(Press Release) — In the wake of one of the most devastating typhoons ever to strike the Northern Mariana Islands, EUCON International University and EUCON International School announced that both institutions successfully reopened for classes on Monday, April 20, 2026 — just days after Super Typhoon Sinlaku made direct landfall on Saipan with sustained winds of 150 mph, leaving a trail of widespread destruction across the island.
Reopening represents a remarkable achievement of determination, faith, and community effort in the face of catastrophic circumstances.
Campus battered, but not broken
Super Typhoon Sinlaku struck Saipan on the night of April 14, delivering what meteorologists have described as the most powerful storm on earth in 2026. The EUCON campus sustained severe damage: the university library lost half of its second-floor roof entirely, the laboratory roof was completely destroyed, nine faculty and staff dormitories suffered major structural damage, and nearly every classroom was flooded. The school’s solar power system was rendered inoperable. For three consecutive days during the storm, students remained on campus under difficult conditions, enduring flooding throughout the facility.
Despite the devastation, no student or staff member was injured. Every member of the EUCON family emerged safely — a fact that Dr. Christian Wei, president of EUCON and pastor of Christian Bible Church, describes as nothing short of a miracle.
“The damage is immense, and the rebuilding road is long,” said Dr. Wei. “But the most important thing — the most irreplaceable thing — is that every student is safe. For that, we give God all the glory.”
From cleanup to classroom in five days
The speed of EUCON’s recovery is a testament to the extraordinary dedication of its staff, faculty, and students. On Friday, April 18, and Saturday, April 19, the entire EUCON community mobilized — mops, brooms, and determined hands replacing textbooks — to clean, drain, and restore classrooms and facilities in preparation for the Monday reopening.
A critical milestone was achieved when Brothers Yan Zhi and Li Fule successfully repaired the campus generator, restoring electrical power to the school. With the island’s main power grid not expected to be restored for at least one month, the generator has become the lifeline of the entire educational operation.
“Our generator is working hard to provide our students with a proper and stable environment for learning,” Dr. Wei stated. “It is not perfect, but it is sufficient — and we are grateful.”
By Monday morning, April 20, students were back in their seats. The mission of Christian education on Saipan had not skipped a beat.
EUCON opens its doors to the wider community
In the spirit of service that has always defined its mission, EUCON is reaching beyond its own campus to extend help to students, families, and schools across Saipan affected by Sinlaku.
Dr. Wei issued the following open invitation to the Saipan community:
“We know that many schools, students, and families on this island are struggling right now. We want you to know that EUCON’s doors are open. If any school, student, or family needs assistance — whether academic, logistical, or practical — please do not hesitate to contact our office. We will do everything within our power to help. No one should have to face this alone.”
EUCON has committed to providing the following forms of community support:
• Educational assistance for students whose schools have been disrupted or damaged by the typhoon
• Facility access, where capacity allows, for students in need of a stable learning environment
• Academic guidance and counseling for students experiencing disruption to their studies
• Community outreach to families in need, particularly indigenous residents who have suffered significant losses
A community built to withstand the storm
EUCON has served the Saipan community for many years as a center of Christian education, biblical training, and community service. The institution operates both a K–12 international school and a university offering programs including the Master of Business Administration and Master of Arts in Theology, with an active online education platform serving students and pastors in multiple nations.
In the aftermath of Sinlaku, EUCON has announced plans to establish the Sinlaku Relief & Rebuilding Fund, dedicated to campus restoration, typhoon victim relief, and Gospel outreach to affected communities, and the Christian Education Scholarship Fund, to assist children of pastors in financial need in accessing quality Christian education.
Contact information
Schools, students, families, and community members seeking educational assistance or wishing to learn more about EUCON are encouraged to reach out directly:
EUCON International University & EUCON International School
Office of the President Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Facebook: @Christian Wei
“We are here. We are open. And we are ready to serve.”
