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This fall marks a season of innovation, community-building, and transformation across our network, a season that reflects the enduring power of whole person education. I am deeply grateful to the dedication of our educators, partners, and alumni who continue to shape this shared journey, strengthening our mission and expanding its impact across Asia.
We begin this issue of the United Board e-newsletter by honoring the inspiring journey of United Board Trustee Ms. Shiranee Mills. Her life and work radiate passion for both education and music, and her leadership in service to Sri Lanka’s schools and the Women's Education and Research Centre in Colombo stands as a beacon of hope. Through music, Ms. Mills has fostered resilience, empathy, and healing among young minds and communities moving beyond conflict; she reminds us that the arts have the power not only to nurture individuals, but to unite and restore entire communities.
This summer, the 2025 Institute for Advanced Study in Asian Cultures and Theologies assembled scholars from across Asia, who explored the intricate relationships between food, faith, and culture. Their research and cross-cultural dialogues illuminate the richness of Asian foodscapes and reveal the ethical, cultural, and religious complexities that enrich our shared humanity. Their curiosity and collaboration exemplify our commitment to advancing innovative scholarship and fostering deeper mutual understanding.
We celebrate the resounding success of our Institutional Seed Grants Program, which has empowered institutions such as Patna Women’s College, Jayaraj Annapackiam College for Women, and Loreto College to champion holistic faculty development. These programs continue to strengthen academic communities in underserved regions, ensuring the benefits of whole person education to reach those who need it most.
In the following pages, you will also learn about the Asian Academy for Campus Ministry held in Hong Kong and the Summer Leadership Institute in Singapore which continue to nurture student well-being, mental health, and strong leadership across our campuses. Our dynamic Alumni Webinar Series and Virtual Mentorship Training further equip educators for future challenges.
We want to extend special thanks to the alumni of Whole Person Education Academy, whose dedication is helping advance whole person education in Northeast India through our partnership with Don Bosco College, Maram. Their work inspires transformative teaching and leadership.
We are also delighted to welcome our new trustees—Dr. Eun Mee Kim, Rev. Dr. Huang Po Ho, and Dr. Sheila Amin Gutiérrez de Piñeres—whose wisdom will guide our journey. In this moment of growth toward transformative education in Asia, we also honor Dr. Po Chuen Chan, whose legacy of scholarship and service will continue to light our way.
Together, these stories weave a vibrant tapestry of resilience, imagination, and the shared belief in the power of education to heal, transform, and unite. I invite you to continue walking with us on this journey, shaping new generations of whole person educators across Asia.
With heartfelt thanks and belief in the future,
| The Melodious Ms. Mills
United Board Trustee Shiranee Mills's Journey in Education and Music | As a trustee of the United Board based in Sri Lanka, Ms. Shiranee Mills brings to her service a lifelong passion for both education and music—two strands woven together throughout her personal and professional journey. Read more | | IASACT 2025: Food, Faith, and Culture | | The 2025 Institute for Advanced Study in Asian Cultures and Theologies (IASACT), one of the United Board’s signature programs, drew to a close on July 19, 2025 at the Divinity School of Chung Chi College, CUHK. This year, 15 scholars from across Asia gathered for a month of ground-breaking research, vibrant conversations, and interdisciplinary exploration centered around the theme of “Asian Foodscapes”—with special focus on ethical food practices, sustainable systems, and the intersections of culture, religion, and community well-being. Read more | | Sowing the Seeds for Whole Person Educators | | The United Board’s new Institutional Seed Grants Program (ISGP) has rapidly made its mark in advancing Whole Person Education across Asia, empowering institutions new to its network to innovate and lead impactful faculty development initiatives. The recent program at Patna Women’s College in August stands out as a showcase of success, bringing together over 90 faculty from diverse disciplines for meaningful engagement. It was not only funded by the grant but also enriched by the expertise and involvement of United Board staff from our Hong Kong and Chennai offices and alumni of the Whole Person Education Academy—Dr. Vijay Solomon, Dr. Samrat, Dr. Nithila Devakarunyam, and Dr. Alphy Geever. Participants delved into whole person education, digital learning, and research for social good, echoing the United Board’s commitment to nurturing holistic academic communities. | |
As September unfolds, anticipation is building for similar faculty development programmes at Jayaraj Annapackiam College for Women and Loreto College, both supported by the ISGP. Jayaraj Annapackiam College’s agenda focuses on advancing leadership and innovative pedagogies in Whole Person Education, with sessions and hands-on training designed to strengthen faculty mentorship and institutional culture. Meanwhile, Loreto College will convene educators for a multi-day program aligning teaching practices with the latest National Educational Policy (NEP) and National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) standards, driving continuous improvement and academic excellence.
