Inauguration of the NTU NIE MATCIL Alumni Chapter: A New Milestone in Our Community

The inaugural ceremony of the NTU NIE Master of Arts in Teaching Chinese as an International Language (MATCIL) Alumni Chapter was held on August 3, 2024, marking a significant milestone in the history of the programme. This event was especially meaningful as it coincided with the 10th anniversary of the MATCIL programme. The idea of forming an alumni body for the MATCIL programme was first conceived by the Asian Languages and Cultures (ALC) Department in June 2022, following the advice of the Former Director of NIE, Professor Christine Goh. This concept was enthusiastically embraced by the graduates, leading to the establishment of a student task force in October 2022, dedicated to organizing the alumni chapter and reaching out to both past and present MATCIL students.

The event commenced with a warm welcome to the alumni, esteemed faculty members, and distinguished guests, including NTU Vice President for Lifelong Learning & Alumni Engagement, Professor Boh Wai Fong; NIE Director and Guest of Honour, Professor Liu Woon Chia; Head of the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures, Associate Professor Mukhlis Abu Bakar; and the keynote speaker, Professor Chew Cheng Hai. Their presence underscored the importance of this new chapter in the MATCIL community.

Associate Professor Mukhlis Abu Bakar opened the event by highlighting that the MATCIL programme has produced hundreds of graduates, many of whom have become teachers in English-speaking regions or pursued research careers. He emphasized that the new MATCIL Alumni Chapter will strengthen collaboration and support among graduates. Professor Liu Woon Chia noted the programme's increasing enrolment as part of NIE's strategic response to global demand for Chinese language education. She mentioned the programme's evolution, including the dual-track option introduced in 2017, which offers both coursework and dissertation paths. NTU Vice President Professor Boh Wai Fong congratulated the MATCIL programme and the alumni on this remarkable inauguration ceremony. She praised the creators of the programme for their vision and foresight, recognizing the rapid rise of China as a global economic powerhouse and the resulting worldwide trend in learning Chinese among non-native speakers. Professor Boh emphasized that the MATCIL programme is both timely and strategically aligned with these global shifts.

The highlight of the event was the symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony performed by distinguished guests, marking the official launch of the MATCIL Alumni Chapter. Led by the inaugural Chairperson, Ms. Zhao Yi, this chapter is dedicated to connecting, supporting, and fostering the professional growth of MATCIL graduates. The ceremony also included the presentation of certificates to the ten inaugural committee members, recognizing their dedication and efforts in establishing the alumni chapter. This new community is poised to make ongoing contributions to the field of Chinese language education.

The keynote speech by Professor Chew Cheng Hai, a distinguished Chinese linguist, further underscored the programme's significant impact and future potential in Chinese language education. Subsequently, a series of concurrent sessions was organized for participants to choose from, covering topics such as "Professional Development and Industry Development of Teaching Chinese as an International Language," "Experience Sharing of International Schools in Singapore," and "Experience Sharing of International Schools in China." These sessions provided valuable insights and fostered meaningful discussions among the attendees.

As the MATCIL Alumni Chapter embarks on this new journey, it stands as a testament to the enduring impact of the programme and the strong bonds within the MATCIL community. Together, they will continue to shape the future of Chinese language education, fostering deeper cultural understanding across the globe.