Malaysia to host prestigious 21st AILA World Congress

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will be hosting the 21st International Association of Applied Linguistics (AILA) World Congress from August 11 to 16, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

The event coincides with AILA's 60th anniversary and will see a gathering of global experts in the field of applied linguistics and language education.

More than 1,600 delegates from around the world are expected to converge on Kuala Lumpur for this hybrid congress, which will feature over 1,200 papers presented across 14 different tracks.

The event will be a platform for sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and addressing critical issues in language education and linguistic diversity.

The theme of the congress, "Linguistic Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Sustainability," underscores the importance of language in creating a more just and equitable world and provides a focal point for discussions on how applied linguistics can contribute to building inclusive societies and promoting sustainable development.

What makes this congress even more special is that the current AILA president, Professor Azirah Hashim, is a Malaysian. She is the first Asian to hold this position in AILA's 60-year history.

"We are incredibly proud to host the 21st AILA World Congress in Malaysia," said Malaysian Association of Applied Linguistics (MAAL) president and Congress Chair Professor Dr Shameem Rafik-Galea.

"Winning the bid to host this prestigious event in 2020 was a significant achievement for MAAL, and we are honored to be celebrating AILA's Diamond Jubilee in our country."

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