A Historic Leadership Transition at AsiaCALL 2025: Honoring Prof. Andrew Lian’s Visionary Era and Welcoming Assoc. Prof. Pham Vu Phi Ho’s Advancing Legacy in CALL and AI-Driven Language Education
Cirebon, November, 15th 2025 — The opening day of the 22nd AsiaCALL International Conference 2025 became a historic moment for the global CALL community as Prof. Dr. Andrew Lian concluded his extraordinary 13-year presidency and officially passed the leadership to Assoc. Prof. Pham Vu Phi Ho, a long-serving Vice President and one of the association’s most influential academic figures. Although Prof. Lian joined virtually, his presence and legacy were strongly felt throughout the ceremony, with Vice President Dr. Ania Lian receiving the symbolic plaque on his behalf. The leadership transition, held on the first day of the conference, was witnessed by Lala Bumela, Ph.D. (President of AsiaCALL International Conference 2025/Director of the International Office and Partnership, UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon); Prof. Dr. Hj. Ria Yulia Gloria, M.Pd. (Head of the Quality Assurance Institute, representing the Rector of UIN SSC, Prof. Dr. H. Aan Jaelani, M.Ag.); Ania Lian, Ph.D. (Charles Darwin University, Australia); Prof. Dr. Jeremy White (Ritsumeikan University, Japan); Assoc. Prof. Hassan Khosravi, Ph.D. (The University of Queensland, Australia); Prof. Shameem Rafik-Galea, Ph.D. (SEGi University); Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Vu Phi Ho, Ph.D. (Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam); Made Hery Santosa, Ph.D. (Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha); Luqman Baehaqi, Ph.D. (UIN Palangka Raya); Sirniawati, M.A. (Universitas Muhammadiyah Cirebon); Wulan Rahmatunnisa, M.Pd. (Universitas Kuningan); Aries Endri Susanto, S.T., M.E.; Eka Destarada Sesunan, S.E.; and Nur’aeni, S.E., M.E. (Hakim Ventura International); Listiani Ekawati, M.Hum. (UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon); Mariyah Ulfah, M.E.Sy. (Head of the Halal Assurance Agency); Ivo Dinasta Yanuar, S.S., M.Appling (Secretary of International Office, UIN SSC); Ghina Amaliyah Sholihah, S.Sos. (International Office Staff, UIN SSC); presenters from Japan, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Netherlands, the Philippines, and many other countries; English Education faculty lecturers of UIN SSC including Dra. Amroh Umaemah, M.Pd., Hendi Hidayat, M.Pd., and Wakhid Nashruddin, Ph.D.; as well as hundreds of English Education students from UIN SSC who filled the hall and witnessed the historic transition firsthand. Delivering his first official remarks as President, Assoc. Prof. Ho paid a heartfelt tribute to his predecessor, stating, “Professor Andrew Lian has built AsiaCALL into a global community connecting researchers across continents. It is an honor to continue the legacy he established with visionary leadership, mentorship, intellectual generosity, and unwavering dedication.”
This leadership transition unfolded at a time when the global landscape of education is experiencing unprecedented transformation. The rise of generative AI, automation, and data-driven learning challenges traditional models of language education. AsiaCALL faces growing expectations to define new frameworks, support interdisciplinary collaboration, and guide educators worldwide through this disruptive era. Transitioning from a long-term presidency into a new leadership structure naturally brings questions about direction, continuity, and how the association will navigate technological and pedagogical shifts. As AsiaCALL expands in membership and global influence, maintaining cohesion while advancing innovation becomes both a responsibility and a test of institutional resilience.
During the ceremonial remarks, Assoc. Prof. Pham Vu Phi Ho addressed the AsiaCALL community with clarity and vision. “We are entering a period where AI, pedagogy, and global engagement intersect more intensely than ever before,” he stated. He acknowledged that consistent leadership is essential in facing upcoming challenges, while emphasizing that AsiaCALL must move forward with strategic innovation. Reflecting on his long collaboration with Prof. Lian, he added, “His mentorship has shaped my journey. Today, I commit myself to expanding our international networks and strengthening AsiaCALL’s position as a global leader in CALL and AI-driven language education.” His words resonated strongly with participants, signaling a confident and future-oriented transition.
The transition ceremony also highlighted AsiaCALL’s remarkable progress under Prof. Lian’s presidency. Over the past decade, AsiaCALL evolved from a regional academic body into one of the most respected international associations in CALL, attracting participants from more than 20 countries in recent years. His pioneering research on self-organizing learning environments, rhizomatic learning, and technology-enhanced pedagogy has shaped both theoretical and practical advancements in the field. With Assoc. Prof. Ho taking the lead—supported by Vice President Ania Lian and other senior members—the association embarks on a new chapter grounded in continuity, collaborative leadership, and renewed commitment to digital-era language education.
Because Prof. Andrew Lian joined the conference virtually, the symbolic presentation of the honorary plaque was performed on stage by Vice President Ania Lian, who received it on his behalf. This gesture symbolized unity, respect, and the seamless connection between the outgoing and incoming leadership. The audience applauded the moment as a recognition of Prof. Lian’s transformative contributions and as a welcome to Assoc. Prof. Ho’s new responsibility. Despite no physical presence, Prof. Lian’s influence filled the hall, reaffirming his lasting imprint on the association. As he transitions to a new role as a member of the Advisory Board and CEO of ICT Press (publisher of the AsiaCALL Journal), Prof. Lian remains an integral guiding force for the organization.
The leadership transition at AsiaCALL 2025 demonstrated that strong institutions are built on continuity, collaboration, and shared purpose. It illustrated how visionary leadership creates foundations for future innovation, and how new leadership carries forward that legacy with renewed energy. Reflecting on the moment, Assoc. Prof. Ho concluded, “Leadership is a relay—one generation builds the path, and the next extends it. AsiaCALL will continue to rise because we honor our past, strengthen our present, and prepare the future together.”
The ceremony reminded attendees that in the rapidly evolving era of AI and digital learning, unity and adaptability are essential. With this transition, AsiaCALL enters a new era—grounded in legacy, strengthened by collaboration, and committed to shaping the global future of CALL and AI-enhanced language education.
Author: Muhammad Azkiya Bahtsulkhoir