2014-2016 UNITED BOARD FELLOWS
Andreas Winardi
Duta Wacana Christian University, Indonesia
“United Board Fellows Program appeals to me because it prepares us to
be the agent of change. I hope to take an active part in shaping the future
of my home institution, rather than to be a passive observer or spectator.
I believe the program will equip me with necessary skills, knowledge and
attitude to do that mission.”
Andre is Head of Foreign Language Training Center. He received his MA in Teaching English
Language from De La Salle University in the Philippines through the United Board Faculty
Scholarship Program, and B.Ed in the same field from Sanata Dharma University in Indonesia.
Teaching is Andre’s passion. He loves sharing knowledge and values, and finds it a pleasure to
see students becoming better persons. Duta Wacana is in the process of opening an English
Department, and Andre has been nominated to be the Department Chair. He’s looking forward to
the fellowship and learning first-hand how to manage an English Department, at universities with
strong liberal arts traditions. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, especially books on leadership,
public speaking, business, personal development and Christian values. His love for reading
opens many opportunities for him. He is often invited to speak at churches, schools, and youth
organizations.
Angelina Ika Rahutami
Soegijapranata Catholic University, Indonesia
“I believe the United Board Fellows Program will be a great place for
me to sharpen my leadership ability, develop my networks and nurture
the values of humanity.”
Ika is lecturer and researcher at the Faculty of Economics and Business.
She has a PhD in Monetary and International Trade, an MS as well as a
BA in Economics, all from Gadjah Mada University in Indonesia. Ika was
the 1st winner of the Central Java outstanding lecturer honor and was
ranked 15th nationally as an outstanding lecturer in 2012. Ika chose a career in academia due to
her love for doing research and sharing knowledge with others. She thinks of herself as “a solid,
optimistic, authentic, and passionate woman who has big life energy”. Her previous leadership
position was Vice Rector for Academic Affairs (2009-2013). In her spare time, she enjoys
reading, writing poetry, photography and listening to music. Through her United Board
fellowship, Ika hopes to learn about curriculum development and teaching and learning at the
host universities, and to build an international academic network. She is also interested in
looking at the management of a professional research center, and how they develop networks,
and how to increase interest and capacity in research.
Anil Joseph Pinto
Christ University, India
“I choose this fellowship to learn from the American and Asian efforts in
evolving Higher Education with Christian ethos. I am certain that the
fellowship will enable me to distinctly shape higher education at Christ
University and in India.”
Anil is Registrar and Associate Professor of English. He is also the
Managing Editor of six peer reviewed journals published by the
University. He has a PhD in Translation Studies from Gandhigram Rural
Institute Deemed University, MPhil in Literature from Bharathidasan University and an MA in
English Literature from Mangalore University. At Christ University, Anil integrated theater into
the regular curriculum which had a significant impact on development of the interpersonal,
emotional and societal skills of the students. When Christ University started to gain more
autonomy, he took the opportunity to rethink the English Literature curriculum, and initiated an
innovative master’s program in English Studies with a greater social science orientation. As the
Managing Editor he transformed University Journals into peer reviewed publications. In his
capacity as the Registrar he was instrumental in integrating MOOCs into regular curriculum,
introducing mandatory internship for all masters programs in sciences and social sciences, and
digital knowledge creation in five Indian languages on Wikipedia by the students - one of the
largest Wikipedia in education experiment in the world. He is also a member of the Steering
Committee for Language Planning for Konkani—a first attempt among languages in India to
plan the growth of the language.
Bai Kai
Shaanxi Normal University, China
“The Program itself serves as a bridge between the East and West. With
the placements in Asia and the U.S., we can better compare and reflect on
higher education management and expand our horizons.”
Kai is Associate Professor and Deputy Director at the Department of
Tourism. He recently completed a postdoc at Peking University’s
Guanghua School of Management. He received his PhD in Tourism
Management from Shaanxi Normal University and a Master’s in Business
Management from University of Nantes in France. He has more than a decade of practical
experience in tourism marketing and planning. His research areas mainly focus on tourist
behavior and cultural geography (religious geography). Currently he has served as more than ten
CSSCI reviewers and is a member of the steering committee of tourism geographical society in
the Geographical Society of China. At Shaanxi Normal University, Kai teaches undergraduate
and graduate students, and is responsible for overseeing curriculum development and teaching
quality control.
