By Wendy R. Cromwell

The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) has awarded $697,900 through the inaugural grant cycle of its Regional Conference Higher Education Fund (RCHEF), supporting  14 higher education projects across Africa, Europe, and the Philippines. Higher Education and Ministry established the fund to strengthen United Methodist-related colleges and universities through institutional development, facilities improvement, contextual education, and long-term sustainability.

Created through a one-time $4 million allocation approved by the Higher Education and Ministry Board of Directors in April, the RCHEF was designed to help institutions address local educational priorities and expand opportunities for students in regional conferences beyond the United States.

“The Regional Conference Higher Education Fund is helping United Methodist institutions respond to the realities and opportunities within their own communities,” said Roland Fernandes, general secretary of Higher Education and Ministry and Global Ministries. “These grants invest in innovative learning environments, technology, leadership development and educational infrastructure that will equip students and strengthen institutions for years to come.”

The projects funded in this inaugural round reflect the diversity of needs across the global connection. Grants support classroom construction, technology upgrades, digital learning initiatives, healthcare education facilities, renewable energy improvements, faculty development, and institutional planning.

Projects receiving support include:

• a Digital Learning Resource Centre in East Africa, which will expand access to technology-enhanced education and learning resources across multiple countries in the region. The initiative is designed to strengthen educational access and workforce development while fostering collaboration among United Methodist institutions.
• a new classroom block at the Mutambara School of Nursing and Midwifery in Zimbabwe, creating additional space to train future nurses and healthcare professionals. The project addresses a critical need for expanded healthcare education capacity while helping prepare leaders to serve their communities.
• a capacity-building initiative at Theologische Hochschule Reutlingen in Germany, expanding social work and diaconia education through new faculty positions, scholarships, and student support services. The project will strengthen educational access while preparing graduates for leadership in churches and social service organizations.

Additional projects include campus and laboratory improvements in Mozambique, master’s-level classroom expansion in Angola, digital learning enhancements in Sierra Leone and Liberia, sustainable energy initiatives in the Philippines, and planning work for a future United Methodist university in Burundi.

Through these investments, GBHEM is partnering with educational institutions to develop leaders, strengthen communities, and expand access to quality higher education around the world.

“We are grateful to partner with colleges and universities across the connection as they expand access to transformative, contextually grounded education,” Fernandes said.

Wendy R. Cromwell is the senior manager of digital engagement for Higher Education and Ministry, Global Ministries and UMCOR.

The Theologische Hochschule Reutlingen received an inaugral Regional Conference Higher Education Fund grant of $50,000 for academic capacity building. Photo courtesty of Theologische Hochschule Reutlingen

2026 RCHEF Grant Recipients

• Nigeria: UMC Nigeria Technical Training College, facilities improvements — $50,000
• Democratic Republic of Congo: North Katanga Higher Educational Institutions, facilities enhancements — $50,000
• Mozambique: United Methodist University of Mozambique, campus and laboratory improvements — $50,000
• Angola: East Angola Annual Conference, master’s-level classroom construction — $50,000
• Zimbabwe: Mutambara School of Nursing and Midwifery, new classroom block — $50,000
• Philippines: Harris Memorial College, chapel renovation — $47,900
• Philippines: Baguio Episcopal Area colleges, facilities and solar energy improvements — $50,000
• Philippines: Southern Philippines Methodist Colleges, campus improvements — $50,000
• East Africa: Digital Learning Resource Centre — $50,000
• Sierra Leone: United Methodist University Sierra Leone, information communications technology, and digital learning enhancements — $50,000
• Liberia: United Methodist University Graduate School, library modernization and digital resources — $50,000
• Hungary and Romania: Institutional and faculty development initiative — $50,000
• Germany: Theologische Hochschule Reutlingen, academic capacity building — $50,000
• Burundi: Feasibility study for a future United Methodist university — $50,000