AJCU AP ANNUAL MEETING 2010
Seven Fountains Spirituality Center, 97 Hwey Kaew Road,
Chiang Mai 50300 Thailand
August 24-25, 2010

DAY 1 – 24 August 2010, Tuesday
Opening Session

The event started with a Preprandials and dinner at the Seven Fountains Dining Hall at 6:00PM. The participants then went to Building Four for the Welcome Remarks and the CEO Sharing. Seating arrangement:

Front Center:

• Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ, AJCU-AP Chair and President of the Ateneo de Naga University

Right Table:

• Mr. Wan Rai (David) Cho, International Programs Officer of Sogang University
• Prof. Jae Roe, VP for International Affairs of Sogang University
• Fr. Ron Anton, SJ Higher Education Secretary of the International Committee of Jesuit Higher Education
• Fr. Tony Moreno, SJ President of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University
• Fr. Paul Wiryono Priyotamtama, SJ Rector of Sanata Dharma University
• Fr. Jean-Claude Hollerich, SJ Trustee for Overseas Liaison and VP for International Exchange of Sophia University

Back Center:

• Fr. Andre Sugijopranoto, SJ, Director of ATMI – Solo
• Fr. Yong-Hae Kim, SJ, Dean of the Graduate School of Theology of Sogang University
• Fr. Jose Mario Francisco, President of Loyola School of Theology
• Ms. Rieko Kasai, International Programs Staff of Sophia University
• Dr. Rebecca Torres, Academic Vice-President of Ateneo de Naga University
• Fr. Xavier Alpasa, SJ, President of Loyola College of Culion

Left Table:

• Fr. Antonio Samson, SJ, President of Ateneo de Davao University
• Dr. Ma. Mercedes Rodrigo, International Programs Director of Ateneo de Manila University
• Ms. Elisabeth Enerio, Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Networking of Xavier University
• Prof. Yuji Kawano, President of Elisabeth University of Music
• Fr. Ramon Jose Villarin, SJ, President of Xavier University
• Mr. Jay Salvosa, AJCU-AP Executive Secretary and Staff of Ateneo de Naga University

Fr. Tabora started the discussion by citing what was to be achieved during the meeting, citing the talk of Fr. General Adolfo Nicolas’s address during the International Conference on Jesuit Higher Education held last April at Mexico City.

