30 June 2009

Mission College, Thailand, Achieves University Status

Mission College, the Southeast Asia Union Mission’s only tertiary institution has come of age. “The date June 30, 2009, will always hold a special place in the history of the institution,” commented a spokesperson. On that day the Minister of Education, Thailand, issued letters to grant university status after some agonizing delays on account of political events. The institution has taken the name Asia-Pacific International University. The name was chosen after careful consideration of the known reactions of some officials involved in issuing visas in selected surrounding countries.

The president, Dr Warren Shipton, said: “Gaining university status is a magnificent achievement for an institution which has been operating only in its present international format since 1999. We praise God for guiding us through some major obstacles to reach this destination. We are also grateful that the leaders who went before who built the institution on such a firm foundation.” The president gave tribute to the many faculty and staff who worked beyond the call of duty to prepare the documentation for the various government agencies. “The sheer volume and complexity of the endeavour challenged their skills, patience and energy. There are many people to thank but I am fearful that if I commence someone’s name will be omitted. However, I do wish to place on record the thought that every effort was greatly appreciated”, he said.

The character of the institution will not change. “It will maintain its focus on the Southeast Asian region and surrounding countries which do not have well-defined opportunities for Christian education. And it will continue to encourage all learners to appreciate the optimism and hope that Christianity gives and will encourage them to adopt the worldview and commitment which is characteristic of Christ’s devoted followers”, he said. The institution already attracts faculty and students from all the inhabited continents and around 40 nationalities are on campus. It represents a continuous training and evangelistic outreach centre for the church in this region.

Ten years ago three programs were amalgamated to enable the College to become a significant force in Southeast Asia giving the institution links to the heritage and vision of Mission College programs in Bangkok and Muak Lek and Southeast Asia Union College in Singapore. The present institution offers degrees in Arts and Humanities, Education and Psychology, Business Administration, Nursing Science, Religious Studies and Science and there are selected masters programs available. A well-established ESL program enables those not already possessing developed English skills to acquire these from native speaking experts. The new status will enable an expansion of degree offerings in a planned sequence at its two locations, namely a branch campus in the city (Bangkok) and the main campus in a pleasant country location (Muak Lek).

The field of tertiary education is becoming more competitive and demanding with greater attention being given to international standards, transferability of credits and research achievements. Asia-Pacific International University will maintain its emphasis on teaching excellence, but there is a greater realization that active research informs and enriches the teaching endeavour and is an integral part of the general expectation of university personnel. Adventist universities can be known for their contributions to the expanding pool of knowledge and their ability to advance human welfare. Some of the greatest challenges of Christian universities are to maintain their distinctive ethos and emphasize character development. These challenges are more likely to be fulfilled by Adventist universities with their views on the unity of knowledge surrounding the conviction that the Creator made the earth in a singular act and is the author of all wisdom.

The Director of Education, Southern Asia Pacific Division, Dr Mike Lekic, said that: “Achieving a university status recognizes the high academic standard across a wide range of subjects, consistently maintained over many years, the regard in which the current degrees from Mission College are held, and the excellent teaching and leadership,” and added ,“please accept my congratulations, and those of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division upon the announcement that Mission College has been successful in its application to become a university, Asia-Pacific International University. I consider it to be a well deserved recognition of the tremendous excellent work which the administration and all the staff of the college have undertaken over the years.”

Office of the President of Asia-Pacific International University