University?s excellence is not merely judged by the research activities and successes achieved, but also from a clear vision and mission.
Gary Miller, Barry Corey, and Jonathan Parapak
UPH, Lippo Village (8 / 4) ? University?s excellence is not merely judged by the research activities and successes achieved, but also from a clear vision and mission. Because from the vision and mission, tangible results can be seen and felt by wider community.
Until now, Christian universities, especially in Indonesia, are still looking for the models that in the eyes of the Lord would be a true Christian university. As an effort to provide inputs to the Christian universities and educational institutions in Indonesia, members of BK-PTKI (Badan Koordinasi Perguruan Tinggi Kristen Indonesia ? Association of Christian Colleges and Universities in Indonesia) joined the International Conference on Holistic Education and Quality Assurance, which was held at UPH campus.
The seminar presented Dr. Barry Corey ? President of Biola University, USA ? who was sharing his experiences in managing a Christian university in his country. He conveyed 10 important questions that need to be reviewed by the leaders of Christian higher educations today.
- How are you defining the marks of your Christian-based university?
- Mission and Vision
- Faculty Composition
- Student Body percentages
- An Integrative Curriculum
- CO-curricular Requirements/Culture
- Board and President
- Place of the Christian Scriptures
- Denominational Affiliations and Creed
- Celebrations and Internal Conversations
- Proximity of the Theological School/Department
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- How are you developing a growing reputation for being serious about teaching, learning and scholarship?
- Are you studying other colleges and universities for best practices without becoming who you are not?
- In what ways are you nurturing a culture where faculty teach from a posture of caring deeply for students?
- Do you teach and research from a cohesive perspective of thinking Christianly about truth?
- Are you cultivating a culture of boldness in your students to make a difference in the world for the good?
- Do you have a clearly stated mission and vision and are you reinforcing them at every level of the university?
- What are you doing to establish traditions and public moments to celebrate who you are as a Christian university?
- Are you pondering deeply the long term implications of every decision as it relates to your mission (and not just the short-term implications as they relate to finance, recruitment, approval or image)?
- Are you Christian institution for the 21st century by having a firm center but soft edges?
The second speaker in this seminar was Gary A. Miller, Ph.D., UPH Executive Vice Chancellor. In the seminar Gary was discussing a model for a Christian University in Asia.
On this occasion, Gary revealed that the models of Christian university in each Asian country had different characteristics, being influenced by the historical development of Christianity in each country, government systems and local culture. However, according to him, the main purpose of Christian educations is to provide transformational learning that begins with knowledge that deliberately and systematically affects every aspect of the character, so that students or graduates will glorify God.
Later he delivered 7 core values that need to be possessed by a Christian university i.e.:
- Bible Study and theology are prioritized.
- Mission and vision are focused on God, biblical values and integrated teaching, learning and living.
- Key leaders are deeply committed as followers of Jesus Christ. Faculty/lecturers pledge allegiance to Statements of Faith/Doctrine.
- Curriculum and co-curriculum attempt to intentionally engage students in faith-based principles to develop Christian-worldview.
- Students develop a commitment to serving others.
- Encouragement and support are given for faculty & students to actively engage in research and creative scholarship.
- Ideally building community values of justice, integrity, holiness, humility and love for one another.
These seven values were then outlined in the policy relating to People, Programs, Service, Scholarship & Creative Expression, and Spiritual Growth.
This seminar was a part of the BK-PTKI Academic Convention program that lasted 3 days, from April 7 ? 9, 2010 at UPH Campus, Lippo Village, Tangerang. In addition to this seminar, another topic was also discussed ? Christian Universities in Indonesia: Opportunities & Challenges, and workshops on Quality Assurance for a Holistic Educations, delivered by Prof. Dr. Johannes Gunawan, SH., LLM. The Convention was attended by representatives from several Christian universities, including: UKI Jakarta, Universitas Maranatha ? Bandung, Universitas HKBP Nomensen ? Medan, Universitas Kristen Artha Wacana ? Kupang, Unika Parahyangan ? Bandung, UNKRIT, Unika Atma Jaya ? Yogyakarta, Akademi Perawat RS. PGI Cikini ? Jakarta, UKI Toraja, UKIM – Ambon, Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana – Yogyakarta, UNKRIP ? Palangkaraya, Universitas Kristen PETRA ? Surabaya, and UPH as the host. (ros)
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