The 1st International Knowledge Transfer Forum

(只有英文版 English version only)

Group Photo

The 1st International Knowledge Transfer Forum (hereafter KT Forum), held jointly by the Department of English Language Education (ELE) at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) and The Association for the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language in Indonesia (TELFIN), from 8 to 22 August 2020, brought together researchers, education practitioners, policymakers and graduate students from across Asia (and beyond) to engage in interactive dialogue about language teaching and research.

 

More than 2,400 attendees, including researchers, in-service and pre-service language teachers, teacher educators, and graduate students from institutions in Indonesia and 20 other countries, participated in the KT Forum via Zoom and YouTube Live-stream. The programme featured six keynote speeches, delivered by researchers who are experts in the fields of technology in language education, second language acquisition (SLA) and curriculum development, and language policy, as well as interactive Q&A session.

 

Session 1: Technology in Language Education

Session 2: SLA and Curriculum Development

Session 3: Language Policy

Outcomes and implications for the KT Forum

The main objective of this three-weekly KT Forum was to promote knowledge transfer and facilitate academic exchange at an international level. The objective was achieved as researchers, teachers, teacher educators, policymakers and students from 21 different countries were brought together to learn about various theories and research findings, which enable these stakeholders to make an informed decision. The professional outcome to collaborating faculty was to provide opportunities for joint presentations, and for expanding record of expertise internationally. The KT Forum also provided multiple opportunities for career advancement for collaborating RAs and participating undergraduate students. The professional outcomes to EdUHK and ELE are also significant, as it has extended and strengthened ties and opportunities for future exchange with universities and organisations in Indonesia and other Asian nations of growing international importance. It has also raised the EdUHK’s and ELE’s profile in those regions of the world.  

One of the main conclusions of the KT Forum was that both ELE and TELFIN representatives recognise the value of this collaborating event. Both parties have also agreed to continue close collaboration and partnership. In that regard, some initiatives are now under way: 1) expect to sign a memorandum of understanding between ELE and TELFIN (and perhaps one national university in Indonesia); and 2) expect to organise the 2nd KT Forum in the near future. In closing, ELE will continue to further enhance its regionally leading role in the research and practice of English language education in Hong Kong and beyond through the KT Forum.