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Conversations on Jesuit Higher Education in East Asia and Oceania
Eugenio Lopez Center, Antipolo, Philippines -- 26-27 May 2006
REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS
Participants
Adolfo Nicolas, SJ (President, JCEAO)
Matthias Joon-ho Chae, SJ (Provincial, Korea Province)
Louis Gendron, SJ (Provincial, China Province)
Daniel Patrick L. Huang, SJ (Provincial, Philippine Province)
Agustinus Priyono Marwan, SJ (Provincial, Indonesia Province)
Shogo Sumita, SJ (Provincial, Japan Province)
Joel Tabora, SJ (Chair, AJCU-EAO and
President, Ateneo de Naga University)
Daniel Ross, SJ (AJCU-EAO Executive Secretary)
Ron Anton, SJ (Director, The Beijing Center)
Yoshiaki Ishizawa, PhD (President, Sophia University)
Wiilliam Kreutz, SJ (President, Ateneo de Zamboanga University)
Bienvenido Nebres, SJ (President, Ateneo de Manila University)
Paulus Wiryono Priyotamtama, SJ
(President, Sanata Dharma University)
Antonio Samson, SJ (President, Ateneo de Davao University)
Byungdoo Sohn, PhD (President, Sogang University)
Benedictus Triatmoko, SJ (Director, St. Mikhael’s Technical Academy of Manufacturing Engineering, ATMI)
Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ (President, Xavier University –
Ateneo de Cagayan)
Joseph Kim Chinh Vu, SJ (Fu Jen University)
Process Facilitation and Documentation
Roberto Yap, SJ
Karel San Juan, SJ
Javier Alpasa, SJ
Meeting Staff
Juliana Alampay
Homer Galido
Loreta Navarro
Lillian Vergara
Opening Session
The AJCU-EAO Chair’s Opening Remarks
In his Welcome Address, AJCU-EAO Chair Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ acknowledged the presence of the participants and explained the context of this special meeting. He referred to observations made at last year’s meeting of the Association’s Board in Taiwan that “there was really no structure on the Assistancy level to follow up on matters relating to higher education. The concerns of the provincials such as communication, refugees, formation seem to run parallel to the operational concerns of the schools… The question was asked: how can the universities get into the loop of provincials?” Thus it was resolved that the Chair write the provincials and ask them for a meeting with the AJCU-EAO Board.
Under the guidance of the JCEAO President, Fr. Adolfo Nicolas, SJ, this special meeting was designed to veer away from thematic discussion of apostolic areas of concern like the environment, inter-religious and cultural dialogue, migration and poverty, mass media and apostolic areas and focus instead on the role of the Jesuit, Catholic college in East Asia today, the role of the leader in fulfilling the school’s mission, and the assessment of the relations of the schools with their respective Provinces. A pre-meeting survey was conducted among the provincials and the school heads on these and related topics, the results of which were provided as reference materials.
The objectives of this meeting were:
- to promote a deeper understanding of the schools’ Jesuit educational mission given their specific contexts and concerns;
- to clarify and enhance the relationship between the Province and the schools in general, and the Provincial and the head of the educational institutions in particular;
- to reflect on the role and mission of AJCU-EAO and discuss its future in terms of possible collaborative efforts.
To maximize the time available, a conversation format would be used for each session that would take up each of the topics defined in the objectives. Three participants would be asked on speak on their experiences and insights on each topic, using common guide questions. Plenary discussion and summary of points taken would follow.
The meeting would end with a business meeting to discuss next steps, in particular, the AJCU-EAO Board meeting scheduled in Sogang, Korea, in August.
Background on AJCU-EAO
Fr. Dan Ross, SJ, Executive Secretary of AJCU-EAO, recounted how the association started informally among four people about seven years ago in the office of then JCEAO President, Fr. Ismael Zuloaga, SJ. Every year, membership grew and changed with new incumbents coming in. The main purpose of the annual meetings was to get the members to know each other, and to be informed on what is going on in each other’s schools. Through a committee of which Fr. Ross is a member, the Secretary of Education in Rome was regularly informed of the association’s situation and activities.
The Conversations
The Conversations were facilitated by Robert Yap SJ and summaries of discussion points were written and presented by Karel San Juan SJ.
First Conversation: The Mission of Jesuit, Catholic Education in East Asia
Guide question: What are the issues and challenges that you encounter as head of an educational institution that is responsive to society and Catholic and Jesuit?
Dr. Yoshiaki Ishizawa, President of Sophia University, viewed the role of a Jesuit university as promoting communication between students and faculty in diverse fields, fostering mutual trust and cooperation, and seeking solutions to problems in the area. He spoke of the University’s stress on acquiring international character, and on its profound concern for the poor and oppressed, the victims of globalization.
