STS 37th Graduation in 2026

Graduation is always a significant occasion. It marks not only the culmination of a period of academic pursuit and the completion of another academic year, but also the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of those who have successfully completed their studies. As one academic journey comes to an end, another year in the life of the institution draws to a close.

Those who attended the graduation ceremony on 7 November would also have noticed a changing of the guard at the institution. The founding Principal, Dr. Thu En Yu, has finally retired, and the leadership of the Seminary has now passed to Dr. Calvin Chong, a former lecturer who has been elevated to the position of Principal.

Earlier in the year, on 13 January 2026, a handover ceremony was held at the STS Auditorium, during which Dr. Thu officially handed over the principalship to his successor, Dr. Calvin Chong.

With the exception of a brief three-year period between 2015 and 2018, Dr. Thu has served as Principal for most of the Seminary's existence. During that intervening period, Dr. Wilfred John Samuel took over the principalship, serving from 2015 to 2018 (Read here). He subsequently relinquished the position and assumed the role of Director of the Luther Study Centre, which is also based at Sabah Theological Seminary (STS).

This transition marks an important moment in the history of STS. Having been closely associated with the Seminary's leadership for so many years, Dr. Thu's retirement represents the closing of a significant chapter in the institution's development. At the same time, Dr. Calvin Chong's appointment signals the beginning of a new chapter, bringing with it the expectations and challenges that come with leading an established theological institution into the future. 

When STS was established in 1988, its primary objective was to train pastoral workers to serve Bahasa Malaysia-speaking churches in this part of Malaysia. Recognising the growing needs of Chinese-speaking congregations, the Seminary established its Chinese Department in 1990, just two years after its founding. Its roots, however, go back even further. Before becoming a seminary, it operated as a Bible Training Centre from 1980, laying the foundation for what would eventually develop into STS.

The English Department was introduced in the early 2010s to cater to those who preferred to receive their theological training in English. Among its students were a number from BCCM Kota Kinabalu (English) (Read here). Its establishment was a further step in broadening the Seminary's reach and responding to the language needs of different segments of the Christian community.

However, the landscape of theological education has changed considerably over the years. With the rapid development of the internet and the growing availability of online theological courses and training programmes, prospective students now have more options than before. They are no longer necessarily required to attend a residential seminary or commit themselves to a conventional full-time programme to obtain theological training. These changes have inevitably presented challenges to STS, particularly in maintaining student enrolment in its English Department. 

Like other educational institutions, STS will need to adapt to changing times and respond to the evolving needs and expectations of the churches it serves.

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This year, two candidates were awarded Doctor of Theology - Francis Danil from BCCM and Yen Pei San from Presbyterian Church in Taiwan.

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