Chutamas Sundrarajun
Assumption University, Thailand
“I’d like to achieve from the fellowship program: To learn and develop
management skills especially the soft skills in working with people as
well as the best practices of the universities of my placement.”
Chutamas is Lecturer and Deputy Chairperson, Department of Business
English. She received her Doctor of Education (EdD) in Applied
Linguistics (TESOL) from University of Bristol in the UK and an MA in
Applied Linguistics from Mahidol University in Thailand and a BA in
Business English from Assumption University. As Deputy Chairperson, her administrative duties
include: assigning the teaching schedule for lecturers, conducting team meetings focusing on
new teaching ideas and sharing materials with lecturers. She ensures that all lecturers teaching
the same courses follow similar goals and guidelines and makes sure that there are no
discrepancies in grading of students. Through her fellowship, she wants to learn more about how
senior leaders manage their time, organizing and working on the many demanding tasks and
protocols and how to do fundraising. She also hopes to gain inspiration on ways to develop
undergraduate research.
Chutamas tutors piano and enjoys working out at the gym to keep herself fit. She also
occasionally knits and enjoys spending time at the coffee shop to either relax or to work on
academic papers.
Erick Kurniawan
Duta Wacana Christian University, Indonesia
"United Board Fellows Program is an eye-opening and valuable. The
facilitated placements provided a great opportunity to learn from better
Institution. I hope to learn how institutions facilitate and prepare their
student to be an IT Entrepreneur and begin their own start-up."
Erick is currently Lecturer and Head of the Information System
Laboratory. He holds an MS in Computer Science from Gajah Mada
University in Indonesia and a Bachelor in Informatics Engineering from
Duta Wacana. Besides teaching, Erick has authored computer-related technical books, and
several have been published. Erick has several professional certification especially on Microsoft
Development Platform such as MCPD (Microsoft Certified Professional Developer) and MCT
(Microsoft Certified Trainer). He has been awarded the Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable
Professional) for six years, since 2009. He is active in the Microsoft community and User Group
Leader for MUGI (Microsoft User Group Indonesia). During his fellowship, Erick hopes to see
how institutions facilitate and prepare their students to be a “Technoprenuers” and begin their
own start-ups, how to manage research labs and adapt new technology to the curriculum.
Gao Lingyun
Fudan University, China
“The United Board Fellow Program will raise me up to a higher level so
that I can dedicate to improving the world’s legal education through
making my contribution. It helps me fulfill my goal.”
Linda is Associate Professor of Law at Fudan University School of Law,
Shanghai, China, and has been admitted to practice law in New York and
Oregon in the United States. She had her JD from Willamette University
College of Law and an LLM in Comparative Law from the National University of Singapore.
She also holds a Bachelor of Law degree from East China University of Political Sciences and
Law in China. Having received legal training from law schools in three different countries, Linda
has been exposed to different legal systems and different legal education systems. Therefore she
has a very strong interest in doing comparative legal studies, sharing her knowledge, experiences,
and thoughts with more people. She has extensively written and published articles and books on
comparative law, and has been invited to teach or give lectures in various prestigious law schools,
including Case Western Reserve University, Tulane Law School, New York University, Harvard
Law School, Cornell Law School, UC-Irvine Law School, and East Finland University. Besides
a heavy teaching and researching schedule, Linda also manages all the international exchanges at
the Law School, and she has successfully established a new LL.M. Program in Chinese Business
Law that started in 2010.
Hepzibah Joseph
Lady Doak College, India
“The United Fellows Program would give me a rich and an invaluable
International experience. It would give me opportunities to meet people
around the globe and learn more about different cultures. I wish to take
the experience with me throughout her life.”
Hepzibah Joseph is an Associate Professor in the Department of History.
She received her MA, MPhill and B.Ed degree all from Madurai Kamaraj
University in India, and has submitted her PhD thesis. She likes history as
a subject as it provides a link between the past, present and future. She chose teaching because it
is not merely a profession but service to society. Her favorite subjects in teaching are World
History, African History, American History and Environmental studies. Her interests include
reading and listening to Christian music and her goal in life is to be a useful vessel in God’s hand
and fulfill His will.
