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Leaders’ Visit : AIIAS Hosts Nostalgic Reunion with General Conference and SunPlus Delegation

AIIAS welcomed distinguished representatives from the Adventist world church headquarters and SunPlus on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, led by General Conference treasurer, Paul H. Douglas. The delegation included Eugene Korff, controller at the General Conference, and Markus Musa Dangana, treasurer for the West-Central Africa Division. 


General Conference associate treasurer, George Egwakhe, who is also a former vice president for finance at AIIAS joined the team, reconnecting with former colleagues and reminiscing about his tenure at the institution.


The day began at the AIIAS administration building, where the visitors engaged in discussions with AIIAS staff members, reflecting on their past roles and the evolution of administrative practices at AIIAS.


The group then explored the AIIAS Leslie Hardinge Library, where Elder Douglas and others tried the coloring corner, visited the writing corner, and interacted with exhibits in the E G White Branch Office. They then visited AIIAS Academy, participating in activities like ping-pong and observing classes.

Making their way back from the Academy building and passing by the Bell Tower, Elder Egwakhe praised, “AIIAS has a truly beautiful campus landscape,” as he captured the scenery using his phone.


“The visitors were captivated by the campus’s stunning landscape, facilities, hospitality, community, and educational offerings during their insightful visit,” said AIIAS VP for student services, Pr. Robert Benjamin, who accompanied the team as he shared the sentiments of the visitors that day.


The team was part of a larger delegation who were in the Philippines for the SunPlus Connect 2024 event held at the Adventist regional headquarters for Southern Asia Pacific, in Silang, from July 15 to 19, 2024.

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AIIAS Mourns the loss of Dato’ Dr. Tan Hian Tsin, the generous philanthropist for AIIAS’ Tan Siew Huy Auditorium.

The Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies community deeply mourns the loss of Dato’ Dr. TAN HIAN TSIN and uplifts his family in prayer during this time of grief.

Dato’ Dr. TAN HIAN TSIN was the founding chairman of the Crocodile Foundation Limited Inc. and a generous philanthropist who made significant gifts toward our Tan Siew Huy Auditorium (named in honor of his brother). Dato’ Dr. TAN HIAN TSIN touched the lives of people all over the world with his support in developing Adventist leaders. 

On behalf of the AIIAS family, we offer our Christian sympathy and condolences to the bereaved family and the extended Tan family. Our prayer is that the Comforter be close to the family as we look forward to Christ’s soon return when He will provide us with eternal life. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

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AIIAS Welcomes New Chairperson of the Public Health Department, Dr. Edward Nathan, and Director of Institutional Quality Assurance, Dr. Shanthi Solomon

After two years of planning, two new faculty members have recently joined AIIAS: Dr. Edward Nathan and Dr. Shanthi Solomon, have taken up their roles as faculty in the AIIAS Public Health Department, both combined with respective administrative duties.

 

Before coming to AIIAS, Dr. Nathan, a Malaysian national, received his MBBS from Christian Medical College, Vellore, and an MPH and DrPH from Loma Linda University, USA. He most recently served at Penang Adventist Hospital (Malaysia) as the assistant vice president of medical administration. Beginning in January 2024 he took up his new appointment as AIIAS faculty and chair of the public health department.

 

Dr. Nathan’s previous work experience includes being a houseman and medical officer. He has worked as a surgeon for cardiac, orthopedic, and general cases in several hospitals around Malaysia. Since 2008 he has served the Adventist Lifestyle Center of Penang Adventist Hospital (PAH) as a Public Health doctor, head of clinical services, head of the hospital’s Adventist Research Center, and eventually head of the medical unit at PAH. In addition to his medical work, Dr. Nathan enjoys working with young people and has actively served the church as Pathfinder director, AY leader, and church leader since his youth. He also finds great joy in organizing and participating in mission trips for public health outreach to many countries. Dr. Nathan has authored research on vegan and vegetarian diets and their effects on hypothyroidism.

 

Also joining AIIAS is Dr. Shanthi Solomon, Dr. Edward Nathan’s wife, who will serve as the director of institutional quality assurance with faculty appointment in the public health department. Dr. Solomon is an Indian national with her PhD in Nursing from Loma Linda University. She earned her nursing degree from Christian Medical College, Vellore, India, and her Master of Science as a Clinical Nurse Specialist at Loma Linda University. In addition to her nursing experience, Dr. Solomon has taught health and clinical subjects in India, Malaysia and the US to nursing students. As a Community Health Educator she was part of the team that set up the Adventist Wellness Center at Penang Adventist Hospital (PAH). She served as a research administrative assistant for the School of Nursing of Loma Linda University, and later as an assistant professor there and at Pacific Union College in California. Additionally, she has worked in administrative roles, most recently as the head of the Adventist College of Nursing and Health Sciences in Penang, Malaysia.