Benedictus Triatmoko, SJ, Director of St. Michael Academy Technical and Vocational School, posed the question: how can our education, grounded on Ignatian spirituality and cognizant of the reality of global poverty, bring direct impact to the betterment of society? He described the various involvements of the school that promote the socio-economic, science and technology development of Indonesia, and uphold human dignity.
Jose Ramon Villarin SJ, President of Xavier University, listed key issues and challenges in the following areas: faculty formation, basic education, research and development, and operations.
The summary of plenary discussion points that followed is found in Attachment 1.
Second Conversation: The Jesuits and Higher Educational Institutions
Guide questions:
- What do you consider as positive elements in the relationship between the Jesuits (as individuals and as a community) and the school, and between the school head and the Provincial?
- What are the challenges that you experience in the leadership between the Jesuits (as a community and as individuals) and the school, and between the school head and the Provincial?
Dr. Byungdoo Sohn, President of Sogang University, said that the existing ratio of Jesuits to lay faculty and staff is 2%. The Korean Jesuits and the University community communicate well through formal and informal ways, and he as President enjoys access to the Jesuit community and regular meetings with the Provincial. However, the influence and involvement of the Jesuits in University administration and research, as well as in planning and development and evangelization work, can stand improvement.
Bienvenido F. Nebres, SJ, President of Ateneo de Manila University, shared that Jesuits are seen as carriers of the University core values, and are thus challenged to lead and engage the community in a positive way through their presence in community events, in official and animating ways, and in accepting partnership with, or working effectively under, lay leaders. As university president, he makes sure that on important decisions and directions, he works closely with the Provincial, as it is important for the internal and external community to see the Jesuits taking concern and leadership for the vision/mission and directions of the University. However, there is need for structure for regular consultation between the Provincial and the President, and between the Provincial and the Board and key leaders, as well as in longer-term planning for Jesuit manpower for the University.
Louis Gendron, SJ, Provincial of China, affirmed that Jesuits, as members of the corporate body and residents on campus, are perceived as representing the Society and its value system, and the religious and intellectual dimension of the university. The challenge for Jesuits is not to be isolated from the main issues of the university even after retirement, or after leadership is passed on to lay leaders. In terms of inter-university projects within the Assistancy, good mutual knowledge and respect are important as cultural, academic, financial and legal differences may make collaboration difficult.
The summary of the plenary discussion that followed is in Attachment 2.
Third Conversation: Role and Future of AJCU-EAO
Guide Questions: What do you think is the continuing role of AJCU-EAO?
How do you see AJCU-EAO in the future?
Sanji Yamaoka, SJ, Vice President of Sophia University, focused on three points which were vital for the Sophia’s thrust towards “internationalization”: good orientation program for new professors; opportunities for students to go abroad, particularly Asian countries; and training program for young Jesuit professors. He expressed appreciation that in the two days of the meeting, he found areas for common programs with other countries, Korea in particular.
Paulus Wiryono Priyotamtama SJ, President of Sanata Dharma University, believed that the main role of AJCU-EAO would be to identify and implement long-term strategies needed to strengthen the execution of prioritized apostolic works in the Assistancy. This can be achieved by: formulating a vision-mission statement for the Assistancy; putting apostolic work in priority ranking; sharing of human resources among Jesuit centers and institutions; and building collaboration using information and communications technology.
Joel Tabora, SJ President of Ateneo de Naga University and AJCU-EAO Chair pointed out the unique role of AJCU-EAO as the Assistancy “structure” for the higher educational apostolate, and how it has fostered exchange in terms of friendship/support in leadership. However, this exchange can still be expanded to include shared discernment in mission in diversity, and the enhancement of this shared Jesuit mission in the areas of instruction/research/outreach, preparation of Jesuit and lay leaders, development of the Jesuit “brand” and networking among the Jesuit schools. He also batted for the articulation of the Jesuit mission on the level of the Provincial, the Assistancy and the General.
The summary of discussion points is in Attachment 3.
Business Meeting
Fr. Tabora chaired the business meeting among the AJCU Board members, in which decisions on the next meeting in Sogang University, Korea and its agenda were made. The outline of the deliberations are in Attachment 4.
The meeting was adjourned by the Chair. The work of the meeting staff and facilitators, as well as the active participation of those present were acknowledged.
The closing Eucharistic Celebration was led by Fr. Priyotamtama, SJ.
Prepared by:
LILLIAN S. VERGARA
Ateneo de Manila University
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