Spotlight
Highlights from the ACT international community including academic updates, event recaps, testimonials, and more!
Exploring the Future of Asian Testing and Education—Key Highlights from Asia-ATP Conference 2023
ATP is a non-profit trade association representing a wide range of testing organizations in education, certification, IT, psychological testing as well as employment testing. ACT has been a member of ATP in the past decades.
Celebrating 10 Years of Muhammadiyah International Class Orientation
ACT Education Solutions (AES) and The East Java Provincial Board of Muhammadiyah (PWM) Primary & Secondary Education of Muhammadiyah Department celebrate our 10th anniversary of partnership on January 6, 2024.
GAC New Module Launch
In the fall semester of 2023, GAC launched a new module Personal Finance & Entrepreneurship, GAC034. This course is a component of the GAC curriculum 2.0 Holistic Education for the Future Program.
GAC Partner University – University of Missouri
Founded in 1839, the University of Missouri (Mizzou) is a major, comprehensive research university, and one of only 35 public U.S. universities to hold membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities.
Testimonials
“One of the most significant impacts the GAC program bestowed upon us was the cultivation of robust study skills and effective learning habits.”
Ms. Yenny Lajanto, Principal of Teach Indonesia School (TIS), Indonesia
“The GAC program is not just a curriculum; it’s a journey that equips our students with essential tools for success in their future universities.”
Ms. Ana Papic, Director of Studies, Dongguan Hanlin Experimental School, China
“From the perspective of teaching and learning, GAC is the best suit for the university preparation in terms of syllabus, assessments design and its approaches for diverse students and cultures especially for non-English speaking students.”
Ms. Su Myat Htet, teacher, Royal Academic Institute, Myanmar
“The GAC program gave me essential skills for my success. Its curriculum prepared me for professional challenges. To current students, utilize this resource fully. The skills you learn are invaluable.”
Ms. Tiffany Ramadhani, GAC alumni from Indonesia.
“Studying the GAC program has been an emotional rollercoaster that has undoubtedly helped me grow as a person while bettering my abilities in multiple fields.”
José Miguel Rubio Merio, student at Colegio Euro Texcoco, Mexico
“The GAC program is different from other programs. It cultivates independent learning, team spirit, and research skills.”
Huang Liming, GAC graduate at Nanjing Jinling High School, China
“Attending the GAC course is one of the most rewarding experiences of my academic journey as the benefits and experiences gained during the course have been far-reaching and impactful, preparing me thoroughly for the university life and beyond.”
Sai Woon Tip, GAC graduate at Royal Academic Institute, Myanmar
In late October 2023, Dr. Changhua S. Rich, Senior Program Director, International of ACT and Chair of Asia Association of Test Publishers (A-ATP), led several of our ACT Education Solutions (AES) colleagues based in Asia to Sanya, China where they all participated in the 2023 A-ATP Annual Conference, organized by A-ATP. The AES team consisted of Susan Xu, Corporate Director (Asia), Shelly Bai, Regional Director (China), Christine Hoe, Regional Director (Southeast Asia), Karen Qi, Head of Business Development, and Echo Tang, Regional Account Manager. This year, the conference's theme, Stepping into the Future: The Next Growth of Asian Testing and Education, brought together experts in the education technology and examination sector.
ATP is a non-profit trade association representing a wide range of testing organizations in education, certification, IT, psychological testing as well as employment testing. ACT has been a member of ATP in the past decades.
ATP includes regional divisions in Europe, Asia, India, Middle East, and North America. ATP has international recognition and great respect from the global and regional testing community. Asia ATP (A-ATP) has members from China, Korea, Japan, Asia Pacific, and global testing organizations such as ACT, Pearson, Prometric, and Hogan Assessment System.
This year, A-ATP held the 2023 A-ATP Annual Conference in Sanya, Hainan, China. Around 200 participants from 10 countries attended this conference where industry thought leaders from 7 countries gave presentations.
A video recap of A-ATP can be found here.
ACT Education Solutions (AES) and The East Java Provincial Board of Muhammadiyah (PWM) Primary & Secondary Education of Muhammadiyah Department celebrate our 10th anniversary of partnership on January 6, 2024.
In 2013, the ACT English Proficiency Program (EPP) was implemented in 4 junior high schools. This partnership led to the creation of Muhammadiyah International Language Development, which was known as MILD Program and was re-branded to M-ICO (Muhammadiyah International Class Orientation) in 2019.
