The 2024 UIC English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Conference, held on April 2nd at Zhuhai UIC, has successfully concluded, contributing to the ongoing discourse around EAP education in China. This inaugural conference organized by the School of General Education (SGE) and Learning Resources Centre (LRC) of BNU-HKBU United International College (UIC), in collaboration with Oxford University Press and sponsored by CamBook (Shanghai) Book & Culture LTD., attracted around 70 educators, researchers, and practitioners committed to advancing EAP instruction and research. The conference began with opening remarks and a souvenir presentation by Professor Stella Cho, highlighting the event's aims to foster dialogue, share insight and experiences, discuss challenges and solutions in EAP education. The morning professional development sessions led by Mr. Luke Nestler, a Senior Professional Development Consultant at OUP, focused on speech preparation and the dichotomy of process versus product writing. These sessions provided insights into effective teaching and feedback strategies and the complexities of writing instruction in academic settings.

2024 UIC EAP Conference Group Photo

Opening Remarks by Prof. Stella Cho

    The afternoon sessions featured speakers from various academic institutions, including Mr. Jon Corbett from UIC, Dr. Craig Cooper also from UIC, Professor Lei Ma from Beijing Normal University Zhuhai, and Professor Jian-E Peng from Shantou University. Each speaker brought unique perspectives to the table, covering topics from leveraging the strengths of Non-Native English-Speaking Teachers (NNESTs) in EAP curriculum enhancement to navigating and negotiating academic texts. Professor Ma's insights into EAP at Beijing Normal University and Professor Peng's introduction to Shantou University's EAP course framework offered valuable case studies of EAP implementation and adaptation in different educational contexts. A panel discussion featuring the four speakers facilitated a focused dialogue on the integration and challenges of EAP education, encouraging audience participation and Q&A. This interactive session underscored the conference's commitment to fostering an open exchange of ideas and collaborative problem-solving among EAP professionals.

Panel Discussion: Mr. Jon Corbett (UIC), Dr. Craig Cooper (UIC), 

Professor Lei Ma (BNU Zhuhai), and Professor Jian-E Peng (Shantou University)

    In addition to academic discussions, the conference showcased English learning solutions, with Mr. Felix Zhao from OUP and Mr. Andy Ren from CamBook sharing resources and technologies designed to support EAP learning and teaching. These presentations highlighted the evolving landscape of EAP instruction and the potential for digital tools to enhance language learning outcomes. The conference concluded with closing remarks by Professor Haipeng Guo, who emphasized the importance of continued collaboration, improvement and innovation in EAP education. He acknowledged the contributions of all participants and expressed hope for the future of EAP teaching and research at UIC. The 2024 UIC EAP Conference has set a precedent for future gatherings, providing a platform for meaningful discussions, networking, and the dissemination of cutting-edge research and teaching practices. As the field of EAP continues to evolve, the insights and collaboration fostered at this year's conference will strengthen the resolve and knowledge base of the participants moving forward.

Souvenir Presentation

Closing Remarks by Prof. Haipeng Guo

School of General Education