Desmond Teo: Reflection on Faculty Development Days

 

Faculty in training Desmond Teo shares his reflection on the Faculty Development Days which happened at the end of last semester.

More than 30 EAST resident and adjunct faculty members gathered for a time of development and strategic planning from Nov 12-14^th. On the first morning, newly minted Dr Josephine Goh distilled key insights from her dissertation titled “Making Room for Formation: A Hospitable Space in Mentoring Groups”. Based on fieldwork done amongst mentoring groups at EAST over the past several years, she mapped out the various dimensions that contribute to a transformative mentoring environment in an Asian seminary. Affirming strengths that the research surfaced about the mentoring culture at EAST, she led faculty members in giving thanks to God and encouraged them to press on in these areas. She also facilitated times of reflection and discussion on ways that EAST can strengthen the mentoring system at EAST, so that future cohorts of students can continue to experience deep transformation as they pursue theological education at EAST.

Dr Kelvin Chong, an assistant professor with the School of Theology (Chinese) at the Singapore Bible College, facilitated a stimulating time of considering the impact of AI on theological education during the second morning. Using EAST’s “Policy on Use of Generative AI in academic assignments” that was formulated in 2023 as the framework for discussion, Dr Chong assessed its relevance based on current developments within the field and provided an up-to-date understanding of the capabilities of Generative AI (GAI), in particular the Large Language Model (LLM). He guided EAST faculty members to consider ethical matters associated with the prevalent use of LLM in institutions of higher education and to grapple with its responsible and irresponsible uses by both students and faculty members. Acknowledging that GAI is both a new and rapidly developing field whose impact is already widely felt in higher education, Dr Chong urged educators to prioritize the task of cultivating virtues in students as one of the responses to the ethical challenges GAI brings to the task of theological education.

There were much banter and laughter as faculty members enjoyed precious times of fellowship over tea breaks and meals. It was also a time to come together as God’s people to worship him together each day. Opportunities to pray for the school, students and each another throughout the three days strengthened the community and sense of mission, and lived out God’s exhortation to bear each other burdens (Gal 6:2).

On the final morning, faculty members were treated to a highly engaging time with Prof Tan Oon Seng. He is currently the Dean of Special Projects and the Centre Director of the Singapore Centre for Character and Citizenship Education at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University. A lifelong educator, he has made extensive contributions to the educational sector locally and globally, having assumed positions such as the Director of NIE (2014-2018) and the Dean of Teacher Education at NIE (2008-2013). He was also conferred multiple awards recognizing his work in education, such as the Nanyang Distinguished Alumni Award in 2022, the Education Service Award from the Ministry of Education in 2016, and the Public Administration Medal (Silver) in 2014. Through the combination of his gregarious personality, a comprehensive understanding of educational developments globally, as well as an infectious use of acronyms and alliterations, sprinkled with frequent sermonettes that encapsulated biblical convictions, Prof Tan painted broad considerations of educational developments that will continue to impact theological education.

What better and more Singaporean way to conclude an enriching three days than look ahead and plan for the future? Distilling the thoughts provoked by and insights gleaned through the various topics and conversations, EAST leaders facilitated a process of communally discerning the Lord’s leading for the next five years. Though tired and spent by three long days, faculty members were all challenged and reinvigorated to continue the work of developing Christlike leaders for the Great Commission.