National Institute of Education to get new director from July 1

SINGAPORE – Professor Liu Woon Chia will head the National Institute of Education (NIE) from July 1, Nanyang Technological University announced on June 25.

Prof Liu, the current dean of teacher education at NIE, co-founded its Motivation in Educational Research Laboratory, which conducts research on motivational issues in education and sports and translates findings into practical teaching guides.

The 57-year-old has also been credited with shaping the Singapore Teaching Practice, a model that explains how effective teaching and learning is achieved in Singapore schools.

Prof Liu, who has been with NIE since 2001, has advised the Ministry of Education (MOE) on various aspects of teacher education, said NTU.

In 2018, she received the Public Administration Medal (Silver) in recognition of her contributions to education.

On her new position, Prof Liu said: “To me, it was a call to serve that eventually made me decide to step into this role.”

She will take over the position from Professor Christine Goh, who has been NIE director for six years since July 2018.

Prof Goh, 66, has been with the institute for 30 years and is recognised as an expert in applied linguistics for her work in the field.

Under her leadership, NIE set up three centres – Science of Learning in Education Centre in 2021, Centre for Assessment and Evaluation in 2022, and Singapore Centre for Citizenship and Character Education in 2023.

It also transformed undergraduate degree courses into double major programmes and revitalised its teacher education model.

It was also under her stewardship when the institute implemented learning frameworks to enhance both education and staff training programmes.

Prof Goh developed Life@NIE SG – which outlines NIE’s key priorities and initiatives – to lay the foundation for its growth, emphasising excellence in teacher education and multidisciplinary research.

As a former chair of the Association of South-east Asian Teacher Education Network and an active partner in the International Network of Education Institutes, Prof Goh has strengthened NIE’s international visibility and impact, said NTU.

Like her predecessors, she has continued to work closely with MOE and other stakeholders to support the nation’s visions for sustained quality teaching and education.

In a message to her NIE and NTU colleagues, Prof Goh thanked them for their hard work and professionalism, which she said made it possible for the team to achieve so much despite challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We have put in place excellent education and research programmes, as well as work processes, built strong partnerships locally and abroad, and committed ourselves to helping one another grow.”

On her successor, Prof Goh said: “With her experience, skills and dedication, Woon Chia will lead our beloved NIE to greater heights. She will have a senior leadership team comprising experienced and new members to support her to achieve future goals for NIE, and importantly, to continue strengthening a culture of trust and care in NIE.”

Prof Goh will remain as a professor of education at the institute.

Among other key leadership changes is the appointment of Associate Professor Chow Jia Yi, 51, who will succeed Prof Liu as dean of teacher education and undergraduate programmes.

Prof Chow, a recipient of multiple teaching awards, has chaired the NTU Teaching Excellence Committee. He is also an executive member of the Australasian Skill Acquisition Network and serves on the editorial Board for several journals, such as the International Journal of Sport Psychology, and Asian Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology.

Associate Professor Chua Bee Leng, 53, will assume the role of chief learning and innovations officer. She currently leads the World Education Research Association and the Educational Research Association of Singapore.