United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia

The United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia (also known simply as the "United Board") is an organization founded in 1922 that works to support Christian education in colleges and universities in Asia. The Board is a 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in the State of New York, and is also a registered charity in Hong Kong. It works together with higher education institutions in 13 countries and regions of Asia, both conduction program, and making grants. Traditionally, it has worked primarily in China.

History

The organization was established as the “Central Office of the China Union Universities” in New York City in 1922 to coordinate administrative and financial work of the North American boards of trustees of several Protestant Christian colleges in China. On May 18, 1945, the Regents of the University of the State of New York issued a charter consolidating several existing colleges and universities into a new corporation with the name "United Board for Christian Colleges in China"; by the end of the 1940s, the organization was working with thirteen Protestant Christian colleges in China: Fukien Christian University, Ginling College, Hangchow University, Huachung University, Hwa Nan College, Lingnan University, Nanking University, St. John's University, Shanghai, University of Shanghai, Shantung Christian University, Soochow University, West China Union University, and Yenching University.[1][2][3]

When the Chinese Revolution left the Board unable to continue work in China after 1951, the organization devoted its activities to other areas, supporting Tunghai University in Taiwan[4][5] and Chung Chi College in Hong Kong.[6] It provided assistance to International Christian University in Japan, Yonsei University in Korea, and Silliman University in the Philippines. In the 1970s, it began work with institutions in Thailand, Indonesia, India, and several other countries, and changed its name to the present United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia.[7]

When diplomatic relations between the United States and China resumed, the organization was invited to return to China in 1980. The organization decided to expand its work to non-Christian educational and political environments, and resumed its work in secular China. In the 1990s, it established relationships with institutions in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar.

Faculty and Leadership Development Programs

The United Board provides scholarships, fellowships, conferences and networking opportunities. Its programs include its Asian University Leaders Program, United Board Fellows Program.[8] Faculty Scholarship Program, and Institute for Advanced Study in Asian Cultures and Theologies

References

  1. ↑ Smalley, Martha (1998) "Hallowed Halls: Protestant Colleges in Old China", p. 12-13, Old China Hand Press, ISBN 962-7872-12-1.
  2. ↑ Fenn, William P. 2nd ed. (1994) "Ever New Horizons: The Story of The United Board For Christian Higher Education In Asia", Mennonite Press.
  3. ↑ Archives of the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia at Yale University Divinity School Library
  4. ↑ Tunghai University History Archived January 4, 2014, at the Wayback Machine.
  5. ↑ 洪銘水, '東海五十年剪影', 東海大學校史編輯委員會 (2006) "東海大學五十年校史(一九五五- 二零零五)", p.9-12, 東海大學出版社, ISBN 978-957-9104-37-1.
  6. ↑ Aims and Brief History, Chung Chi College Official Website.
  7. ↑ Lauby, Paul T. (1996) "Sailing on Winds of Change: Two Decades in the Life of the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia", Ebsco Media, ISBN 0-9646943-1-X.
  8. ↑ UB Fellow at Payap, a Payap University newsletter with a brief introduction of the United Board Fellows Program
  1. United Board official website
  2. United Board 90th Anniversary Video at YouTube / YouKu
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