Hong Kong Adventist College (HKAC) has a mission to teach and to train young people to become workers who will finish God’s work before the end of the world. Together with the Chinese Adventist Seminary (CAS), which is located on the same campus, HKAC is doing its best to fulfill its mission.
HKAC and CAS held a graduation ceremony on July 10, 2016, on the HKAC campus, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong. In his report to Dr. Jairyong Lee, president of the Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD), Dr. Onn Liang, HKAC academic dean, wrote, “CAS graduated 300 students last 2015-16 school year.
Approximately 130 CAS students from the Unorganized Territory (UT) came to Hong Kong for graduation on July 10. The majority of them completed the 30-credit certificate program. However, among them were 34 students who had completed the B.A. Religion/ B.A. Theological Studies programs: 8 from HKAC campus, 15 from Chengdu Center, and 11 from the Distance Learning Division.”
This is historic because this group of graduates from the UT is the first batch of students to complete the four-year religion program. “It’s one of the most excited memories,” wrote Dr. Bob Folkenberg, Jr., president of Chinese Union Mission, in his letter to the NSD leaders.
During graduation weekend, no fewer than 205 people, including graduates and their family members, came from the UT to celebrate the achievements and to give glory to God for making education possible for the young people of the UT.
At the commencement ceremony, Dr. Folkenberg, Jr., addressed the graduating class with a message based on their motto and theme. The motto was “Fear Conquered, Challenges Overcome, Services Anticipated.” The theme was “Follow Your Heart.”
In affiliation with Andrews University, Michigan, USA, the college offers the following bachelor degrees awarded by Andrews University: B.A. in Religion, B.S. in Health and Fitness, and B.S. in Psychology. In addition to these programs offered at HKAC, CAS is offering a Bachelor of Ministry (four-year program) degree, a two-year diploma in religion, and a one-year certificate in religion.
HKAC president, Dr. Dan Cheung, who has been there for only about seven months, has a vision for the future of HKAC. One of them is to begin the High Diploma Enrolled Nurse program in September 2017.
This future nursing program needs to be accredited by Hong Kong Nursing Council and HKCAAVQ (Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications) in the early months of 2017. This will require prayers, effort, and support.
By Richard A. Sabuin, NSD Education Director