In spring 2026, the Adventist Innovation Network (NESTX) was officially launched as an international organization bringing together Adventist institutions of higher education to promote innovation rooted in mission.
“NESTX seeks to unite Adventist universities through innovation, research and entrepreneurship, fostering an ecosystem where faculty, students, and leaders can work together more efficiently, achieve greater impact, and carry out our educational mission with relevance and purpose,” shares George Perez, associate professor of management and marketing at Walla Walla University.
The inaugural NESTX General Assembly was held from March 27–29, at Andrews University. The assembly brought together representatives from Seventh-day Adventist institutions of higher education in the United States, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and Brazil, among other countries. In total, representatives from 13 universities participated, reflecting the global and interdivisional character of the initiative.
Andrés Díaz, director of the research and development center at Universidad de Montemorelos, affirms, “NESTX begins its journey not merely as a partnership of institutions, but as a unified international community committed to advancing innovation, research, entrepreneurship and technology transfer in support of the Seventh-day Adventist educational mission.”
Activities began on Friday with an Innovation Forum, where key topics related to educational innovation, applied research and interinstitutional collaboration were addressed. On Saturday, a networking dinner took place, hosted by Anneris Coria‑Navia and Sócrates Quispe, associate directors of the Department of Education of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The event fostered relationship building, the exchange of experiences, and the development of new opportunities for collaboration.
“Our Adventist heritage reminds us that our pioneers were disruptive thinkers, courageous innovators, and visionary leaders. … By working together through initiatives like NestX, we can honor that legacy, amplify our collective strengths, and create solutions,” shares Licci Zemleduch, assistant professor of business administration at Southwestern Adventist University.
On Sunday, March 29, the NESTX bylaws were presented and approved, the Executive Committee was elected, and the Founding Charter was formally signed. As part of this process, Matías Soto, director of the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Andrews University, was elected president of the network, assuming leadership of NESTX.
The appointment of divisional representatives was also formalized. Alcides Flores, faculty at Universidad Peruana Unión, was appointed vice president and representative of the South American Division; Zemleduch and Perez were appointed representatives of the North American Division; Díaz was designated representative of the Inter‑American Division; and Márcio Araújo, faculty at Faculdade Adventista do Paraná, and Nicolás Quaranta, manager of Human Resources at Universidad Adventista del Plata, were named representatives of the South American Division. The additional appointments of Jhon Niño, faculty member at Corporación Universitaria Adventista Colombia, and Ana Quirós, vice president for academic affairs at Universidad Adventista de Centro América, as representatives of the Inter-American Division were also completed later.
The gathering concluded with the presentation of the elected Executive Committee, the conferral of recognitions and the official closing of the General Assembly. Through the creation of NESTX, Adventist education reaffirms its commitment to an innovative, collaborative and mission‑faithful future.
NESTX Participants