We are pleased to share the positive feedback from the ICHE accreditation team regarding the Foundation Academy of Amsterdam, as the site evaluation team identified twelve (12) commendable aspects of the programs and their delivery at FAA.
The team highly commends FAA for the commitment of its all-volunteer staff and
faculty to carry out its mission “to provide education that contributes to the full
development of the human personality and promotes respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms. The mission includes fostering understanding, tolerance,
and friendship among different racial and religious groups.”
As a small institution serving in a non-tuition environment, FAA relies completely upon
dedicated volunteers who serve as faculty or staff members in various areas of
administration, leadership, and operations. The team found a very high level of
satisfaction in contributing to the teaching and learning of students by all its volunteers.
The team commends FAA for its high missional focus among faculty, staff,
students, and administration.
Members of the FAA community are clearly united in their understanding and
commitment to equipping and teaching migrant students. To the extent that they also
share and embody that focus, others in the constituencies also capture it and reflect it in
their descriptions of FAA and its impact on their lives. This is noteworthy as a means to
protect FAA from diffusion and distraction as it grows.
The team commends FAA for enlisting a high academic level of lecturers both by
degree and experience in teaching at the schools.
It is commendable to the school that it can enlist such a high academic level of lecturers
both by degree and experience in teaching at the school. Many of the lecturers teach at
other academic institutions. It is notable that the lectures volunteer to serve the mission
of the university. As such, all lecturers at the school are volunteers.
In a world where education is often a luxury, FAA stands as a beacon of hope for immigrants and those who find themselves at the margins of society. Their mission transcends mere instruction; it embodies empowerment, inclusivity, and the transformative power of knowledge...
The team commends FAA for its purpose and mission of providing education for
immigrants and those least able to afford it.
In a world where education is often a luxury, FAA stands as a beacon of hope for
immigrants and those who find themselves at the margins of society. Their mission
transcends mere instruction; it embodies empowerment, inclusivity, and the
transformative power of knowledge. By offering educational opportunities to
immigrants, FAA not only bridges the gap between diverse cultures but also fosters a
sense of belonging and community. Education becomes a conduit through which
individuals can reclaim their agency, harness their potential, and contribute
meaningfully to society and the church. For those least able to afford it, FAA's
programs represent a lifeline—a chance to break free from the cycle of poverty and
build a future grounded in self-sufficiency and hope.
The ripple effects of FAA's mission are profound. As individuals grow and thrive through
education, their families and communities benefit, creating a cascade of positive change.
The team recognizes and commends FAA's unwavering commitment to this cause,
applauding the institution’s relentless pursuit of equity and opportunity for all.
The team commends FAA for programs that are significant, current, innovative,
and applicable to this population, largely informed and taught by individuals with
current expertise in these fields.
The newest School of Integrated Human Rights was created to meet the practical
transitional needs of immigrants. The description of the program states, “The IHRE
Program provides a transformative educational experience for immigrants aiming to
empower them as transnational social actors in the movement for inclusive human
envelopment. By intergrading transnationalism, intersectionality ……. The program
highlights migrants as key agents in their own and their community’s development. It
ensure migrants are aware of and effectively act to on their rights…”
The team commends FAA for its effective use of online resources and databases
for its class functions.
FAA offers its classes both on-campus (rented classroom space) and in an online
format. As such, library space is limited. Students study using free electronic sources
or an electronic library. The electronic library is provided by scribd.com. The Scribd
website states it “is a digital document library with over 195 million documents.” It is a
subscription-based resource that offers access to books, audiobooks, news, and
magazines.” Scribd’s e-book subscription service is available on Android and IOS
smartphones and tablets, as well as personal computers. Further stated in the Program
Review document, “Given the precarious situation of some of our students, it is
necessary to provide them with freely available tools online that can aid in their
development and learning such as open-access courses online, free biblical tools and
websites (Bible Hub, Bible Project App, Net Bible), and videos and audios available in
standard platforms (such as YouTube). The lecturer of the class directs the sources for
each class. Equally, each program has a “program coordinator” whose role is to help
students navigate the learning resources for the class.
The team commends the FAA for the careful attention it has given to the designing
and writing measurable outcomes for each program.
These program outcomes are written with Bloom's Taxonomy as the standard. Equally,
the schools follow the ‘Dublin Descriptors’ as the framework for class development so
they “can ensure that our learners develop the necessary skills of analysis, synthesis,
evaluation, critical thinking, and problem-solving.”
The team commends FAA for the evident impact and love resulting from the
vision, faithful perseverance, and commitment of its long-serving founder and
president.
Dr. Samuel Lee has clearly shaped the soul of FAA consistent with his own passion and
expertise in bringing educational efforts and programs to full expression in practical,
vibrant, and capable leaders. Recognizing the limitations of resources and accessibility,
Dr. Lee brings a practical eye to the task of building a sustainable model reaching
immigrants that will outlive himself.
He has convened highly capable volunteers and provided the compelling, catalytic
influence to harness their formidable skills for the good of FAA and its students. It is
clear that this work is an extension of his own life and calling. He has achieved a
significant level of growth in establishing FAA as a unique educational model serving
one of the most underserved student populations in the world.
The team commends FAA for the commitment and personal engagement of its
lecturers toward the students.
Both students and alumni expressed how faculty displayed genuine concern for student
academic progress. Faculty members made themselves available for consultation with
students via various forms of interaction. There is evidence of open communication
between students and faculty in relation to academic work as well as spiritual
formation. In fact, most of the students interviewed remarked that their path toward
completion is made clear to them.
10. The team commends FAA for the high level of relational trust and collegiality
among the management team, deans, and coordinators.
The team noted a strong sense of teamwork and collegial relationships between the
long-standing administrators and board members, as well as deans and coordinators.
This relational trust strengthens the institution's decision-making and strategic planning
capabilities as personnel work together as a team for the good of the institution.
11. The team commends FAA for its optimism and openness in communication.
Given the innovative and upstart patterns that characterize the FAA programs and
operations, it is not always easy to clearly understand the dynamics of development.
However, the persons involved in leadership exhibited complete openness and
willingness to share with a positivity that instills confidence in the future of FAA.
12. The team commends FAA for its students who report high levels of satisfaction
with the training they are receiving.
At FAA, the faculty and the Board are working closely to accomplish the vision and
mission of the institution. The students and alumni appreciate the process of their
education. They are satisfied with the qualifications and commitment of the faculty, the
quality of their classroom experience, as well as the presence of integration of the
classroom engagement and their actual ministries.