The International Conference for College and University Presidents was held at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists’ headquarters, Silver Springs, Maryland, USA, from March 24 to 27, 2014. One hundred and fifty college and university presidents (some with their spouses) of Adventist institutions from around the world participated in this conference together with all 13 Divisions’ education directors, the director and associate directors of the GC Education Department, and other GC officers and directors.
The Conference was led out by the GC Education Department and began with a sumptuous supper followed by a “Division showcase” where some Divisions shared significant happenings in their Division fields. NSD presented the work of TAC in one of the extension sites in UT which has been supported by visits of conferences, unions, Division and GC personnel.
Four presidents of our colleges and university plus the Division Education Director represented NSD. Dr Kim, Sang Lae, president of Sahmyook University, was also selected to share in a panel on the success of the work of the university in accomplishing the mission and vision of the institution.
Concurrent with the Conference, the GC held a week of prayer which provided an opportunity for all participants to be blessed. The chosen speaker, Dr Richard (Dick) Barron’s presentation on the theme of “It’s All About Love” spoke directly to all the presidents and the challenges they were facing.
Immediately after the Conference, the presidents were invited to join in the following official yearly meetings of the GC Education Department as observers from March 30-April 1, 2014:
• The International Board of Education and International Board of Ministerial and Theological Education (IBE/IBMTE) Program Review Committee
• The IBE/IBMTE meetings
• Meetings of the Accrediting Association of Seventh-day Adventist Schools, Colleges and Universities (AAA)
The Conference was indeed a great success; many participants have recommended that such a conference be held at least once a quinquennium. Besides the learning, many of these presidents have renewed their friendship with fellow colleagues they have known since their school days and were able to network for collaborative work with many sister institutions.
By Phoon Chek Yat