Association for Theological Education in South East Asia
Encyclopedia
The Association for Theological Education in South East Asia (ATESEA) is an organisation of seminaries and other tertiary institutes
of theology
. It is based in Manila
, Philippines
and currently networks 102 member institutions and schools in 16 countries. It also acts as an accreditation agency for theological education in the South East Asian
region.
ATESEA publishes the Asia Journal of Theology
, provides accreditation services, operates the South East Asia Graduate School of Theology
, and promotes faculty development, theological renewal and contextualization in the light of the "Critical Asian Principle" , while coordinating regional planning in theological education.
ATESEA has recently come up with their new 'Guidelines for Doing Theology in Asia'.
ATESEA is also a full member of the World Conference of Associations of Theological Institutions (WOCATI) by which the association is networked with other regional associations and accreditation agencies for theological education worldwide like the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
(ATS), the American Theological Library Association
(ATLA) and the Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore College
(BTESS) in India .
with 16 schools as founding members. The first full meeting was held in 1959 under the leadership of Benjamin I. Guansing of the Philippines and John R. Fleming was elected as the first Executive Director. The Secretariat and offices of ATESEA was located in Singapore from 1959 to 1974. In June 1974, ATESEA moved to Manila, Philippines when Emerito P. Nacpil was elected the Executive Director but was again relocated back to Singapore in 1981.
In 1981, the name of the association was changed to the current title and continued to expand its scope of operations to include the conducting of theological study institutes in various disciplines of the theological spectrum such as the improvement of the management and administration of schools, the search for a new spirituality in Christian formation, the encouragement of the experiments in innovative or alternative patterns of theological education, the promotion of closer relationship between seminary and church, the search for a more adequate understanding of excellence in theological education and the development of Asian perspective and insights in Christian theology. It has also facilitated faculty exchange among its member schools and institutions.
In 1998, the Secretariat and offices was again relocated to Manila and it has remained there to date .
Accreditation by ATESEA does not necessarily mean that the member institutions are granted accreditation by the education regulatory bodies of the countries where the institutions are resident in as many countries in the South East Asian region do not have a formal accreditation process for Christian theological education. In countries where such processes exist like Australia and Indonesia , ATESEA accredited institutions have also been accredited by the respective national and regional accreditation agencies.
, Bangladesh
, Cambodia
, Hong Kong
, Indonesia
, Malaysia, Myanmar
, New Zealand
, Pakistan
, Philippines
, Singapore
, South Korea
, Sri Lanka
, Taiwan
, Thailand
and Vietnam
.
A full list of ATESEA's member institutions can be found at ATESEA's website .
Tertiary education
Tertiary education, also referred to as third stage, third level, and post-secondary education, is the educational level following the completion of a school providing a secondary education, such as a high school, secondary school, university-preparatory school...
of theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
. It is based in Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
and currently networks 102 member institutions and schools in 16 countries. It also acts as an accreditation agency for theological education in the South East Asian
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
region.
ATESEA publishes the Asia Journal of Theology
Asia Journal of Theology
The Asia Journal of Theology is a peer-reviewed academic journal of theology. It is published twice a year by the Association for Theological Education in South East Asia. The journal was established in 1983 as the East Asia Journal of Theology and obtained its current title in 1987....
, provides accreditation services, operates the South East Asia Graduate School of Theology
South East Asia Graduate School of Theology
The South East Asia Graduate School of Theology is a graduate school of theology, established in 1966 and operated by the Association for Theological Education in South East Asia in cooperation with and on behalf of member schools of ATESEA...
, and promotes faculty development, theological renewal and contextualization in the light of the "Critical Asian Principle" , while coordinating regional planning in theological education.
ATESEA has recently come up with their new 'Guidelines for Doing Theology in Asia'.
ATESEA is also a full member of the World Conference of Associations of Theological Institutions (WOCATI) by which the association is networked with other regional associations and accreditation agencies for theological education worldwide like the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada is an organization of seminaries and other graduate schools of theology. ATS has its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has more than 250 member institutions...
(ATS), the American Theological Library Association
American Theological Library Association
The American Theological Library Association is a professional organization of religious and theological libraries in the United States with more nearly 1,000 members...
(ATLA) and the Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore College
Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore College
The Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore College is the arm of theological education under the Senate of Serampore College...
(BTESS) in India .
Aims and objectives
The aims of the ATESEA according to Section II of the association's constitution are as follows:- To promote creative relationships among institutions and agencies engaged in theological education and the churches in the region.
- To facilitate regional efforts in theological education in the service of the churches in South East Asia
- To set guidelines and standards of theological education and to provide accreditation services to member – institutions and to others requesting it.
- To work for the improvement and renewal of theological education in the region in such wayss it may deem appropriate.
History
ATESEA was established as the Association of Theological Schools in South East Asia in 1957 in SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
with 16 schools as founding members. The first full meeting was held in 1959 under the leadership of Benjamin I. Guansing of the Philippines and John R. Fleming was elected as the first Executive Director. The Secretariat and offices of ATESEA was located in Singapore from 1959 to 1974. In June 1974, ATESEA moved to Manila, Philippines when Emerito P. Nacpil was elected the Executive Director but was again relocated back to Singapore in 1981.
In 1981, the name of the association was changed to the current title and continued to expand its scope of operations to include the conducting of theological study institutes in various disciplines of the theological spectrum such as the improvement of the management and administration of schools, the search for a new spirituality in Christian formation, the encouragement of the experiments in innovative or alternative patterns of theological education, the promotion of closer relationship between seminary and church, the search for a more adequate understanding of excellence in theological education and the development of Asian perspective and insights in Christian theology. It has also facilitated faculty exchange among its member schools and institutions.
In 1998, the Secretariat and offices was again relocated to Manila and it has remained there to date .
Accreditation
ATESEA runs an Accreditation Commission which provides accreditation for tertiary institutes of theology and seminaries. The Commission is composed of the Executive Committee of ATESEA plus two person elected by the Association, normally chosen from the Graduated School Senate .Accreditation by ATESEA does not necessarily mean that the member institutions are granted accreditation by the education regulatory bodies of the countries where the institutions are resident in as many countries in the South East Asian region do not have a formal accreditation process for Christian theological education. In countries where such processes exist like Australia and Indonesia , ATESEA accredited institutions have also been accredited by the respective national and regional accreditation agencies.
Membership
ATESEA has a two tier membership; regular and affiliate; the former is open to institutions engaged in the provision of training for the Christian ministry in South East Asia and the latter open to institutions involved in theological education in South East Asia, such as research and study centers; lay training institutes, and Theological Education by Extension centers .Member Institutions
ATESEA currently has 102 member institutions in AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
, Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, Malaysia, Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
, Taiwan
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
and Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
.
A full list of ATESEA's member institutions can be found at ATESEA's website .
Affiliations
- Forum of Asian Theological Librarians
- World Conference of Associations of Theological Institutions
See also
- School accreditation
- Association of Theological Schools in the United States and CanadaAssociation of Theological Schools in the United States and CanadaThe Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada is an organization of seminaries and other graduate schools of theology. ATS has its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has more than 250 member institutions...