EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW • 人物專訪 39 2025 UMAGAZINE 32 • 澳大新語 Textbook Research and Development, a global platform for exchanges and collaboration in the field. Over the years, the conference has grown into a leading event in mathematics textbook research. This achievement has solidified Prof Fan’s reputation as a key founder of the international mathematics textbook research community. Building on this success, he is now bringing this global dialogue to Macao. In 2027, the 6th International Conference on Mathematical Textbook Research and Development will be hosted at UM. Through this initiative, Prof Fan aims to drive innovation in mathematics textbook research and use international insights to address local challenges. His ultimate goal is to optimise textbook design and enhance the quality of education in Macao. Making Teachers’ AI Literacy a Priority in the Faculty Development Plan Prof Fan, now just over a year into his role as dean of FED, has developed a five-year development plan for the faculty. The plan aims to advance educational innovation and enhance teacher training. Confident in the faculty’s current standing, he notes, ‘The faculty is on a strong track.’ FED’s strengths are evident in its outstanding faculty, high-quality teacher training programmes, and dedicated educational research centres. These assets have helped position UM in the 126–150 range in the 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject for Education. In addition, the university has risen of textbook content to explore the formation and evolution of textbooks, the influence of sociocultural and political-economic factors on educational content, and the ways textbooks, as a teaching tool, shape teachers’ practices, student learning outcomes, and even the values and morals of future generations. Reflecting on this turning point, Prof Fan says, ‘After this definition was established, the approaches to studying textbooks became significantly clearer.’ To apply this theoretical framework, Prof Fan focused his research on mathematics textbooks, particularly to better understand the internationally recognised success of Chinese mathematics education. As chief editor, he published How Chinese Learn Mathematics: Perspectives from Insiders in 2004, followed by its companion volume How Chinese Teach Mathematics: Perspectives from Insiders. These two monographs systematically examine the factors contributing to the effectiveness of mathematics teaching and learning in Chinese communities, highlighting the design and role of textbooks as critical factors. Together, these volumes are widely regarded as significant milestones in mathematics education research, demonstrating how textbook studies can yield valuable insights when examined through the lens of specific disciplines and cultural contexts. To further advance this area of study, Prof Fan founded the International Conference on Mathematical 澳大在2025/2026年《美國新聞與世界報導》全球最佳大學（教育及教育研究學科）排名中躍升至第 15 位 UM has risen to 15th place in the 2025/2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Universities ranking for Education and Educational Research
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