The New Mission College
In 1996 with SAUC in Singapore facing closure, Church leaders undertook a nine-month intensive study on possible relocation options which concluded with a decision to create a new international institution based at Muak Lek. The new college would combine the quality international programs of Southeast Asia Union College and retain and develop the Thai-medium programs operated by Mission College to create a bilingual institution.
The restructured Mission College at Muak Lek would be responsible for continuing the nursing program in Bangkok and Thai programs as required. The campus would be developed into an international standard educational center offering both undergraduate and graduate international programs. The ambitious plan envisaged the institution quickly maturing to university status and generating satellite campuses in various South-east Asian countries.
In January 1997 the development of the new facilities and academic programs commenced with much urgency. The first new degree following an international-type (English medium) curriculum received government approval in early 1999 and by early 2001 the College was able to offer a further eight international majors officially approved by the Ministry of University Affairs. At the same, a number of faculty from SAUC were chosen and sponsored to complete postgraduate and doctoral studies at Adventist universities in the United States with the intent of sending them to Muak Lek to assist the further development of the newly implemented academic programs.
A dramatic change in the physical outlook of the campus took place with a complete redesign of the campus and the erection of state-of-the-art facilities to accommodate and educate up to 1500 students. The academic and physical re-development of Mission College Muak Lek campus between 1997 and 2001 has been the largest one-time development program for an Adventist institution in the entire 150-year history of Seventh-day Adventist education. The development involved the investment of over US$ 20 million.
Southeast Asia Union Mission (SAUM) President Pastor Robin Riches encouraged the vision for quality education for Southeast Asia and made possible the financial commitment the new institution needed. Dr Siriporn Tantipoonwinai served as President of the institution during its metamorphosis and Dr Wong Yew-Chong as Academic Vice-President oversaw the creation of the new institution’s academic programs while SAUM Treasurer, Tom Massengill directed the building program. By July 2002 the last of the building developments and the extensive campus landscaping work was completed.
Read more about this topic: Asia-Pacific International University, History
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