Why me?” My Indonesian friend asked during the closing session of the United Board Fellows Program Leadership Seminar held July 23 to 26 at Silliman University. The seminar brought together United Board fellows and some alumni from Asia to share experiences and discuss leadership issues.
This kind of question is often heard from anyone who is given certain tasks to perform, however, doubtful not about his/her own capacity to accomplish them, rather, in relation to others whom he/she considers more qualified.
Which leads to another question: Are leadership traits natural or nurtured?
Leadership traits associated with certain social positions are relative to the context where these are exercised. This implies that everyone can lead but the extent depends upon the type of group being led, and the goals it has to achieve.
There are leadership roles that are either ascribed by birth and tradition, or achieved through merits and hard work.
For instance, tradition may tell that fathers or husbands always assume leadership roles in the family, which feminists deconstruct; similarly, under a monarchy, the succession of leaders is always within the ruling family, but unpopular in a democracy.
These instances illustrate contexts where cultural norms are often misconstrued as natural, preventing anyone outside of the traditional realm of power from assuming leadership roles.
In the academic field, the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia (UBCHEA), through its Fellows Program, believes that leadership traits can be learned through proper exposure, and the provision of opportunities to lead, and therefore, adheres to the idea that leadership role is an achievement.
The United Board Fellows Program, started in 2002, is “designed to give mid-level faculty members and administrators exposure to best practices in their respective fields through two-short-term placements, building professional relationships, and enduring networks in the process.”
I recently completed the program together with 19 other fellows from the Philippines, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam.
As United Board Fellows, we were placed at host universities in Asia, the United States, or Australia. I was placed at The Chinese University of Hong Kong in Shatin, Hong Kong, and at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, USA.
In both institutions, I learned issues about diaspora, cultural heritage, quality Christian education, and research management.
The other United Board Fellows from Silliman, now alumni, include SU Education Dean Dr. Earl Jude Paul Cleope (Batch 2002-04), English & Literature Asst. Prof. Juliet Padernal (Batch 2004-06), Arts & Sciences Dean Dr. Margaret Helen Udarbe-Alvarez (Batch 2006-08), and Agriculture Dean Dr. Jose Edwin Cubelo (Batch 2008-10).
I belong to Batch 2010-12, and my participation is historic not only that 2012 marks the 10th year anniversary of the UB Fellows Program, but also because the leadership seminar was held at Silliman for the first time. This year also coincides with the 90th anniversary of UB which was founded in 1922, and Silliman became part of the celebration with a cultural presentation.
During the leadership seminar, every fellow shared unique experiences from their placements, but one theme prevailed in all the stories, that is, learning new approaches which are applicable to teaching, learning, and managing.
In addition to that is acquiring not only self-confidence, but also cultural competencies after having been placed in unfamiliar places.
Was the investment in the program worth it? I think it depends upon how each fellow made use of the resources given to them for knowledge acquisition and production in those eight months.
For me, it was worth my time and effort, although I temporarily missed my family; but thanks to Facebook and Skype, I kept myself connected to home.
From a distance, I was seeing Silliman through an outsider’s lens, and comparing it with other institutions that enabled me to appreciate what assets it has, and to realize that it also has weaknesses that can be remedied.
I had also established linkages, as well as visited and learned about new places which I could have missed if I snubbed the opportunity to travel and remained in my comfort zone.
Most importantly, I was able to write two research articles through which I shared what I learned from my exposures aside from the pictures I posted on my Facebook. These articles are titled Cultural Heritage Crossing Borders: The Sinulog Festival of Overseas Filipino Workers in Hong Kong and In Pursuit of Quality Research University: Comparing Baylor and Silliman.
Indeed, from what I observed from the UB Fellows Program, a leader, and a good one — although some may be reluctant at first — can be nurtured and can also nurture others, if one accepts the challenge, and takes advantage of the opportunity to be trained — which may not be accessible to everyone.
Regrettably, none from Silliman is going to be with Batch 2012-2014–a missed opportunity.
