Dear TIRF Supporters,

This month, I am delighted to share wonderful news that speaks to both the generosity of our global community and the growing confidence in TIRF’s mission. Earlier in November, TIRF received a transformational gift of USD 100,000 from Mr. Ung Choi Kun of Macau. This contribution establishes our newest TIRF Presidential Society Fellow and marks the third consecutive year we have achieved our goal of securing one new TIRF Presidential Society Fellow per year. I remain humbled by the encouragement from our Board and energized by the trust shown in TIRF.

What makes this moment especially meaningful is the spirit in which the gift was offered. Mr. Ung chose to make the donation in honor of his son, Raymond Ung, who will be publicly recognized as our newest TIRF Presidential Society Fellow. Through this gesture, a father and son have demonstrated not only their shared commitment to education but also their desire to engage with TIRF’s global network. Their support re-affirms the value of our work across research, teaching, and service—and it reminds us how deeply our mission resonates with families and communities around the world.

This gift will have a wide-reaching impact. It will strengthen TIRF’s grantmaking programs, expand the academic and professional opportunities we provide to scholars and educators, and support our efforts to curate freely accessible resources for the global language education community. It will also help us extend our professional service offerings—work that directly supports institutions seeking to improve the quality and effectiveness of their programs. Because of contributions like this, TIRF can operate with confidence and take on new initiatives that reflect the evolving needs of our field.

More broadly, the generosity of the Ung family highlights the powerful role that individual supporters can play in shaping the future of English language education. When donors invest in TIRF, they are investing in the success of students completing their dissertations, in teachers who access research-based guidance, in institutions that rely on quality assurance, and in researchers whose work advances knowledge worldwide. Their gift underscores how TIRF’s global community—spread across continents and professional backgrounds—comes together to support meaningful, sustainable change.

As we look ahead, I hope this inspiring example encourages others—Fellows, partners, donors, and friends of TIRF—to consider how they, too, can contribute to our work. Support of any amount helps sustain our programs, expand our reach, and ensure that TIRF remains a trusted global resource at a time when research-driven solutions are urgently needed. Your engagement strengthens not only the Foundation, but also the countless communities and learners we serve. As we enter into the giving season, please consider donating to TIRF to support our work. Click here to learn more.

Thank you, as always, for your continued dedication to our shared mission. Together, we can build on this momentum and create even greater opportunities for learners, educators, and researchers worldwide.

Warm regards,

Jun Liu, PhD

TIRF President