Heribertus Andre Purwanugraha
Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Freeman Fellow
“I hope to broaden my horizon through the United Board Fellows
Program, and to develop an international cross-cultural network and
enhance my own leadership and managerial skills.”
Andre is the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Economics for Student, Alumni,
Partnership and Promotion Affairs. He earned his MBA in Public Finance
from Assumption University in Thailand and Bachelor’s in Accounting from Universitas Atma
Jaya, Yogyakarta. His interests include strategic cost management, public sector accounting and
performance measurement for not-for-profit organizations. He has presented papers at various
national and international conferences held in Indonesia, Thailand, and Korea; and he has also
published a text-book for public sector accounting, written with his two colleagues. The book is
now entering its 3rd edition.
Andre has a passion for choir since he was a child. When he was doing his MBA, he joined the
Bangkok Combined Choir in which people from diverse nations united their voices in gospel
songs. He has been mentoring the Atma Jaya Student Choir and his hard work proved to be
fruitful when it was awarded gold medals in the International Choir Competition in Vietnam, the
Philippines, and Singapore (2012-2014). In his spare time, Andre enjoys cooking, singing, and
traveling - three activities that always keep him smiling!
Iwan Setyawan
Satya Wacana Christian University, Indonesia
“I chose this fellowship because it offers hands-on experience on how to
manage a higher education institution through placements at
internationally reputable universities in Asia and the US. I believe this
experience will help me bring positive changes to my home institution.”
Iwan is an Assistant Professor in Electronic Engineering. He received his
PhD in Electrical Engineering from Technische Universiteit Delft in the
Netherlands, and both his MS and BS in the same field from the Institut Teknologi Bandung,
Indonesia. Iwan followed his father, who used to teach at Satya Wacana as well. He has helped
to develop and update the undergraduate curriculum, and he has also been doing a lot of research
activities, while encouraging his fellow faculty members to do the same. One of his research
projects, funded by a grant from the Indonesian government, was declared one of the best
research projects by the National Strategic Research Scheme in 2012. As one of the youngest
deans in the university, Iwan is facing two main challenges: how to manage senior faculty
members and how to raise the interest of high school students in studying electronic engineering.
Learning how to overcome these challenges is his main objective for this fellowship. When he
has time, he enjoys photography, which coincides nicely with his current research interest:
digital image and video processing.
Mei Li Anne
Yunnan University, China
Anne Ofstedal Fellow
“The United Board Fellows Program would expose me to diverse cultures
and styles of leadership and I wish to learn and incorporate those into
preparing future government leaders in our MPA program.”
Mei is Associate Professor and Director of the MPA Program at Yunnan
University, School of Public Administration. She received her PhD in Public Administration
from Yunnan University, an MPA from the University of Washington in the U.S., and a B.A. in
International Politics from the University of International Relations, Beijing. Mei was awarded a
German Chancellor Fellowship by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and conducted
research in policy networks at the University of Konstanz in Germany from 2009 to 2010. In
2008, she received an International Scholarship from the International AIDS Society,
Switzerland and presented a paper at the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico. In
2013 Mei published her monograph A Study on the Western Theory of Policy Networks, the first
in China on the topic. Prior to her career in higher education, Mei gained management
experience in business from Wal-Mart China and China International Travel Service and has
been integrating that experience into her current task of running the MPA program. In her spare
time she is active in volunteer work and is an enthusiastic tennis player.
Mika Shaura (Tanasarnsanee)
Assumption University, Thailand
Freeman Fellow
“Christian universities can share common mission which is creating
whole persons who bring the Light to the world. Through collaborations
and networking, I expect we can sharpen our students' cultural
understanding and develop communication skills beyond boarders.”