Dr. Arba'iyah Yusuf, M.A (Head of Primary & Secondary Education of Muhammadiyah Department – East Java) said in August 2021, "one of PWM’s goals is global citizenship education. Hopefully, in the future, our ACT EPP students will become a generation that is smart and strong, like the future leaders of Indonesia and the world."
Additionally, Prof. Achmad Jainuri, MA, Ph.D (Deputy of PWM) said, “international curriculum does not involve only the mastery of English language; there are also universal values that can be embraced, especially attitudes in everyday life. I do hope that there are more benefits gained for schools joining the ACT EPP program.”
Not only do students thrive in the ACT EPP program, but so do the teachers, as AES has provided continuous academic support through teacher training and classroom observations ranging from objectively grading to inquiry-based learning.
On July 25th, 2023, Andrew Taylor, ACT’s Vice President of Product, visited PWM, and he was welcomed by all M-ICO school principals, EPP coordinators, and teachers. Taylor added, "we have enjoyed more than 8 years of long-standing friendship with each other. This renewal agreement commits us to work together more closely towards our common goal, the pursuit of the internationalization of education.”
The ACT English Proficiency Program has had a positive impact on most M-ICO students, especially in the field of linguistics, to prepare students to compete at both national and international levels (Global Insight). For this reason, schools receive guidance and assistance from the M-ICO team and also from AES.
M-ICO is a concrete manifestation of Muhammadiyah Education's internationalization strategy which was launched by the Muhammadiyah Central Board (PP). Therefore, the M-ICO Program is expected to be the best choice and a superior program for Muhammadiyah schools in East Java.
In the fall semester of 2023, GAC launched a new module Personal Finance & Entrepreneurship, GAC034. This course is a component of the GAC curriculum 2.0 Holistic Education for the Future Program. Following the launch of three new GAC courses in 2022:
- Social Emotional Learning through Project Based Learning
- Education and Career Navigation, Finding your Pathways, and
- Project Based Learning and Research Methods
Personal Finance & Entrepreneurship creates another opportunity for GAC students to develop essential skills and competencies for the changing world. In this course, students develop the knowledge, mindsets, and skills in personal finance and entrepreneurship, supporting their growth as financially independent individuals who thrive in work and careers.
GAC034 is designed to build students’ self-confidence, independence, and cultivate collaborative problem-solving mindsets and behavioral habits. From the past decade, it has become increasingly clear that schools, students, and parents yearn for education that truly prepares students for the future. To meet the needs of our schools, this new course offers 21st century essential skills, including deeper learning, going beyond theories and concepts, and enabling students to become creative, engaging, and independent leaders and owners of their learning journey.
Student-Centered Approach
In this course, we designed content for students to work independently, with a partner, and as a group for discussion and brainstorming, checking each other’s answers and providing feedback. Throughout the course, teachers approach the course materials as facilitators of students’ independent learning, allowing learners to develop English language communication skills in a collaborative learning environment.
After taking this course, students will have learned how to become successful entrepreneurs and complex problem solvers. They will:
- create innovative solutions to solve customer problems
- communicate ideas
- collaborate with others
- stimulate risk-taking
- challenge and question assumptions
- integrate ideas and people to provide products and services
- look into the future for growth, expansion, and new frontiers
Relevant readings:
Office of Admissions
230 Jesse Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
Columbia is frequently recognized as one of the top ‘college towns’ in the U.S.
Founded in 1839, the University of Missouri (Mizzou) is a major, comprehensive research university, and one of only 35 public U.S. universities to hold membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities. Located in the friendly Midwest region of the United States in Columbia, Missouri, Mizzou provides international students with an excellent American university experience. Columbia is a safe and welcoming environment in which to study. Mizzou’s location also provides students with great value as the cost of living in the region compares favorably to other parts of the United States.
Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Offering 300+ degree programs, Mizzou has a diverse enrollment of over 31,000 students from all 50 US states and over 100 countries. The teaching method at Mizzou, the “Missouri Method,” calls for students to learn through research, internship, practicum, and service. Mizzou’s internationally recognized programs in Business, Agriculture, Engineering, and Journalism contribute to the university’s consistent top-tier rankings. For a complete list of undergraduate programs offered, please see their website.
Transfer Credit
Students that earn the GAC graduation certification can earn up to 29 university credits based on their GAC coursework. Exact credit and grade requirements can be seen on our international student admissions webpage.