Email from United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia

From the President

As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, I'm delighted to share the more recent updates and the accomplishments of our Team. This newsletter celebrates the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and dedication that defines our broader community.

One of the highlights of this edition is a report on the United Board Heads of Institution Leadership Strategy Summit which met in Singapore this July. This gathering brought together 27 leaders from across Asia to discuss pressing issues shaping the future of higher education such as adaptability, balancing character formation with workplace and marketplace pressures, ethics, and sustainability. This Summit underscored the importance of partnerships and investing in future-oriented strategies.

Next, we introduce you to Dr. Zhenxing Zhao, a Chinese scholar teaching in Singapore. Dr. Zhao's research bridges the humanities and modern digital technology, making him a pioneer in his field. He was one of the 14 scholars selected to participate in the Institute for Advanced Study in Asian Cultures and Theologies (IASACT) program held in Hong Kong this summer.

More of our recent activities were recapped in the “Program Highlights” section, including the Asian Academy of Campus Ministry (AACM), and the launch of the 2024-2025 United Board Fellows Program. We are deeply grateful to our generous supporters whose contributions have made these programs possible for so many.

In May, a team of three of us visited several universities in Taiwan to deepen our relationship and explore collaborative opportunities. We engaged with university leaders to understand their current challenges and aspirations, and to identify areas for potential collaboration. These interactions reaffirmed our commitment to our network in Taiwan and provided valuable insights for developing a regional strategy.

Furthermore, we expanded our outreach by meeting with key figures in higher education and visiting a faith-based charitable establishment. These engagements allowed us to broaden our understanding of the Taiwanese educational landscape and identify additional opportunities for collaboration.

We are also excited to introduce our new team members who will be leading strategic initiatives in educational technology and partnerships. Their expertise will be instrumental in advancing our mission and enhancing our impact across the region.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has contributed to these collective efforts. Your dedication, passion, and hard work are the driving forces behind our success.

As we continue to navigate the complexities of the modern educational landscape, let us remain committed to fostering inclusive, innovative, and values-based education. Together, we can create a brighter future for higher education in Asia and beyond.

Thank you,

Pareena Gupta Lawrence

President

The First Stone was Laid

Pareena Gupta Lawrence

The months leading up to the United Board Heads of Institution Leadership Strategy Summit were a mix of excitement and some degree of apprehension. Shortly after assuming the presidency of the United Board, I conceived of a gathering of top leaders from Asian higher education institutions for a protracted period of time that would result in actionable change. This idea was both inspiring and intimidating, but it also highlighted the urgent need for collective action. We aimed to equip institutions to navigate the evolving landscape of higher education and to chart new courses for the future while holding firmly to our Christian values and identity.

From Ancient Texts to Big Tech

Zhenxing Zhao meets the United Board's IASACT

Dr. Zhenxing Zhao has made significant strides in bridging the gap between traditional humanities and modern digital technology. Born in mainland China and now teaching in Singapore, Dr. Zhao has enriched the academic landscape with his diverse expertise. He completed his PhD in Classical Chinese Literature at the National University of Singapore. His research interests have since expanded to include the Chinese Lyric Tradition, Comparative Literature, Landscape Design, and Digital Humanities.

Program Highlights

In the past few months, the United Board has been bustling with a variety of impactful events and programs, each designed to foster growth, dialogue, and collaboration across diverse communities. From the enlightening exposure trip to Indonesia by the Asian Academy of Campus Ministry, which deepened understanding of multi-faith interactions, to the thought-provoking symposium on Generative Artificial Intelligence exploring its implications for higher education, our initiatives have been both dynamic and transformative, and they are well supported by donors and friends and well-received by the populations of scholars and leaders they serve.

Meeting Friends and Strengthening Ties

From 27 May to 31 May 2024, a delegation from the United Board, comprising President Dr. Pareena Gupta Lawrence, Executive Vice President Mr. Ricky Cheng, and Program Director of Leadership Development Dr. Jakarin Srimoon, embarked on a trip to Taiwan. They visited several universities in the United Board Network and met with key stakeholders, to strength relationships, gain insights into challenges, and explore collaborative opportunities.

Staff News

Two new members joined the United Board to take the lead in the strategic initiatives of educational technology and partnerships. Mr. Christian Aung had served as Head of Marketing at German Standard and was previously an Academic Coordinator at Harbour.Space University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, after leading ASEAN Programs at the same institution. He holds an MBA in Digital Marketing from Harbour.Space and an MBA in Entrepreneurship from the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, where he also completed his BBA in International Business Management.

Christian joined the United Board in May 2024 as Education Technology Officer. He is tasked with developing and executing a strategic plan for the incorporation of AI and other advanced Educational Technologies (EdTech) into the organization’s initiatives, aligning with its key priorities. Christian works closely with network institutions and grantees to ensure the successful implementation of EdTech programs, facilitate faculty development in AI and hybrid learning, and promote lifelong learning opportunities. He is based in the Hong Kong office.

Dr. Anita Christine Tiphagne holds postgraduate degrees in Sociology and Social work and a PhD in Sociology from the Madurai Kamaraj University, India. She had worked as Assistant Professor at the Department of Social Sciences at Lady Doak College for 17 years. She was awarded the Elisabeth Luce Moore Scholarship for her outstanding performance in leadership development at the United Board Fellows Program 2019-2020.

Anita joined the United Board in July 2024 as Consultant, Assistant Director of Administration and Partnerships. Based in our consultancy office in Chennai, India, Anita is responsible for the operations and administration of the consultancy office and helping to build and facilitate partnerships among the United Board network.