Mika is Lecturer in the Department of Business Japanese. She received her BA in English
Literature from Ryukoku University in Japan, and MA in English Language Teaching from
Assumption University. Besides teaching, Mika actively promoted exchanges with Japan at her
university. She serves as the Chair of a Committee for International Affairs and is responsible for
oversees communication with Japanese universities. Mika is Japanese in origin and has been
living in Thailand with her family. During her placements, she is interested in learning about
how other institutions conduct their student exchange programs, and exploring how exchange
programs impact student learning activities and personal development. At the same time, she
would be delighted to share her knowledge in Japanese language and studies with the host
universities’ faculty and students. Mika enjoys running marathons. She carries a pair of running
shoes wherever she travels. She sees her career as a long-distance run that is to be completed by
passing through many different paths. After the fellowship, she would bring back seeds of new
programs to enhance students’ mutual cultural understanding and competence in language.
Mini Alice
Union Christian College, India
“As a regional language teacher, I consider this fellowship as a
wonderful opportunity to experience different cultures and enriching
myself with a unique learning. I look forward to introducing innovative
educational and administrative practices. I also would like to improve
status of women/women students through my teaching and preaching
assignments.”
Dr. Mini Alice is Assistant Professor in Malayalam. She had her PhD in Woman Studies, MPhil
and MA in Malayalam Language and Literature, all from Mahatma Gandhi University in India.
Her research projects are mainly in the area of woman studies, Malayalam poetry and
perspectives on spirituality. She edited a book on women’s spirituality which includes articles
from twenty spiritual leaders from different religions. This book was published with financial
assistance from the United Board. She also has edited a book on Malayalam Poetry and
published more than 50 articles in Malayalam. At her fellowship host institutions, she would like
to focus on the role of women in education, academics, the status of women in the local culture,
literature and the role of women in religion, especially in Christianity.
Ou Xu
Fujian HwaNan Women’s College, China
Freeman Fellow
“I’m particular interested in learning about alumni relations and
fundraising during the fellowship. My experiences as a United Board
fellows in two different institutions will help me bring “fresh air” back to
my home institution.”
Ou is currently Vice-President of the College and Associate Professor in
the Fashion and Art Design Department. She received her MS in Merchandising from Florida
State University, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management of Business and Administration
from Massey University in New Zealand. Ou has been working at HwaNan Women’ College for
21 years since graduating from the Department of Clothing in 1992.
Pham Thi Hong Nhung
Hue University, Vietnam
Freeman Fellow
“Colleagues from my home university who were United Board Fellows
have made remarkable changes to their department and to the university.
Their steady professional and leadership growth on returning from the
placements makes me believe that this program will be beneficial and
valuable to me as a lecturer and a manager.”
Nhung is Vice Rector and a member of the Management Board. At the time she was elected as
Vice Rector in 2009, she became the youngest vice rector at university in Vietnam. Nhung
received her BA in English Language Teaching from Hue University of Education, and she was
offered scholarships to pursue her MA and PhD in Applied Linguistics at the University of
Queensland in Australia. Despite the challenge of being a young rector, Nhung appreciates the
opportunity to learn to manage, and gain insight into how the university is run, something which
a lecturer would not otherwise be able to see. She also tries her best to balance work and life as a
mother and a wife. Nhung hopes the United Board fellowship will help her acquire practical
leadership skills helpful to the graduate studies and research management of her home university.
She also hopes to extend her professional network and build potential future collaborations
between her home and host universities and beyond.
Punnoose Mannoor
Union Christian College, India
“I choose this fellowship to get an international exposure in the area of
higher education, and I hope I will get better understanding in the areas of
value education program, student service learning programs, and different
ways of creating Christian presence on campus in a more meaningful
manner. I will share the good lessons and practices which I learn from the
world class institutions that I visit during my placements and I hope it will
enrich me and my home institution in many ways!”
Punnoose is Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Malayalam and also serves as
the Dean of Student Affairs. He has a PhD in Christian Folklore, an MPhil in Christian
Folksongs and Cultural Studies and an MA in Malayalam Language and Literature, all from
Mahatma Gandhi University in India. His research areas are cultural studies and folklore.
