STS 36th Graduation in 2025

Ever since the completion of the STS' Multi-Purpose Education Centre in May 2010, the graduation ceremonies for STS students have been held annually at the auditorium, usually in October or November. Prior to that, the ceremonies were typically conducted in church buildings, with BCCM KK being the preferred venue.

My involvement with STS practically started from the moment I was nominated to serve on the STS Board of Governors more than thirty years ago. I first served as the Secretary of the Board, and later became actively involved in the implementation of various campus development projects. The first major project was the Administration Building which began in 1990 and completed in 1994. This was followed by the six-storey Lecturers Apartment Block which was completed in 1997. Soon after, construction of the New Students Hostel Block commenced and completed in 1999. The most recent major project was the Multi-Purpose Education Centre, completed in May 2010.

The recent graduation held on 1 November 2025 at the STS Auditorium carried special significance, as it also marked the farewell of Rev. Datuk Dr. Thu En Yu, the long-serving Principal of Sabah Theological Seminary. Widely regarded as the key figure behind the seminary’s establishment, he faithfully helmed its leadership for 38 years, apart from a brief period when another lecturer took over (Read here).

***************************************************

The night before on 31.10.2025, a grand graduation dinner was held at Port View Palace Hall.

The three professionals who have been closely associated with the development of STS' infrastructure. From left: Alfred Lee (C&S Engineer), Chong Su Leong (Quantity Surveyor), Henry Chu (Architect) and Principal, Dr. Thu. (Photo taken after the dinner).

***************************************************

The history of Sabah Theological Seminary (STS) is closely tied to the growth of Christian ministry and theological education in Sabah. Its beginnings trace back to the early 1980s, when the Basel Christian Church of Malaysia (BCCM) founded the Pusat Latihan Alkitab Kota Kinabalu (PLAKK) to train lay leaders and evangelists serving rural and indigenous communities.

As the church expanded, the need for a formal theological institution led to collaboration between the BCCM and the Anglican Church of Sabah, culminating in the founding of STS in January 1988 with 21 students. Its first graduation in November 1990 marked a milestone in equipping men and women for ministry.

STS became the first theological seminary in Malaysia to offer courses in Bahasa Malaysia, alongside programmes in English and Mandarin, reflecting Sabah’s multicultural Christian context. Today, it provides accredited theological education from certificate to postgraduate levels through regional associations such as Association of Theological Education in Southeast Asia (ATESEA) and South East Asia Graduate School of Theology (SEAGST).

Located on Signal Hill, Kota Kinabalu, the seminary has faced recurring landslide challenges, notably a major incident in 2021, which caused significant infrastructure damage. Yet, the STS community has remained resilient, sustained by local and international support.