The late Drs. Robert and Grace Yuan cared deeply about the gift of education and giving back to Asian higher education, supporting the United Board and acting as integral members of their alumni communities for many decades. Their support of education was the product of parallel upbringings in China, where both were born to Christian families with ancestors high up …
The People of Our Mission
Learn more about the individuals whose achievements, dedication and generosity are at the heart of the United Board’s work.
A Legend and a Legacy: Helena Yu’s Service and Dedication to Women’s Education in China
The United Board joins her family in honoring the life of Helena Hsien-Tsai Yu, who passed away in 2021 in her centenary year. Helena was a distinguished woman and a longtime friend and partner of the United Board in supporting women’s education in China. Helena was born in Tianjin, China, on 10 April 1921. She was the third of six …
The Making of a Music School
The missive dropped through the letterbox of Juanelva Rose, and changed her life.
Shoko Kitanaka, International Christian University
The Basic Nature of Ministry
Shoko Kitanaka, a chaplain at International Christian University, has spent much time during the pandemic reflecting on the nature of ministry.
George and Janice Beran
A Long-lasting Connection to Silliman University
“We had a wonderful life in the Philippines,” Janice Beran said in a recent interview, and strong, continuing ties to Silliman University have prompted their support for faculty development at the university.
Annabelle Balor, University of St. La Salle
Building a sense of teamwork and willingness to tackle problems.
Ann English
A Long-standing Appreciation for Education
Ann English continues to support the causes that she and her late husband, John, felt strongly about, including the United Board.
A. Christina Nancy, Women’s Christian College
Linking Peacebuilding to Undergraduate Education
Dr. Christina Nancy is a physics educator who finds opportunities for peacebuilding in her daily life. She attended the Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute’s three-week training course, with support from the United Board, to receive more formal training as a peacebuilder.
Judith Berling
Insights from Our New Board Chair
Our new board chair reflects upon her career, her United Board service, and how the United Board can best support higher education in Asia.
Roland Chin, Hong Kong Baptist University
Guiding Principles for Leadership
Roland Chin, who has been serving as president and vice chancellor of Hong Kong Baptist University since 2015, relies on a set of guiding principles to ensure that his response is consistent with the values of higher education.
Budi Widianarko, Soegijapranata Catholic University
The Strengths and Values of a University
“Whole person education coincides with my vision of the strengths and values of a university,” Budi Widianarko said, reflecting on his recently completed tenure as rector of Soegijapranata Catholic University in Indonesia.
Strategic Planning: Strong Relationships and Shared Goals
Interview with Anthony Ruger, United Board Trustee
Strategic planning emphasizes the “intellectual” work of assessing strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats – the SWOT analysis – but often overlooks the equally important “relationship” work. That’s been the experience of Anthony Ruger, a United Board trustee and member of its Development Committee.