• Possible Outcome of the Chiang Mai AJCU-EAO Meeting:
• Agreement that despite our diversity we still want to work together. This is the major thrust of Mexico’s Shaping the Future.
• Reorganization of the AJCU-EAO into four action-research consortia:
• Atheism/Fundamentalism
• Gospel and Culture
• Poverty-Injustice
• Ecology
• Depth
• Assurance that our instruction (General Education or Core Curriculum courses) is “in order” –
• To counter the deleterious effects of global superficiality
• To promote “in creative new ways the depth of thought and imagination that are the distinguishing marks of the Ignatian Tradition.”
• Imagination, not fantasy, grasps reality
• Creativity
• To develop: “Floating Awareness”
• …the ability to see a community and grasp what it needs now.
• To change ourselves and our students
• Affects other systems beyond classroom instruction
• Formation
• Promotion of Spirituality
• In general
• Among faculty and administrators
• Among students
• Catholic and Ignatian Spirituality
• Prayer
• Liturgy
• Campus Ministry
• Formation programs (addressing global superficiality in media, internet usage, etc…)
• Co- and Extracurricular activities
• Service and Learning Programs
• Developing critical student leadership
• Faculty formation/development
• AJCU-EAO response?
• Universality
• Proyekto Social: the university as a social project: “a cultural force advocating and promoting truth, virtue, development, and peace in society” –caritas in veritate
• Beyond “a commonality of Ignatian inspiration:” a coherent Jesuit Network
• A single, global proyekto social: Jesuit universities networked globally, acting “as a universal body,” for increasingly greater universal impact.
• Recommend: Organization of three consortia, research and advocacy oriented, responding to frontier challenges.
• New Aggressive Atheism/Secularism
• To confront and creatively challenge this
• We have a research group under Sanata Dharma on Inter-religious Dialogue
• Possible Action Projects:
• Asian Secularization vs Fundamentalism
• Islam in Asia, Islamic Fundamentalism
• Asian Christianity
• Immersion for faculties in Islam
• World Poverty, Inequality, Injustice
• The Challenges of the World
• Is Life Worth Living?
• More effective analysis
• More effective Solutions
• We have research group under Frank Brennan, SJ: “Social Justice and Human Rights”
• We have a research group under Sogang University on Economics
• We have a research group under the Ateneo de Manila University on Migration
• We have an explicitated
• Possible Action Projects:
• Social Entrepreneurship
• Business Ethics
• Education Extension Alternative Forms
• Exploitative Mining
• Global Environment Degradation
• Suggested collaboration with Secretary for Social Justice and Ecology
•  We have research group under Sophia on Ecology
• Possible Action Projects:
• Biodiversity Preservation
• Promotion of Ecotourism
• Environment Destructive Mining
• AJCU-EAO response
• Each university addresses three (3) concerns
• Each university decides on its focus of involvement
• How to organize and manage the coordinated activity of each consortium?
• Learned Ministry
• Learned
• Ministry
• Areas of concern pointed out by Fr. Nicolas
• Those excluded from the benefits of the knowledge economy.
• Aggressive secularism and fundamentalism
• Can Jesuit universities today forge intellectual bridges between
• Gospel and Culture
• Faith and Reason
• All our research groups relevant are:
• Inter-Religious Dialogue – Sanata Dharma University
• Environment – Sophia University
• Economics – Sogang University
• Migration – Ateneo de Manila University
• Sustainable Technology – ATMI – Solo
• Social Justice/Human Rights – Fr. Frank Brennan, SJ
• AJCU-EAO Response
• How can we improve our output in shared research?
• Do we want to integrate these into action-research consortia above? If so:
• Inter-religious Dialogue [Secularism]
• Social Justice/Human Rights, Economics, Migration
• Environment, Sustainable Technology, [Exploitation of Natural Resources: Mining, Fishing]
• Business Meeting
• Change the name of the AJCU-EAO to AJCU-AP
• Approval of Service-Research Consortia
• Regional Consortium I: Atheism, Secularism, Fundamentalism, Gospel and Culture
• Inter-Religious Dialogue
• Secularism
• Depth vs. Global Superficiality
• Quality of Life
• Humanistic Formation
• Projects to help develop better programs
• Instruction and Formation
• Alternative IA: Atheism, Secularism, Funadmentalism
• Inter-religious Dialogue
• [Secularism]
• Alternative IB: Gospel and Culture
• Depth vs. Global Superficiality
• Regional Consortium II: Poverty and Injustice
• Social Justice/Human Rights
• Economics
• Migration
• Regional Consortium III: Environment
• Environment
• Sustainable Technology
• Agreements on Consortia:
• Network HEI, Institutes, Individuals, Faculty and Student Organization
• Integrate the Research and Service (Advocacy)
• Lead HEI promotes the networked activities
• Internet Communication
• Email
• Skype
• Facebook
• Agreement on at least one shared project
• Meeting of Consortia on December and April
• October: ICJHE
• Presidents must find and pool funding
• Consortia agree on agenda
• The MuSE Service Learning Proposal
• Financial Report and Approval of Budget

CEO Sharing

Fr. Moreno initiated the sharing by talking about the coming changes among Jesuit Universities in the Philippine Province. The Ateneo de Manila University has already elected its new President, Fr. Ramon Jose Villarin, SJ (current President of Xavier University). There will be at least two new individuals who will join the roster of university presidents in the Philippines to correspond to the coming vacancy in Ateneo de Davao University and Xavier University. The selection process is difficult due to the limited pool of Jesuit leaders in the Philippines.

