Dr. John Knapp

H.E. Mme. Chantel Fanny, Rector-President

Her Excellency. Chantal Moussokoura FANNY. A graduate in Political Science from the University of LAVAL in Canada, Mrs. Chantal FANNY, Rector-President of UICF, is Plenipotentiary Ambassador, Senator, Mayor of Kaniasso and self-taught whose Ivory Coast can be proud. She is a leading public figure in the development landscape of Côte d'Ivoire.

Dr. Catherine Bachleda, Vice Chancellor, University of Gibraltar

Professor Catherine Bachleda is responsible for providing leadership, developing, implementing and monitoring the university’s academic policies and practices. Over the past 30 years, Professor Bachleda has worked in North Africa, the Middle East, the USA, the United Kingdom and Australia in a variety of management, quality, and learning roles, in both academia and industry. 

In her many roles, she has provided leadership in strategic planning, quality assurance, staff performance management and development, programme design and implementation, resource allocation and statutory compliance. She was awarded Outstanding Paper in the 2017 Emerald Literati Network Awards for Excellence.

Dr. Darren Fa, Director of Academic Programmes and Research,

University of Gibraltar

Dr Darren Fa is currently the Director of Academic Programmes and Research at the University of Gibraltar. After obtaining his PhD in Biological Oceanography from the University of Southampton In 1998, he then moved to the Gibraltar Museum in 1999 as Education and Research Officer, where he also read for a Masters Degree in Museums Studies from the University of Leicester (2004). He has published over 70 peer-reviewed articles in various international journals and book chapters both on ecological and archaeological subjects.

Darren is a member of HMGoG’s Nature Conservancy Council, as well as a Registered European Commission Expert on Environment and Higher Education, and Elected Fellow of the Linnaean Society of London. He is married with three daughters and somehow finds time to dive and play music when he can.

Dr. Wilbert Van Saane, Campus Minister and Lecturer,

Haigazian University

Wilbert van Saane is Campus Minister and Lecturer in Religion at Haigazian University in Beirut. He is also a part-time lecturer at the Near East School of Theology. He is an ordained minister in the Protestant Church in the Netherlands and a partner of mission agency Interserve. He holds a PhD in religious studies from Utrecht University (2018) and an MA in theology from the same university. His research interests include twentieth century mission history; contextual reading of the Bible; Arab contextual theology; and mission and ecology. He has previously worked for the Netherlands Missionary Council and served as the chief editor of TussenRuimte, a journal for intercultural theology.

He has co-authored a book on intercultural Bible reading entitled See You in the Bible(2010). His PhD thesis was recently published by Peter Lang under the title From Paternalism to Partnership: Mission Partnerships in the History of the Netherlands Missionary Council (1900-1999).

Dr. Henry Kung

Since 2004, Dr. Henry Siang Kung serves as the President of Chin Christian College, now Chin Christian University, in Chin State, Myanmar. Prior to that time, he served from 1986-2004 as Lecturer, and Academic Dean for Chin Christian Institute of Theology and from 1983-84, was Pastor of the Haiphai Baptist Church in Hakha. Dr. Kung gained a B.Th. and a B.D. from Myanmar Institute of Theology and a Diploma in R.E. from the University of Birmingham, UK. His M.Th. and Th.D. are from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Hong Kong. Dr. Kung has attended the CGE Annual Meeting for several years and continue to shine a significant light for Christian education in Myanmar.

Dr. Aaron Vorbau

Aaron Vorbau grew up in Bay Area, California. His father worked as a pilot for commercial airlines and from a young age Aaron began traveling globally. Being globally minded became his outlook after taking Perspectives Course in college and again during seminary. He met Rachael in 2007 shortly after both of them completed their grad school degrees and within a year they were married and moved to China. They now have four children who consider China their “home” even though they are on the road 6+ months of the year in other countries. This is Aaron’s 10th year recruiting teachers to move to join staff for Sias University through Academics In Asia.

Robert Burns

Rob Burns started his work life as a youth Soccer player with Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club in England. He then completed a B.A. in Sports Studies at Staffordshire University. Rob became an ordained Baptist Minister in 1999. In 2000, Rob, his wife Jenny (a former British national team Sailor) and their 3 boys came to Wales as missionaries where they have worked for the last 17 years. For 10 years he was an International Mission Board missionary, focused on evangelism and developing disciples and leaders in Wales. During this time, Rob wrote a fully accredited, graduate Certificate in Christian Studies and Sports Ministry (St John’s Theological College, Nottingham) This was the first in the UK. He also partnered with ForMission College (York St John University) to develop and lead an M.A in Missional Leadership. Rob was the Wales Campus Leader and a regular tutor on this program. 

Rob developed a mission focused, 12 week leadership academy for 18-25’s (in collaboration with Message Wales) and a 1 year intern training Programme for 18-25’s. Over the last 19 years, well over 250 people have been trained deeply through these reflective practice programmes.

Mr. Seya Christian, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Mr Seya Ernest Christian. A graduate in political science from the University of Drexel (United States) and the University of Geneva (Switzerland), Mr. Seya Ernest Christian is an adjunct professor of political science specializing in applied public policy and international relations. He is also Africa Representative of KOLON PHARMACEUTICALS, holder of a South Korean manufacture of pharmaceutical products

Mr. Claude Mabbyalas, Financial Professional

Mr. Claude Alain Mabbyalas facilitated the partnership between UTCF and CGE. He works as a Financial Professional with Prudential and is an alumnus from Georgia State University.