SIL senior consultant awarded honorary degree

Dr. Susan Malone

(September 2016) SIL congratulates Dr. Susan Malone, Senior Literacy and Education Consultant, who recently received an honorary doctorate degree from Mahidol University’s Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, on behalf of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, awarded Malone the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Honoris Causa (Linguistics) on 2 September 2016 during Mahidol University's annual graduation ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand.

SIL’s Executive Director Michel Kenmogne expressed his congratulations to Dr. Malone:

The Mahidol University's award of this honorary doctorate is a recognition of Dr. Susan Malone's outstanding contribution in service to minority speakers whose access to quality education is often hampered by ineffective language practices and policies. As a minority speaker myself, I have witnessed how inappropriate use of language in education excludes many children from the education system and limits their potential to effectively contribute to the social and economic life of their communities and nations. I commend Dr. Malone's distinguished service and advocacy for children who speak minority languages, so they can redefine their horizons and rejoice in their identity and dignity in a culturally diverse world.


Dr. Susan Malone with 
Dr. Suwilai Premsrirat, Director of the Center of Documentation and Revitalization of Endangered Languages and Cultures, Research Institute for Language and Culture of Asia of Mahidol, and Dennis Malone (far right).

(Click image to enlarge)

Dr. Susan Malone began her career in mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE) in Papua New Guinea (PNG) under the auspices of SIL International, a non-governmental organization.

  • From 1982 to 1991, she served as technical advisor, first to the Kaugel language community in the Western Highlands Province and then to the PNG National Department of Education in support of mother tongue education for preschool children.

  • Dr. Malone received her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Indiana University in 1997.

  • Since then, she has worked with language communities, governments, and non-government organizations in over 30 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, supporting their efforts to establish strong and sustained MTB-MLE programs.

  • She has facilitated numerous workshops relating to MLE program planning, curriculum and materials development and teacher training.

  • Her MTB-MLE resource materials are used by practitioners around the world.

  • As Asia Area Literacy Coordinator for SIL International (1998-2008), Dr. Malone, with UNESCO and Mahidol University, coordinated the first two Bangkok Language and Education Conferences.

  • She is the author of UNESCO’s recently revised MLE Advocacy Kit.

Since language and identity are tightly intertwined, SIL recognizes the value of the mother tongue and is committed to supporting communities in the use of their languages in new ways to address their changing needs. SIL provides technical support to language communities, government agencies and non-government organizations in planning and implementing strong and sustainable mother tongue-based multilingual education programs in both formal and non-formal systems.


 

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