 

Welcome to AIIAS, Dr. Edward Nathan and Dr. Shanthi Solomon! We are blessed to have you here.

— Sharnie Love Zamora, AIIAS Assistant for Institutional Writing

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AIIAS Celebrates 108th Graduation With Emphasis on Lifelong Faithfulness

The Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS) held its 108th commencement for the 2023-2024 academic year, themed “Faithful Beginnings, Victorious Endings.” By interesting coincidence, 108 graduates received their degrees at this 108th commencement.


AIIAS President Dr. Ginger Ketting-Weller introduced commencement speaker Dr. Daniel Bediako, associate director of the Biblical Research Institute in Maryland, USA, noting his leadership roles within academia and the church, and his contributions to exploring Biblical truths. 


Using the biblical story of King Asa as a cautionary tale, Dr. Bediako emphasized the importance of remaining faithful throughout life. He noted that while Asa began faithfully, he later relied on human help instead of God. “Your training has prepared you to inspire hope and pursue good, ready to change the world. Embrace the challenges ahead as opportunities for growth and innovation,” said Dr. Bediako. “Keep Christ at the center of your actions and decisions, serving others selflessly.”

This year, 79 graduated from the Seminary and 29 from the Graduate School, representing 30 countries. A significant group had completed the MA in Ministry Intercultural Studies program, focusing in studies in Islam and in urban ministries. 


The class gifted AIIAS with a library book transport system to enhance AIIAS library services.

The Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines, Agus Widjojo, and his wife, along with four other embassy officials, graced the ceremony in a strong gesture of support for the 15 graduates from Indonesia. 


Graduation celebrations kicked off on Thursday evening with a reception hosted by Dr. Ginger Ketting-Weller, featuring Filipino delicacies. During the gathering at the Function Hall, she introduced the AIIAS administrators, faculty, and staff directors. Online students were able to meet some of their professors in person for the very first time, and family members enjoyed meeting beloved mentors of the graduates. 


On Friday, evening the Consecration ceremony featured class sponsors Dr. Pavel Zubkov (Applied Theology) and his wife Liliya (English Center), who presented a photovoice demonstration called “Milestones of Faith,” showcasing student-taken photographs and their narratives of God’s faithfulness. “We charge you to continue to be faithful to God, take every opportunity to serve and excel, and learn to collaborate with God and others,” they said. “Achieving a victorious ending means graduating from God’s school of submission and brokenness and entering into His joy,” Liliya concluded.


At the Baccalaureate worship on Sabbath, Dr. Terry Tsui, president of Taiwan Adventist College, spoke about the life of Moses, emphasizing humility and daily surrender to God. “Walk humbly with your God, not ahead or behind, but with Him daily,” advised Dr. Tsui. He stressed that true education and character are paramount, and shared stories of courage as seen in his students who  have learned to be effective evangelists, regardless of their area of study and sometimes in dangerous circumstances.


This year’s graduation featured a parade of country flags, orchestral renditions, and guest choral groups, creating a festive atmosphere for the graduates and their families. The 108th graduation and commissioning, held from May 17 to 19, 2024, concluded on a high note, with heartfelt appreciation to everyone who made the events possible and gratitude for God’s guidance over the institution’s 52-year history of developing leaders for mission.

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Olaotse and Chandapiwe Gabasiane Accept Call to Move to Adventist University of Africa, in Kenya

After serving at the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS) for six years, Olaotse and Chandapiwe (Betty) Gabasiane have departed to fill a long-vacant missiologist position at the Adventist University of Africa (AUA) in Nairobi, Kenya, beginning March 2024.

 

Olaotse Gabasiane came to the Philippines in 2018 to serve as an assistant professor of Applied Theology at the AIIAS Theological Seminary. He later became the program director of the Master of Arts in Ministry program and an associate editor for the Journal of Asia Adventist Seminary (JAAS).

 

Gabasiane’s expertise in missiology and his leadership skills have enriched the seminary. AIIAS Applied Theology Department Chairperson Pavel Zubkov says: “We will remember Dr. Olaotse for his fervent, unceasing prayers for all of us. He added skills in leadership and business ethics to our department. We will remember his organizing expertise and how he handled interpersonal communications in a gracious and professional manner. We will greatly miss his pastoral prayer and wisdom in the department’s business. May God bless him in that new place as He blessed him in AIIAS, and even more.”

 

Olaotse’s wife, “Betty” Chandapiwa Gabasiane, has served as an assistant counselor and teacher at AIIAS Academy (AA). “Ma’am Betty,” as the AIIAS Academy students and teachers refer to her, joined us as our school’s assistant counselor. She was soon counseling our students, some of their parents, and some of the graduate-level students,” notes AA Principal Jim Weller appreciatively. “When the pandemic drove us online, she began assisting the kindergarten teacher, an assignment she kept even after the national quarantine ended. We will miss her laughter, warmth, and playfulness.”

