What is the role of Jesuit universities in Asia? What are the challenges they face in Asia where Catholics, indeed Christians, are a minority? These questions and more were discussed at the symposium organized by Sophia University as part of the university’s centennial celebration.

The symposium, which was held on December 7, was initiated by Fr Toshiaki Koso SJ, Chancellor of Sophia School Corporation. Five Jesuit universities within the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific gathered to explore the social significance and future orientations of Catholic education in Asia by analyzing the historical and social context of how Jesuit universities in Asia have faced and resolved challenges.

In the first half of the symposium, papers were presented by speakers from each institution: Fr Jose Cruz SJ, Vice President, Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines; Fr Shinzo Kawamura SJ, Professor, Department of History, Sophia University, Japan; Fr Louis Gendron SJ, Professor, Faculty of Theology, Fu Jen University, Taiwan; Fr Kuntoro Adi SJ, Vice President, Sanata Dharma University, Indonesia; and Fr Benedict Kang-Yup Jung SJ, Executive Director, Board of Trustees, Sogang University, Korea. These perspectives as well as comments by Fr Michael Calmano SVD, President of Nanzan University and President of the Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic Colleges and Universities (ASEACCU), who is a specialist on education in Asia, helped keep the symposium future oriented.

The second half of the symposium was devoted to a panel discussion in which speakers and commentators discussed how Jesuit universities can further enhance their educational mission of “Men and Women for Others, with Others” in a highly globalised society. The discussions were enriched by the profound reflection and insightful questions of the two moderators Fr Antoni Ucerler SJ, Director of Asia Research Wing, University of San Francisco, and Dr Miki Sugimura, Professor, Department of Education, Sophia University.  

“There is no doubt that the symposium motivated everyone present to understand deeper the mission we are invited to engage in, and to have the courage to change according to the needs of the time to serve the family of humankind through education,” said Fr Sali Augustine SJ, who coordinated the event with the Catholic Centre and the Kirishitan Bunko of Sophia University.

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