Formally established in June 2022, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) (HKUST(GZ)) is a cooperatively-run higher education institution between the Chinese mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. HKUST(GZ) has obtained approval from the Ministry of Education (MoE) and become the first legally-independent educational institution co-established by the Mainland and Hong Kong since the announcement and implementation of the “Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area” and the “Overall Plan for Deepening Globally Oriented Comprehensive Co-operation amongst Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao in Nansha of Guangzhou”. HKUST(GZ) is located at No.1 Duxue Road, Qingsheng Hub Cluster, Nansha District, Guangzhou. The campus covers an area of about 1,669 mu (111.3 hectares) and is divided into two construction phases. The first phase covers an area of about 716 mu (47.7 hectares) with a floorage of about 636,000 square meters (63.6 hectares), which has been officially put into use in September 2022. 

The intended areas of focus in the GZ Campus will be thematic and crossdisciplinary in nature, synergistic with HKUST without overlapping academic degrees or structures. HKUST(GZ) comprises four Hubs, namely Function Hub, Information Hub, Systems Hub, Society Hub and offers 15 postgraduate degrees. At steady state, the number of undergraduate and postgraduate students will reach a total of 10,000. 

College of Education Sciences (CES), under Vice-President for Teaching and Learning, is the academic unit responsible for first- and second-year undergraduate education, offering humanities, social sciences, language and STEM courses. CES will conduct research in the fields of cognitive sciences and innovative pedagogy. CES also serves as the home unit for UG students before their program major determined, providing students with academic-related services. The College is composed of five departments, including: Pillar of General Education (PGE), Pillar of STEM Education (STEM), Pillar of Cognitive Sciences (PCS), Pillar of Language Education (PLE), UG Teaching Labs (UGTL). 

PLE is the academic unit implementing the language policy of the University to build a multi-lingual and multi-cultural community of learning and practice among faculty, staff and students – both undergraduate and postgraduate. To achieve this, it offers language-related credit and non-credit bearing courses, events and activities. 

PLE is inviting applications or nominations for a Head to lead the Pillar. We welcome exceptional candidates who are enthusiastic about language education in the context of an English medium of instruction (EMI) science and technology-focused institution in Chinese mainland.  

Qualification of Candidates  

The Head of Pillar of Language Education will receive support from the University to ensure the success of students in the English medium of instruction (EMI) environment, the development of communication skills in Chinese for mainland students, access to Chinese language training for international staff and students, and the provision of other languages as necessary in the future. Reporting to the Dean of CES, the Head of PLE should be a visionary, energetic, and open-minded language education practitioner or academic who can provide leadership and manage the Pillar's diverse functions. 

The successful candidate is expected to possess some or all of the following skills and experience:  

1. Strong academic background in language education or related fields;  
2. Experience in leading and managing academic divisions or departments;  
3. Excellent interpersonal skills to manage the team, build consensus, and act as advocate to relevant stakeholders;  
4. Knowledge and understanding of the language policy and goals of the University;  
5. A deep understanding of the interdisciplinary academic organization and pedagogical features of HKUST(GZ);  
6. Familiarity with the context of English medium of instruction (EMI) science and technology-focused institutions in Chinese mainland;  
7. Ability to develop and implement language-related credit and non-credit bearing courses, events, and activities;  
8. Experience in conducting research in the fields of language education or related areas;  
9. The ability to develop and lead innovative teaching practices in the context of interdisciplinary integration;  
10. The ability to lead a team of faculty to conduct pedagogical research in language teaching and learning;  
11. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with faculty, staff, and students from diverse backgrounds;  
12. Familiarity with the characteristics of language learning and learning development of Chinese university students;  
13. Commitment to promoting a multi-lingual and multi-cultural community of learning and practice among faculty, staff, and students. 

Remuneration and Conditions of Service 

Salary is highly competitive of international standard and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Fringe benefits include annual leave, medical insurance and housing will be provided where applicable. The initial appointment will be made on a fixed term contract of up to three years, and re-appointment thereafter will be subject to performance and mutual agreement.  

How to Apply

Applications should include the following:

• a cover letter;
• a full CV detailing academic and professional qualifications;
• any other relevant supporting documents.

Completed applications should be uploaded via this page.

The Personal Information Collection Statement will be made available upon request. All enquiries, applications and nominations will be treated in strict confidence.

Perrett Laver is an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates. Information provided will be treated in strict confidence and used only for recruitment purposes.

Protecting your personal data is of the utmost importance to Perrett Laver and we take this responsibility very seriously. Any information obtained by our trading divisions is held and processed in accordance with the relevant data protection legislation. The data you provide us with is securely stored on our computerised database and transferred to our clients for the purposes of presenting you as a candidate and/or considering your suitability for a role you have registered interest in. Perrett Laver is a Data Controller and a Data Processor, and our legal basis for processing your personal data is ‘Legitimate Interests’. You have the right to object to us processing your data in this way. For more information about this, your rights, and our approach to Data Protection and Privacy, please visit our website.