The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in East Asia and Oceania (AJCU-EAO) held its 2008 General Assembly last August 26-28 at the Grand Cikarang Hotel, Jababeka Raya, Cikarang Industrial Estate in Indonesia. Members from the Philippines, Korea, Japan and, of course, the host schools from Indonesia came together for the annual meeting.

The meeting centered on the theme GC 35 and Higher Education. Fr Benedictus Triatmoko, President of ATMI, was the main presenter. Presentations on the Student Mobility Program of Xavier University and Sanata Dharma University were given by Fr Jose Ramon Villarin, President of Xavier University, and Mr. P. Kuwandono, Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Sanata Dharma respectively. Members and representatives from the different AJCU-EAO member schools shared the developments, recent activities and programs which were being undertaken by their respective schools in the context of the GC35.

A business meeting followed after the GC 35 discussions. The Board approved that the Driyarkara School of Philosophy in Jakarta, Indonesia and the Loyola College of Culion, Philippines, be admitted as Higher Educational Institute members of AJCU-EAO. The Higher Education Group, Australia, the Jesuits and Lay Partners in Campus Ministry – EAO, and the Loyola Center in Vietnam were admitted as Higher Educational Endeavour members.

A special point for discussion on the AJCU-EAO accepting the challenge of GC35 on Intellectual Apostolate was also taken. The Board agreed to form an ad hoc Committee which will be responsible in finding the strengths of their member Institutions and will report as well as recommend to the Board the designation of AJCU-EAO member institutions to be Centers of Excellence. The Centers of Excellence will focus on these research areas: Environment, Migration, Culture and Religious dialogue. The ad-hoc committee members are Fr Villarin, Fr Triatmoko and Fr Jean-Claude Hollerich of Sophia University.

The board also decided to rotate the hosting of the Student Learning Programs (SLP) of their member institutions. Next year’s host for the AJCU-EAO SLP will be Sanata Dharma University. Next year’s AJCU-EAO meeting will be in Sydney, Australia.

Visit www.ajcu-eao.org for more details.