• Dr. Ma. Mercedes Rodrigo, (representing Fr. Benvienido Nebres, SJ, President of Ateneo de Manila University), shared the current activities of their university.
• AdMU has currently established a Center for Entrepreneurship currently housed under (but not exclusive to) the John Gokongwei School of Management.
• AdMU has tried for the past few years to close the competitive gap, to try to balance both depth and breadth in services and instruction for courses such as Management Engineering, Development Studies, Sciences, etc…
• Under the leadership of Dr. Assunta Cuyegkeng, the university is trying to develop the Integrated Non-academic Formation program where students from all levels get to have a required number of hours to serve a certain sector or community. In order to support this, the university has partnered with companies and labor sectors outside the campus.
• AdMU’s programs abroad are picking up speed. Every year the university gets to send more students outside the country. The university is also hosting more international conferences such as the International Business Ethics Forums held last August.
• AdMU is trying to increase its Interdisciplinary Research Output. A good example would be the eight recently published works (such as Sustainability and Preserving Filipino Culture) under the Agenda for Hope.
• AdMU has also established the Ateneo Innovation Center which focuses on Science-based Entrepreneurship.

 

• Prof. Yuji Kawano, President of Elisabeth University of Music, shared that they just had an evaluation of the university by the government. They also made an evaluation of their own, through this the staff and faculty had a better understanding and appreciation of what their school is about.
• They have renewed their Mission-Vision statements with the motto “Educating Musicians of Culture, Competence, and Compassion.” The university is committed to the formation of men and women who will cultivate themselves and live for others.
• At present, there is a decreasing population of youth in Japan, so the university is trying to get more applicants for their school.
• The Elisabeth University of Music is also about to introduce a new study field in Music as its first urgent project.
• Half of the faculty is also over fifty five (55) years old. There is a need to employ a new set of professors for the next few years, with proper screening.
• Most of the faculty and staff are non-Catholics. They would like to hire members with a Christian background.
• Fr. MacGarrell, Chancellor of EUM, is slowly recovering from his cancer.
• Fr. Paul Wiryono Priyotamtama, SJ, Rector of the Sanata Dharma University, shared that the university will have a special program on Inter-religious dialogue this coming January.
• For 2-3 months, the Program will have scholastics and Muslim scholars as participants. This is a part of the partner program of the Theological Formation from the assistancy
• SDU will also try to improve their English Proficiency Program for students. They’ve invited faculty from abroad to stay in Indonesia for six (6) months. They also have over thirty (30) lecturers studying abroad. The challenge is how to send more lecturers since the competition between Muslim and Christian universities is also high in the country, with Muslim universities having more support from outside the country.

 

• Fr. Jose Mario Francisco, SJ President of the Loyola School of Theology, shared that since 2004, the Jesuit Conference in Asia Pacific (formerly known as the Jesuit Conference in East Asia and Oceania) asked the LST to be more Asian from content, to methodology to Ethos.
• For the past first three (3) years, the LST was able to carry on a program to fulfill the mandate given by the JCAP.
• Every semester, there is a visiting professor from a theological school in Asia. They also sent faculty members to visit and touch base with other faculty from Theological centers in Asia, developing an International Forum in doing Theology of East Asian Context.
• The JCAP had taken a much more active role in the design and implementation of the program of LST.  The conference formed together the Theological Cooperation Working Group. Part of the three (3) to five (5) year program is within that year at least 1/3 faculty from each semester will come from abroad.
• The conference is dedicated to sending more scholastics to the LST. Even now, the school has over three hundred sixty (360) students doing Theology, with about a quarter of them composed of foreigners coming.
• There are over forty (40) international religious congregations currently studying at the LST.
• Fr. Yong-Hae Kim, SJ, Dean of the Graduate School of Theology of Sogang University, shared that Sogang University is trying to change its direction on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. The President has mandated the university community in finding out what is the core component of Sogang University. They are now focusing on the Mission and Identity of Sogang University.
• Sogang University is trying to create a new field for universal study to correspond to their mission and identity. They are trying to make a new department for the 21st century such as creating an interdisciplinary department, communications, nature/computer science, etc…
• They’ve also celebrated the 50th foundation anniversary last April, at that time they also had an Ignatian Symposium.
• This autumn they will also have a symposium on the 400th anniversary of Matteo Ricci, SJ.
• Sogang University will also have a student exchange program with Sophia University this November.