Punnoose started his career working at a newspaper and has been teaching at the Union Christian
College since 1994. Besides teaching and researching, Punnoose has directed two documentary
films on the tribal culture of Kerala. He has also edited a book in Malayalam entitled "Vamseeya
Patanangal", and is editor of a monthly literary magazine "Darpamam". Punnoose has attended
international conferences held in Thailand, Indonesia and he was a United Board IASACT
scholar during 2008. He is member of the Kerala Council of Churches, editorial member of an
ecumenical magazine, "Church Weekly", and he is also working as the joint convener for the
Leadership and Training Program of the YMCA Cochin Sub-Region.
Nimma Elizabeth
Lady Doak College, India
"To grow stronger for the challenges of life and work by being
appreciative of the work ethics of my counterparts in South Korea."
Nimma Elizabeth is an Associate Professor in the Post Graduate and
Research Department of Physics at Lady Doak College, Madurai, India.
She holds a PhD in Physics and her area of specialization in on Polymer
Electrolytes. Nimma has a passion for molding, guiding and channeling
the potential of youngsters to become responsible citizens with integrity
and commitment. Early in her career, she has realized that the subject of Physics was
“misunderstood” and “unpopular”. She thus developed an intense drive to emulate outstanding
professors and become a good Physics teacher who could continue to spread the good news that
Physics can also be a subject which kindles the creativity, inquisitiveness and passion for
knowledge in any interested learner. In addition to her subject, she has a strong inclination
towards issues on gender bias and she teaches a foundation course on Women’s Studies at Lady
Doak College.
Ranjini Christopher
Women’s Christian College, India
“I think it is exciting to learn from academicians in different parts of the
world who have come into their vocation to discover ways in which they
could impact lives of young people. I would like to work on the importance
of making our mission as Christian institutions come alive in reality.”
Ranjini is an Associate Professor of French and Head of the Department of Languages. Her PhD
is in Comparative Literature (Tamil and Quebec novels) and Philosophy, while her MPhil is in
Linguistics and Translation. Her MA is in French Language and Literature which she completed
at the Alliance Française. All her degrees are from the University of Madras, India. The one
great influence in her life has been her father’s dedication to teaching, character development
and family commitment which have molded her. Books are the best things that have ever
happened to her and she devours them avidly. Listening to music, baking, gardening and
dabbling in writing are a few other hobbies that color her life. As the Chaplain and the Head of
the Department of Language, she has administrative and leadership roles that are very
demanding but she has learned the importance of being multi-faceted and responsible, balancing
innovative teaching and administration without compromising, with a zeal to serve her college,
country and the world in making a positive difference!
Shiny John Vairamon
Stella Maris College, Chennai, India
“I choose this fellowship as it provides an opportunity to be exposed to
leadership concepts, practices, styles, organizational structure &
educational management. It will enable me to be a better leader,
academician and researcher.”
Shiny is Associate Professor and former Head of the Department of
Chemistry. She has a PhD in Chemistry-Biomaterials, M.Sc and MPhil
(both in Chemistry), all earned at the University of Madras, India. Shiny is committed to the
cause of the education of young women, which will empower them to become great nation
builders. She has served in other positions of special responsibility such as, Hostel Assistant
Warden, Secretary of Staff Club & Catholic Staff Association, and Assistant Superintendent of
Examinations. She is also coordinator and member of several organizing committees at the
Departmental, Collegiate, Inter-Collegiate, State and National levels. Shiny also contributed to
the Chemistry Department’s being awarded the “Star Department Status” in 2013 by the
Ministry of Science and Technology in India. Shiny also published original research articles and
Presented research papers at National and International Conferences such as: “Pro Inflammatory
Cytokines in Type II diabetes” in the poster presentation at 4th World Congress on prevention of
Diabetes & its Complication and received Best Paper Award for “Inflammation – A vicious
cycle in Delayed wound Healing in Diabetes” at VII National Conference of wound
Management at MLN Medical College, Allahabad.
Song Wenhong
Ocean University, China
“I join the Fellows Program in order to bring more “color” to myself as
well as to my university. Nothing is impossible for a willing heart.”
Wenhong is Professor of Higher Education. She also serves as the Director of the International
Office, Director of the Higher Education Research and Evaluation Center and Director of the
Center for Enhanced Teaching & Learning. She received her PhD in Higher Education from
Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China and her MA in Education from Qufu
Normal University. Her teaching for the past 20 years focused mostly on Higher Education
Management, Psychology, Creative Thinking and Communication. Her main research interest is
currently higher education evaluation, faculty development and internationalization of higher
education.
