The Master’s Program in English Education, Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training (FITK), UIN of North Sumatra successfully organized an international Guest Lecture on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. The event, held online, carried the theme “Enhancing English Teachers’ Quality for Global Opportunities” and featured an international speaker, William Vickery, Ph.D., from the Regional English Language Office (RELO), United States. The lecture attracted enthusiastic participation from students, lecturers, and academic communities interested in advancing English language education in a global context.
The program began with an opening session led by the Master of Ceremony, who welcomed the participants and briefly introduced the purpose of the event. The guest lecture aimed to broaden participants’ perspectives on the development of English language teaching and the importance of preparing educators to face global challenges.
The first welcoming remarks were delivered by the Head of the Master’s Program in English Education, Maslathif Dwi Purnomo, Ph.D. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of international academic engagement and collaboration in strengthening the quality of education.
“Guest lectures like this are very important for our academic community. They open opportunities for our students to learn directly from international experts and gain broader insights into global developments in English education,” he stated.
He further expressed his hope that activities such as this would inspire students to continuously improve their competencies and prepare themselves to become professional educators who are able to compete and contribute globally.
Following the Head of Program’s remarks, the Vice Dean II of the Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training delivered his welcoming speech. Muhammad Dalimunthe, M.Hum., highlighted the significance of academic forums that connect local institutions with international scholars.
“We highly appreciate this academic collaboration. Activities like this strengthen our academic culture and help our students and lecturers gain new perspectives from international scholars,” he said.
He also encouraged participants to actively engage in the session and take advantage of the opportunity to learn from the guest speaker’s experiences and insights.
The main session of the event featured a presentation by William Vickery, Ph.D., who delivered an insightful lecture on strategies to enhance the professional quality of English teachers in order to meet global opportunities and challenges.
During his presentation, Mr. Vickery discussed several key aspects of effective English language teaching, including the importance of continuous professional development, intercultural competence, and innovative teaching strategies. He emphasized that English teachers today need to be adaptable, creative, and globally aware
“In today’s interconnected world, English teachers play a crucial role not only in teaching language but also in preparing students to communicate and collaborate across cultures,” Vickery explained.
He also highlighted the importance of lifelong learning for educators and encouraged teachers to continuously update their knowledge and teaching practices in response to evolving educational demands.
The lecture session was followed by an engaging discussion and question-and-answer session. Participants actively raised questions related to teaching strategies, international opportunities for educators, and the integration of innovative methods in language classrooms. The interactive discussion created a dynamic academic atmosphere and allowed participants to gain deeper insights into the topic.
The event concluded with closing remarks, followed by the presentation of a certificate of appreciation to the guest speaker as a token of gratitude for his valuable contribution. The program ended with a virtual photo session involving the speaker, faculty members, organizers, and participants.
Overall, the guest lecture served as an important academic platform for knowledge exchange and professional development. It also reflected the commitment of the Master’s Program in English Education, Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training, UIN of North Sumatra to continuously provide meaningful academic activities that connect students and lecturers with international scholars.
Through initiatives like this guest lecture, the program hopes to further strengthen academic collaboration and inspire students to pursue excellence in their academic and professional journeys in the field of English education.