 

• Fr. Andreas Sugijopranoto, SJ, Director of ATMI – Solo, shared that since Fr. Triatmoko, SJ (former Director of ATMI) left his post, the latter had been focusing on the formation program of the school.
• He also shared the good news that ATMI – Solo has been awarded by the Indonesian government for maintaining their good quality of education.
• The current challenge faced by ATMI is the requirement mandated by the government, in which faculty members should acquire a master’s degree (as in previous years, ATMI, being a vocational school, faculty members weren’t required to have MA).
• They currently have a good working relationship with industries from Japan and Germany.
• Fr. Antonio Samson, SJ, President of the Ateneo de Davao University, shared that last year Fr. Dan McNamara, SJ of the Manila Observatory has moved to their university. With it they are pushing further their environmental studies.
• For the past few years AdDU, AdZU, and Xavier University have been doing baseline research on mining, which is a response towards the big mining area by an Australian company situated in a neighboring province.
• AdDU is also interested in Migration studies due to the number of displaced persons in Mindanao, and conflicts between the Muslims and Christians.
• Another area that they’re interested in is Human Rights, in which they’re Social Science group and their College of Law could provide contribution.
•  
• Fr. Xavier Alpasa, SJ, President of the Loyola College of Culion, shared that thanks to the depth of thought and imagination of their board, the extension course of Entrepreneurial Tourism is now being offered by the school (now in its second year).
•  The LCC hopes to be known for cultural transformation and ecological conservation.
• One of their flagship projects is the opening of the Eco-Tourism and Social Enterprise Hotel Maya which serves as a laboratory for social entrepreneurism. Hotel Maya also serves as a flagship for the advocacy of ecological conservation.
• LCC was also recently featured by Living Asia and soon to be featured by Discovery Channel Magazine. They hope to feature the ecological beauty of Culion.
• One of recently launched programs of the LCC is the FIELD TRIP. “FIELD TRIP” is an acronym which stands for: Formation; Indigenous People’s Solidarity; Eco-tourism; Livelihood through social entrepreneurship; Divination through the spiritual exercise. Training, Reflection, Immersion, and Praxis.
• One of the possibilities that LCC is trying to explore is the opening of the technical school.

 

• Fr. Antonio Moreno, SJ, President of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University, shared that the university will celebrate its 100th anniversary in two years.
• In the AdZU’s celebration they will focus more on formation, which the university believes to be the heart and soul of Jesuit education in Western Mindanao. The Formation would focus on excellence, spirituality, and citizenship.
• The university is also preoccupied with their region’s lack of security. With the election of a new Philippine President, the hope for peace process in Mindanao has been revived.
• AdZU is the only Ateneo which has a Peace Institute. Last year they had given Peace Awards to two generals. The news regarding this had reached the Pentagon and Fr. Moreno was invited to give a talk there to discuss how the military could also be used as an institution of peace-building.
• The university will also open a School of Law which will include the rule of Sharia as one of the subjects.
• The university is also interested in working with the indigenous people. One of the features is leadership formation.
• AdZU also continues to work with the local church. They are very much involved in helping the Archdiocese.
• Ms. Rieko Kasai, a Staff of the International Program of Sophia University, shared the recent success of the Service Learning Program.
• This year, the SLP was hosted by Sophia University but was held in Cambodia.
• Sophia University will also send about a hundred students to Sogang for an exchange program.

