The
United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia voted
in May 2001 to establish the Asian Christian Higher Education
Institute (Asian Institute). The purpose of the Asian
Institute is to identify, support and coordinate programs
that will strengthen a Christian presence in academic communities
in Asia. The Institute serves as a program arm of the United
Board and acts as its representative office in Asia.
The Institute promotes greater collaboration and mutual support
among academic institutions in Asia. Inter-institutional cooperation
is a feature that marks all its activities. Current programs
undertaken are:
1.
Leadership training for new university
trustees, presidents, vice presidents, academic deans, deans
of students, campus ministers, and other university administrative
staff;
2.
Formation of an
all-Asia Christian Faculty Association and encouraging establishment
of country-based faculty fellowships;
3.
Organizing thoughtful reflection
on the varieties of Asian Christian identity and theological
education;
4.
Coordinating efforts
in areas of women’s studies;
5.
Promoting interfaith
dialogue on Christian university campuses;
6.
Institutionalization
of service-learning;
7.
Encouraging cooperative
curricular and degree development programs; and
8.
Building student alliances through creative
faculty involvement in academic disciplines that celebrate
diversity of Asian cultures and Christian contexts.