 

“I thank Dr. Olaotse Gabasiane for his commitment and support to our institution and for his dedicated work in looking out for the academic success of our students,” says AIIAS Seminary Dean Ricardo González. “I also appreciate his interactions with the faculty at large. His past administrative experience in Botswana has contributed to advancing AIIAS Seminary’s mission. I thank God for the time Dr. Gabasiane and his wife have served at our institution. May God continue to bless Dr. Gabasiane in his next stop in God’s service.”

 

The Gabasianes enjoyed serving at AIIAS because of the international setting. This move to Kenya marks a significant transition for the couple as they fulfill their desire to move closer to their family in Botswana.

 

Gabasiane shared that he will miss guiding students with their research at the Master’s and doctoral levels. “AIIAS is a very unique place, as is its community,” he observes. “Continue to be a close-knit community filled with God’s love and compassion. For AIIAS, let us continue serving God diligently and effectively, that being our ultimate goal. AIIAS will always be home to us!”

 

As they embark on a new chapter of their journey, AIIAS wishes the Gabasianes continued success and fulfillment in their endeavors. Their contributions to the mission of AIIAS will be well-remembered.

— Sharnie Love Zamora, AIIAS Assistant for Institutional Writing

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AIIAS Launches “Bethlehem Green” A Hydroponic Greenhouse Project for Ministry

To address the challenges of purchasing expensive vegetables and to promote sustainable farming practices, AIIAS Seminary Applied Theology Professor Dr. Kim SiYoung has spearheaded the launch of a hydroponic greenhouse project on the campus of the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS) in Silang, Cavite, Philippines.

Motivated by the high cost and difficulty of producing vegetables in the Philippines due to unpredictable weather, and by a lack of application of advanced farming techniques among Adventists in the region, Kim embarked on the Bethlehem Green project to address these pressing issues.

The project’s primary aim is to educate church leaders and students about innovative farming methods, and to provide fresh produce to those in need. Through months of planning, which included visits to hydroponic farms, research, and consultation with experts, Kim and his team laid the groundwork for the greenhouse initiative.It was funded by donors from South Korea.

The groundwork for the greenhouse’s foundation began on January 11, 2024. With the assistance of the CEO of Hydroponics Cavite and J&M Crops and Agricultural Supplies and Services, Mr. Mark Aries Camiguing, and his team, the eight-meter by 18-meter greenhouse and 2,700-hole hydroponics system was constructed within weeks. By February 1, 2024, a group of interested students, staff, and faculty of AIIAS attended an orientation on how this sustainable agricultural system operates. The group participated in a hands-on demonstration, from the delicate process of transplanting the seedlings to preparing precise measurements of nutrients that will circulate throughout the hydroponic system. A greenhouse opening ceremony was held on February 14, 2024, where the “Bethlehem Green” project was inaugurated. 

Kim emphasizes that God’s provision and the AIIAS administration have been instrumental in sourcing support for the project. The project’s success depends on collective effort and support from the AIIAS community and beyond. Volunteers will manage the garden, with one dedicated individual overseeing day-to-day operations. The garden organizers have also recruited missionaries from the 1000 Missionary Movement campus who have finished their one-year service in the mission field. 

 

With the foundation of the project firmly rooted in faith and community spirit, the next step is to ensure that the garden’s landscape design mirrors the same thoughtful care. Proper planning of walkways, planting beds, and seating areas will be essential to create a space that is both functional and inspiring. Traditional garden layouts that allow for quiet reflection, easy access, and natural beauty will help cultivate not only crops but also a deeper sense of fellowship among those who tend it.

 

To achieve such a timeless and practical design, the organizers can partner up with trusted names in landscape planning, including Sugar Green Gardens, whose experience in crafting spaces that blend form and function will prove invaluable. Their expertise in creating harmonious environments will help shape the garden into a peaceful haven, ensuring that every visitor feels the blessing of beauty and purpose the moment they step inside.

Dr. Kim notes that this project provides an additional opportunity for missionary training and engagement. The harvested produce will benefit not only individuals residing within the AIIAS community, but will also extend to those who would like to purchase the produce. Additionally, the produce will be distributed to local needy church members through the assistance of district pastors. 

Any profits from Bethlehem Green produce are slated to fund various missionary endeavors, ranging from outreach activities to evangelism, church construction, and missionary support. Kim explained that the greenhouse would serve as a “center of influence” for community service and collaboration. 

An open invitation is extended to those who are interested in lending a helping hand at the greenhouse. If you want to keep this project going by supporting us through donations, please contact us at scribe@aiias.edu.

— Sharnie Love Zamora, AIIAS Assistant for Institutional Writing