 

• Fr. Ramon Jose Villarin, SJ, President of Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan), shared that most of their efforts was community-building. Formation was also a very important initiative.
• XU also bridged research with social outreach. Previously, most of the research is academic. For the past five years they’ve started with the problems of the community and tried to come up with solutions which require people from different backgrounds and colleges to come together.
• Dr. Rebecca Torres, Academic Vice-President of the Ateneo de Naga University, shared that AdNU is currently involved in analyzing the college curriculum (general courses vis-à-vis professional courses) with regards to the reforms of basic education (the proposal of the government to add two years) presented by the new Philippine President.
• AdNU is active in its advocacy regarding the support of the Alternative Mining Bill. The university is currently having a signature campaign.
• With regards to the service to the Church, the university is active in its participation with the local archdiocese. The university has recently offered the AB Religious Education.
• AdNU will also actively participate in the coming Tercentenary Celebration of Bicolanos’ devotion to Ina.

 

DAY 2 – 25 August 2010, Wednesday
Business Meeting

First Resolution:

• That the “Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in East Asia and Oceania” change its name to “Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in Asia and the Pacific.”
• Fr. Francisco raised that it should be “Asia Pacific.”
• Fr. Tabora explained that this is to simply align the association with the Jesuit Conference in Asia Pacific (JCAP).
• Fr. Francisco explained that early on there was already a desire to bring in “the Pacific” in the name because not everyone knew where “Oceania” was, but at that time the Jesuit Curia in Rome preferred “Jesuit Conference in East Asia and Oceania.” Recently, Fr. Mark Raper, SJ, President of the JCAP, requested for the title to be “Jesuit Conference in Asia Pacific” and this time it was granted.
• Fr. Tabora asked if the Pacific includes Australia.
• Fr. Francisco confirmed that Australia was included.
• Fr. Samson asked if India was included.
• Fr. Francisco said that India is part of the South AsianRegion.
• There being no more questions or objections, it was resolved that the “Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in East Asia and Oceania” change its name to “Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in Asia Pacific (AJCU-AP).”

Second Resolution:

