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(Hong Kong, 12 April 2007) The 2007 Presidential Award from global education association Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. (TESOL) was presented to Mr. Li Ka-shing for his outstanding contributions to the association and its mission. The presentation ceremony took place in Seattle, WA earlier.

Mr. Li is the latest recipient of the TESOL Presidential Award, which is given to one individual each year. Past recipients have included U.S. Senators Hillary Clinton and Paul Simon, George Soros, NPR reporter Claudio Sanchez as well as Civil Rights attorney Morris Dees.

During the award presentation, TESOL President Jun Liu called Mr. Li a "true philanthropist" and noted Mr. Li's support of English enhancement programs for youngsters in China, particularly the impact of Shantou University's English Language Center (ELC). The Li Ka Shing Foundation, which endorses capacity empowerment through quality education, supports the university.

"It is an honor to receive the Presidential Award from Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages," said Mr. Li. "In this advanced, technological society, having a command of a second language enriches lives and increases the capacity to succeed in a rapidly changing global economy. This gift of language, advanced through TESOL, has and continues to open doors, contributing to economic and personal development, allies among cultures, and the enrichment of society as a whole."

Shantou's ELC has marked several recent milestones in improving the curriculum of English-teaching in China. These include placement test implementation; establishment of English-based co-curricular activities; organization of intercollegiate English speech contests; launch of the first English journal in English Language Teaching (ELT); presentation of international symposia on ELT; recruitment of more than 40 foreign teachers to the ELC; implementation of a sustainable teacher development workshop and review system; establishment of a post-test system to benchmark students' achievements in four-language skills; and the first TESOL Symposium held at Shantou University.

Shantou University, authorized by the State Council was established in 1981, and began to enroll undergraduate students in 1983. After more than 20 years' development, Shantou University has grown into a comprehensive university with multi-majors and specialities. It now boasts 15,000 students and more than 700 faculty members.

With world-class academic and research facilities, Shantou University devotes great attention to academic development and scientific research, and its research capabilities have increased steadily. The University has five affiliated hospitals, providing a total of 1,800 in-patient beds. The establishment of Shantou University offers great opportunities for local youth to receive higher education, and contributes to the development of talented and capable people who in turn can drive economic development at the local and national levels, and enhance further cooperation between Shantou and the rest of the nation.

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The TESOL Presidential Award

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