On 9 December 2025, the Centre for STEM and AI Education of the Faculty of Education (FED) at the University of Macau (UM) and the National Institute of Education (NIE) of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) co-organized the “Macao–Singapore Mathematics Education Forum: Insights and Research from TIMSS/PISA and Beyond” at the Tin Ka Ping Lecture Hall at the Faculty of Education. The forum brought together mathematics education experts and scholars from Macao and Singapore to focus on the research findings and implications derived from TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) and PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment), and to share experiences and practices related to international assessments, curriculum reform, and instructional innovation. Through in-depth academic exchange, the forum aimed to strengthen regional collaboration, inspire innovative mathematics teaching approaches, and explore future directions for the development of mathematics education within educational systems. The event attracted a large number of primary and secondary teachers, researchers, and students, creating a vibrant and engaging atmosphere.

The forum opened with remarks delivered by Prof. Lianghuo FAN, Dean of Faculty of Education and Director of the Centre for STEM and AI Education of FED. Prof. Fan noted that TIMSS and PISA play crucial roles in global education assessment, helping enhance the understanding of students’ learning performance and contributing to curriculum development and teacher professional growth. He emphasized that both Macao and Singapore have accumulated substantial achievements and experience through their participation in international assessments, and that academic exchange between the two regions offers new insights for mathematics educational reform.

The theme “International Large-Scale Assessments in Mathematics: Achievement and Approach” was begun in the morning session. Prof. Kwok Cheung CHEUNG, Chief Advisor for the Educational Testing and Assessment Research Centre of FED and College Master of Moon Chun Memorial College of UM discussed “Macao’s Achievements in TIMSS and PISA” analyzing Macao’s progress and distinctive features across assessment cycles. This was followed by a joint keynote speech by Prof. Tin Lam TOH and Prof. Eng Guan TAY of NTU, entitled “Singapore’s Approach to TIMSS/PISA” in which they outlined Singapore’s overall strategies for curriculum design, teacher development, and assessment reform, and analyzed the key factors behind Singapore’s sustained success in international assessments. The morning session concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Prof. Fan, during which scholars engaged in in-depth discussions on the strengths and weaknesses of mathematics education in Macau and Singapore, as well as the challenges posed by AI development to current mathematics education in both regions.

The afternoon session focused on “Mathematics Education Research in Macao and Singapore”. It began with a presentation by Prof. Eng Guan TAY of NTU, who introduced how an adapted Polya model can be used to promote computational thinking in mathematics classrooms. Following this, Prof. Xuhua SUN of FED, UM discussed the role of spiral variation in curriculum design from the perspective of algebraic thinking development and its support for students’ conceptual understanding. This was followed by Prof. Weng Kin HO of NTU, who shared research on the professional development of Singapore secondary mathematics teachers in computational thinking, and Prof. Xinrong YANG of FED, UM who examined the relationships among Chinese pre-service mathematics teachers’ knowledge, pedagogical beliefs, and noticing.

Subsequently, Prof. Tim Lam TOH presented on the use of comics in mathematics instruction, demonstrating the potential of visual materials to enhance student understanding; Prof. Chunlian JIANG of FED, UM shared research on Chinese junior high school students’ creativity in mathematical problem posing; Prof. Yew Hoong LEONG of NTU explored strategies for enhancing students’ fluency and flexibility in mathematical problem solving; Prof. Pee Choon TOH of NTU analyzed common conceptual challenges faced by undergraduate students when learning continuity and differentiability of Calculus.

Finally, Prof. Fan represented UM to exchange souvenirs with scholars from NTU, symbolizing the commitment of both institutions to deepening collaboration and academic exchange. A group photo brought the event to a successful close. The forum not only strengthened collaboration between Macao and Singapore in the field of mathematics education research but also laid a solid foundation for future cross-regional educational development.

Prof. Lianghuo FAN

Prof. Kwok Cheung CHEUNG

Prof. Tin Lam TOH

Prof. Eng Guan TAY

Prof. Xuhua SUN

Prof. Weng Kin HO

Prof. Xinrong YANG

Prof. Chunlian JIANG

Prof. Pee Choon TOH

Prof. Lianghuo FAN and Prof. Yew Hoong LEONG

 

Group photo

 

Thank you for your kind attention.

Faculty of Education