• That “Consortia” be approved for AJCU-AP in line with the address of Fr. General “Depth, Universality, and Learned Ministry: Challenges to Jesuit Higher Education Today.” Each consortium:
• Have a specified focus.
• Be led by one HEI approved by the AJCU-AP Board.
• Consist of members of AJCU-AP and Collaborators.
• Determine its networked activity, beginning with at least one shared project of service to the community (towards greater universality) and mission-oriented research (towards more effective learned ministry).
• Fr. Tabora raised the importance of the two elements: the service to the community and the mission-oriented research. In contrast to the research flagship committees formed last year, this time there is a combined action and research.
• Determine collaborators and alliances beyond its members.
• Adopt effective means of regular modern communication.
• Fr. Tabora suggested that the association should overcome the communication problems of being in different countries. He gave an example that the Jesuit Commons meeting will be held via Skype.
• Be funded through the mission-driven initiative of its members, especially their presidents.
• Fr. Tabora proposed that for the actual work, the Presidents should be able to drive it, to look for funding the way they look for funding for research works. The consortium takes responsibility for the funding.
• Meet every four months (December and April), after the AJCU-AP Annual meeting.
• Coordinate with other such consortia worldwide toward “a single global proyekto social” an organization of “Jesuit Universities Networked Globally” for global impact.
• Report on its activities to the AJCU-AP Annual Meeting.
• Fr. Tabora stated that what the association is looking for now is a networked research in contrast to independent research by each institution.
• Fr. Tabora gave an example on the case of Environment on the problem of mining; he raised the possibility of getting comments all over Asia such as inputs from Sanata Dharma University as to their experience of an ideal mine, to get data from the Philippine experience on mining and its difficulties, to be able to talk to people from Australia, etc... That could be an area where the collaboration would be powerful.
• Fr. Anton sees it having a broad scope. Going back to the mining example, perhaps there is an assistancy with a similar group or someone from another assistancy who would want to connect with the association’s consortia. He thinks it as a good start has potential in cooperation among assistancies.
• Fr. Villarin could see a shared research for the community or a shared service to the community.
• Fr. Tabora explained further the concept of Fr. Nicolas’s Proyekto Sosyal where the university affects the community through its vibrancy in knowledge, research, resources, etc… then moving towards a regional networking of communities, then networking to a global scale. Fr. Tabora also added that Fr. Nicolas’s stressed network service first before network research.
• Explaining further on the example of mining, the consortia could come together in creating a paper on responsible mining (advocacy work), to help increase awareness, help in the legislation, provide input to businessmen, etc…
• Fr. Villarin sensed that the association could work on one community.
• Fr. Tabora explained that it could be the association’s own movement, like setting a standard in mining. Fr. Nicolas’s spoke about imagination and creativity; it would be up to the leadership of consortia members. “Let’s surprise one another on what we could come up with.”
• Fr. Moreno stated two points. First is that each consortium should have a point-person. The second one is about the meeting every four months, with technology, there are many ways of meeting using the internet (teleconference, videoconference, etc…). How the mode of interaction should be is at the hands of the consortium. What is important is that they interact.
• Fr. Tabora said that for the head HEI, the President has to take the lead, but he could appoint someone else. But the president has to be able to report to the Chair and to the association what’s going on.
• Fr. Francisco asked how the difficulties from the previous research team would not be able to bog down the movement of the consortia.
• Fr. Tabora said that there is no guarantee, but if research be coupled with action, it becomes interesting. With the formation of the consortia, he hoped to get more things done. The function with the Chair and the Executive Secretary is to follow up with the movement.
• Fr. Villarin said that they were doing well with research, but it was just difficult to connect, to go beyond and see it in a region-wide perspective. With the consortia, maybe they can see things better.
• Fr. Anton asked how the point-person could get involvement from people from other schools.
• Fr. Tabora said that from here, the first thing to do is to survey where the interests of each institution are. A meeting needs to be engineered, and we have to work from there. Once the consortia are formed, the university will pass the names and their interests to the lead HEI. Meetings should then be engineered.
• Fr. Priyotamtama said that we need to make an action plan for the coming years.
• Fr. Tabora suggests that once we’ve talked with the point-persons, we would then gather the people which have similar interests. Networking is the key. He also hoped that each consortium would inspire the other consortium to move forward.
• There being no more questions or objections, it was resolved that the “Consortia” be approved for AJCU-AP in line with the address of Fr. General “Depth, Universality, and Learned Ministry: Challenges to Jesuit Higher Education Today.”

Third Resolution:

• That the standing committee on research with their lead universities (resolution 2 of the 2009 AJCU-AP Annual Meeting) be abolished and their activities be integrated into the consortia.
• There being no questions or objections, it was resolved that the standing committee on research with their universities (resolution 2 of the 2009 AJCU-AP Annual Meeting) be abolished and their activities be integrated into the consortia be approved.

Fourth Resolution:

• That a Regional Consortium on Atheism, Secularism, and Fundamentalism, Inter-Religious Dialogue be approved.
• Fr. Tabora explained that in the General’s letter it stated “Aggressive Atheism” and “Aggressive Secularism” in the context of Europe, but not as aggressive in Asia, so the term “aggressive” was dropped.
• Sub-Resolution: That the lead HEI for this consortium be Sanata Dharma University.
• Fr. Tabora added that we distinguish Atheism, Secularism, and Fundamentalism from Gospel and Culture. From the reading of the document, because of the section on Depth and Global Superficiality, and the response of each school to Global Superficiality, he had proposed the second consortium Gospel and Culture.
• There being no more questions or objections, it was resolved that a Regional Consortium on Atheism, Secularism, Fundamentalism, and Inter-Religious Dialogue with Sanata Dharma University as the head HEI be approved.
• Members are:
• Ateneo de Zamboanga University
• Loyola School of Theology
• Sogang University
• Sophia University

Fifth Resolution:

