14 April 2025

Conference Report: INCHE 50th Anniversary Gathering in the Netherlands

From April 7–11, 2025, the International Network for Christian Higher Education (INCHE) celebrated its 50th anniversary with a landmark conference held in the Beukenhof, Biezenmortel, the Netherlands. The event brought together representatives from around 40 institutions and over 20 nationalities, forming a vibrant and diverse international community. Centred around the theme “Finding God’s Light in the Twilight,” the conference aimed to support Christian higher education in addressing the societal and cultural challenges of our time.

This milestone conference aimed to support Christian higher education institutions—particularly in Europe and globally—as they navigate a time when the value of community is often undermined. Discussions centred around the idea that community-building is essential for reinforcing social cohesion and sustaining a vibrant Christian presence in contemporary society.

The program featured a range of academic and professional development opportunities, alongside moments for spiritual reflection and hands-on engagement. A highlight of the conference was the series of plenary keynote sessions by esteemed scholars and thought leaders:

Prof. Gerald Pillay opened the conference with his keynote address, “Keeping Faith in Higher Education: Challenges and Prospects.” He reflected on the ongoing relevance of faith in academic contexts and the role Christian institutions can play in an increasingly secular educational landscape.

Prof. Derek Schuurman, a Christian computer scientist, followed with “The Challenges and Opportunities of Artificial Intelligence,” offering a thoughtful Christian engagement with the rapidly evolving field of AI.

Prof. Beatrice de Graaf, delivered a lecture on “The Challenges of Democracy and Global Security,” encouraging educators to reflect on the complex role of Christian values in today’s geopolitical realities.

At its heart, the INCHE 50th anniversary conference was a time of thanksgiving—to acknowledge God’s faithfulness over five decades of network-building, and to seek fresh vision for the future. Participants shared best practices, encouraged one another in their calling, and left with a renewed commitment to serve Jesus Christ through Christian higher education worldwide.

We look back with deep gratitude and look forward with hope. It was truly a blessed and inspiring week together.

Parallel Student Programme

Running alongside the main conference was the second INCHE Europe Student Programme, held from April 7–11, 2025, and involving 16 university students from the different INCHE Europe institutions. The theme of the programme was “What Made Europe Europe? A Christian Approach to European Studies.”

This student-focused initiative explored the historical and ongoing impact of Christianity on European culture and values, offering a critical Christian perspective on European integration. Students examined the Christian roots of the EU, the foundational ideals behind the European project, and the legacy of faith in shaping European identity.’’The goal was to connect and equip young Christian students with a deeper understanding of their cultural and spiritual heritage, empowering them to serve society with integrity and vision.

Dr. Peter van Olst, director of identity, formation and citizenship at DCU looks back on the conference with gratitude. ‘Amidst all the differences in language, culture, perception, practical educational situation, we were really able to encourage each other during this week’. As a member of the content preparation committee of this INCHE Conference, he was particularly touched by Dr G. Pillay's lecture. 'The way he showed us that precisely as a vibrant minority Christians can mean a lot in society and give pupils something for life and meaning, helps me not to despair as the position of Christian education in Europe becomes more marginal. It is precisely in weakness that strength can lie, because it makes one creative and moved. I also encounter that with groups from Africa, India and East Asia who are here'.