From Patna to Periyakulam to Kolkata, the ISGP is creating ripples of transformation—enriching faculty, shaping curriculum, and building vibrant learning communities. More stories of success and impact will be shared as these September programs unfold, reflecting our unwavering vision to serve underserved institutions and champion Whole Person Education in Asia.
| | The 2025 Cohort of Minders and Carers | |
The Asian Academy for Campus Ministry (AACM) 2025, held at Hong Kong Baptist University from April 30 to May 6, brought together 30 educators and campus ministers from 12 countries across Asia. Under the theme “Nurturing Minds, Empowering Lives: Advancing Mental Health and Mentorship in Campus Communities”, the academy focused on equipping participants with new perspectives and practical strategies to support student well-being and holistic development throughout their college education and beyond. Read more
| | Three distinguished individuals have joined the Board of Trustees, each beginning a three-year term effective July 1, 2025. Their wealth of experience and diverse backgrounds will undoubtedly strengthen the United Board’s collective expertise. | Dr. Eun Mee Kim brings with her a remarkable career in higher education and public service. Most recently, Eun Mee served as Professor Emeritus and as the 17th President of Ewha Womans University, where she led from March 2021 to January 2025. Notably, she is the first UN Women’s Goodwill Ambassador from the Republic of Korea and holds the honor of being the first woman to serve on Samsung Electronics’ Board of Directors (2013-2016). Her accolades include, among others, the Republic of Korea’s Order of Service Merit – Highest Order Blue Stripes (2025) and the Chang-Lin Tien Distinguished Leadership Award from the Asia Foundation. | Rev. Dr. Huang Po Ho is the founding director of the Academy for Contextual Theologies in Taiwan and currently serves as Chairperson of the Asian Forum for Theological Movements. He is also an adjunct professor of Theology at Chang Jung Christian University, where he previously served for over a decade as Vice President and Professor of Theology. Prior to his retirement from full-time academic leadership, he was the President of Tainan Theological College and Seminary, Taiwan’s most historic theological institution. | |
Dr. Sheila Amin Gutiérrez de Piñeres, Dean of the Burnett Honors College and professor of public administration at the University of Central Florida (UCF), joins us with a distinguished background in academic administration and public policy. She currently leads strategic efforts in information technology at UCF and has held key academic leadership positions at Austin College in Sherman, Texas, and the University of Texas at Dallas. Sheila’s ongoing research in economic development, her national recognition as a leader in honors education, and her extensive board service will be invaluable to our mission.
The United Board welcomes these new members and is looking forward to benefit from their visions, expertise and services to Board affairs as well as its various committees.
| | In Memoriam: Po Chuen Chan | Po Chuen Chan (1933–2025) | | |
(From right) Po Chuen, Mr. Ricky Cheng, Ms. Trudy Loo, and Mrs. Lillian Chan in August 2019
The United Board honors the life and legacy of Po Chuen Chan, PhD, a United Board-ICU scholar and respected figure in toxicology and a kind-hearted soul, who left us peacefully on June 11, 2025 at the age of 92. He faced the challenges of Parkinson’s disease with remarkable grace and dignity.
Born in China in 1933 and raised in Hong Kong, Po Chuen seized the opportunity to apply for a scholarship from the United Board after graduating from high school. This opportunity allowed him to pursue his studies in biology at International Christian University (ICU) in Tokyo. Grateful for this transformative opportunity, he dedicated himself to giving back to the United Board and has become a generous donor and a devoted friend.
Throughout his distinguished career, Po Chuen made significant contributions to cancer research at esteemed institutions such as Rockefeller University and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. His groundbreaking work on the effects of environmental toxins on cancer development not only advanced our understanding of disease mechanisms but also shaped public health policies, leaving a lasting impact in the field.
Po Chuen has said, “The United Board and ICU gave me a life that was meaningful and rewarding, a life full of enjoyment, happiness, and satisfaction.” We are proud of and will always remember this loyal and distinguished alumnus for his warm spirit, gentle humor, and the joy he brought to all who knew him.
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