An Invitation to Wonder

The Logos and Cosmos Initiative at East Asia (LCI EA) aims to offer opportunities for students and staff of IFES East Asia movements to explore how our faith interacts with and informs our fields of study. Helmed by Lisman Komaladi (IFES EA Regional Secretary) and Prarthini Selveindran (IFES EA Engaging the University Coordinator and FES Singapore staff), LCI EA draws inspiration from the IFES Logos and Cosmos Initiative, and currently operates in partnership with Singapore Bible College and the Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science (ECLAS) of Durham University. The hope is to cultivate a community of learners and thinkers within the East Asia region who engage biblically with scientific knowledge, through experiential projects that integrate theological and scientific perspectives.

To launch LCI EA, we held two Open House events over Zoom on 7 and 17 January 2025. These gatherings provided an opportunity for students and staff to learn more about the Initiative’s vision, and how they can participate in the 2025 to 2026 cycle. Across both events, we welcomed 25 staff and students from eight countries, representing a range of academic disciplines!

During the Open House, we introduced the Initiative’s mission, motivation, and overall timeline. LCI EA invites participants to submit project proposals that reflect an integration of their academic studies, faith and context – whether societal, within the student movement, or on campus. These projects must be championed in groups of at least three but no more than six students and/or staff workers. Selected project groups will receive up to USD $1000 in funding to develop and implement their projects between April 2025 and May 2026. Each group would also be paired with a mentor – either a staff worker or a Christian faculty – who will offer guidance, encouragement, coaching, and insight into the projects.

LCI EA Open House

You can watch an (edited) recording of the Open House here.

The Open House signals the start of LCI EA, and we are excited for word to spread and to receive project proposals! We anticipate journeying together as a community who seeks to think critically and biblically about the intersection of faith and academia, for the sake of the gospel reaching and transforming every part of the campus.

– Prarthini Selveindran
IFES EA Engaging the University Coordinator

Note: To read more about the IFES Logos and Cosmos Initiative, visit: https://lci.ifesworld.org/en/