 Top-100 Most influential Chinese earlier this month in Shanghai. According to an announcement by Forbes China (originally shared on WeChat in Chinese and translated into English using Google Chrome), the organization “is committed to outlining the contours of the changing times with 100 representative Chinese faces.” The award helps Forbes China accomplish this goal.

The Forbes China write-up shared the following: “2024 marks the 21st year that Forbes has entered China. As an authoritative media platform focusing on global business, Forbes China has always paid special attention to the development trends of emerging markets, especially the dynamics of Chinese and Chinese entrepreneurs and start-ups who represent advanced global productivity. … After seven months of nomination, re-selection and final evaluation, the results of the 2024 Forbes China 100 Most Influential Chinese were officially released. Continuing the previous classification, this [process resulted in] 100 outstanding Chinese elite representatives in the two categories of ‘influence’ and ‘growth potential’ from the two dimensions of ‘business’ and ‘culture.’”

If you would like to read the announcement, click here. If you are unable to read Chinese, use the same link in Google Chrome and you should be prompted to access a translation of the content in English or a different language.

Recognition of the award culminated in the event in Shanghai mentioned above. I would like to share with you a few highlights from my acceptance speech:

  • The Forbes China 2024 Awards Ceremony recognizes the most prominent Chinese figures who have made significant contributions globally in business, finance, technology, social sciences, and education. Unlike many of you who are successful leaders in global corporations, I represent higher education as the Rector of City University of Macau. I believe that education, like any other field, is essential for the advancement of our society.
  • Most of my career was spent in the United States as a university professor and leader. I served as Vice President and Vice Provost at Stony Brook University in New York from 2016 to 2021, and prior to that, I was Vice Provost at Georgia State University in Atlanta from 2011 to 2016 after a 13-year tenure at the University of Arizona. I have received several significant honors throughout my career, including being the first Chinese to lead the English Department at a major research university in the U.S. I was also the first Chinese President of the International Association of TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) and currently serve as the President of TIRF (The International Research Foundation for English Language Education), which supports doctoral students conducting research on cutting-edge topics such as AI and language learning, teaching English to young learners, and social identities in language use.  I also served as Vice President for TCSOL (Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages) for years.
  • To me, education is a fundamental endeavor and a cornerstone of a just and sustainable society. It shapes individuals who think critically, act ethically, and contribute positively to their communities. Education enriches individuals and society as a whole, laying the foundation for personal growth, economic development, and social progress.
  • Being a university president is immensely rewarding, as it combines the joy of fostering learning and growth with the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and communities. Thus, this award is not merely for me as an individual; it is a recognition of the vital role of higher education in society and an appreciation of the accomplishments of university leaders, professors, and students. More importantly, it is an honor for the Foundation, TIRF, where I serve as its President.

As TIRF President, I consider receiving recognition from Forbes as a great opportunity to increase TIRF’s visibility in China, especially as we expand our services and reach, and as we seek to organize additional events in China. I appreciate the collective support and contributions from so many colleagues throughout my career, including from TIRFers like you who have helped shape my professional journey. As this is the season for expressing gratitude, I thank each and every one of you.

Warm regards,

Jun Liu, PhD

TIRF President