Than Than Aye
Myanmar Institute of Theology, Myanmar
"The mind-sets of faculty members and staff need to be upgraded so that
they become enamored of the institution. Then, the institution will be
better developed. In addition, for educational development, all the policies
and laws need to be reformed. However, only after the reformation of my
own institution, would the reformation of the country's education be
carried out. I am grateful to United Board for raising my awareness."
Than Than serves as Executive Assistant at the Peace Studies Center at the
Myanmar Institute of Theology (MIT). She holds a BA in Geography from Yangon University in
Myanmar, a Bachelor of Religious Education from MIT and MA in Peace from Action Asia.
Than Than also completed a Diploma in English from Yangon University. She serves as a
facilitator in Peace Studies Center workshops such as the Conflict Transformation Workshop, the
Women for Peace Workshop (Domestic Violence) and leads programs of special talks.
Theam Sokvibol
Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Freeman Fellow
“What is greater than the exposure to foreign universities’ administration
and leadership that the United Board Fellows Program provides is the
vast academic networks across Asia and the U.S., which are vital for the
advancement and internationalization of RUPP.”
Vibol is a lecturer and coordinator at the Department of International Studies (DIS). He received
his Master’s in Information Management from the University of Malaya in Malaysia, a BS in
Computer Science, and a BA in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, both from the Royal
University of Phnom Penh. Vibol has been an important figure in the management team of DIS
from its very early stage and has seen it grow. He’d like to build his leadership capacity through
the Fellows Program in order to further develop the Department as well as RUPP. On a personal
level, Vibol is a very good soccer player.
Wu Min
Sichuan University, China
Dr. Wu is Professor, Director of Postgraduate Programs and Director of
the International Office of School of Public Administration. She has a
PhD in Enterprise Management, an MA and a BA in English, all from
Sichuan University, China. Dr. Wu serves as member of the School
Research Committee and was a visiting scholar at Texas A&M and the
Polytechnic University in Hong Kong. Dr. Wu is an accomplished
researcher and has been widely recognized through her publications. She
is also reviewer for two SSCI Journals and an English editor of an important Chinese journal.
Zhang Jun
Shaanxi Normal University, China
“I am interested in Christian Universities' pedagogical idea of
personality shaping.”
Jun is Associate Professor at the School of Chinese Language and
Literature, and an adjunct research fellow at the Institute of ChristianCultural Studies. He also worked as an adjunct post-doctoral fellow in
philosophy at Fudan University from 2011 to 2014. He was a United
Board IASACT Scholar in 2013 and a Visiting Scholar at the Institute of
Sino-Christian Cultural Studies in Hong Kong in 2012. Jun received his PhD and MA in Literary
Theory, and a BA in Chinese Language and Literature, all from Shaanxi Normal University. In
2009 he won The Special Prize for Excellent Students, selected by Boosteel Education
Foundation; in 2011 his work was selected as the 100 Top Doctoral Dissertations of China; in
2014 he received an award for Young Faculty Members in China, selected by the Fok Ying
Dong Education Foundation. He has published on a wide range of subjects, including theological
aesthetics, Christian culture, ethics, Confucianism, Chinese aesthetics, literary theory. He is
currently a principal investigator for a key project supported by the National Social Science Fund
of China.
Zhang Kai
Ginling College, Nanjing Normal University, China
Ginling Fellow
"I chose this fellowship program because it is a change for me. It tests
my skills and abilities. It brings forth talent that may have been dormant,
and I gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience."
Mr. Zhang is Coordinator of Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation at the Office of the President. He is also the Secretary of the
Alumni Association of Ginling College. In this capacity, he is in charge of the College’s foreign
affairs and oversees all the foreign exchange and service-learning programs. He also works
directly with the United Board on matters related to Ginling College alumni and donations,
including endowment and designated grants. His MA and BA were both in English. An alumnus
of Ginling College, Mr. Zhang also teaches English at the College through the Fellows program,
Mr. Zhang hopes to learn tools for teaching innovation, acquire management and academic skills
and also learn to be a better decision maker.