• That a regional consortium on Gospel and Culture be approved.
• Fr. Tabora explained that this is the response to Fr. General’s statements on Depth and Globalization of Superficiality. This group could take on issues on Gospel, Culture, Faith, and Reason.
• Sub-resolution: that the head HEI for this consortium be Sogang University.
• Fr. Sugijopranoto suggested to substitute the word “Gospel” with “Church.”
• Fr. Tabora explained that the Fr. General used the term Gospel. But it would be possible to change it. In the research, it doesn’t always have to explicitate the Gospel.
• Fr. Villarin also sees Atheism and Secularism coming into this topic, how should we separate from the previous group.
• Fr. Tabora sees the first group as an avenue for Inter-religious Dialogue. This group will focus more on the increased quality of life.
• Fr. Kim sees it as a reflection on life and anti-life culture.
• Prof. Roe suggests for “Spirituality and Culture” as an alternative name to make it more general. He also asked if the consortium can accept scholars from Non-jesuit Universities.
• Fr. Tabora said that the consortium itself will determine its collective. The name change to “Spirituality” wouldn’t also be a problem.
• Fr. Francisco saw the flags were indicative rather than exclusive. When the collective meets, there would be a process of refining. Right now it’s very difficult to draw boundaries.
• Fr. Kim said that “Gospel and Culture” is a very sensitive in the context of his country. He agrees with the term “Spirituality.”
• Fr. Alpasa said that in the General Congregation discussion, the document uses “Faith.”
• Fr. Tabora asked if “Faith” would be acceptable. (Thus the consortium was renamed).
• There being no more questions or objections, it was resolved that a Regional Consortium on Faith and Culture with Sogang University as the head HEI be approved.
• Members are:
• Elisabeth University of Music
• Ateneo de Naga University
• Loyola School of Theology
• Sophia University
• Ateneo de Manila University

Sixth Resolution:

• That a regional consortium on Poverty, Migration, and Injustice be approved.
• Fr. Tabora said that the scope of this is huge and it is up for the consortium to narrow it down. This is where responses to poverty such as Social Entrepreneurship, and Business Ethics may be included
• Sub-proposal: That the lead HEI for this consortium be Ateneo de Manila University.
• There being no more questions or objections, it was resolved that a Regional Consortium on Poverty, Migration, and Injustice with Ateneo de Manila University as the head HEI be approved.
• Members are:
• Frank Brennan, Intellectual Apostolate
• Loyola College of Culion
• Xavier University
• Sanata Dharma University
• ATMI – Solo
• Sogang University

Seventh Resolution:

• That a regional consortium on Environment be approved.
• Sub-proposal: That the lead HEI for this consortium be Sophia University.
• Fr. Moreno suggested to add “Climate Change” since it’s a pressing issue at present.
• Fr. Alpasa also suggested to use Ecology.
• Fr. Moreno suggested that the group would just be the one to decide if “Ecology” or “Environment” would be used.
• There being no more questions or objections, it was resolved that a Regional Consortium on Environment and Climate Change with Sophia University be approved.
• Members are:
• Ateneo de Davao University
• Ateneo de Naga University
• Sanata Dharma University
• ATMI – Solo
• Xavier University
• Sogang University
• Ateneo de Manila University
• Loyola College of Culion

Eighth Resolution:

• That the AJCU-AP Participate in the Jesuit Commons and its Chair Represent the ACJU-AP on the Board of Trustees of the Jesuit Commons.
• Fr. Tabora digressed that he had received an email received an email from Fr. Curry, SJ and discussed about Mr. Chris Lowney who’s the person behind the Jesuit Commons Project. The Jesuit Commons is an internet based effort to bring together intellectual content from the association’s various institutions globally. So it will provide an easier process to extend our intellectual works and resources (an example would be the Thai-Burma Project explained by Mr. Duncan MacLaren from last year’s Annual Meeting).
• Fr. Tabora is being asked as the Chair of AJCU-AP to be part of the Board of the Jesuit Commons with the proviso that his successor will take on the responsibilities of being on the Board. So it is a representation of the AJCU-AP in the Jesuit Commons Board.
• There being no questions or objections, it was resolved that the AJCU-AP Participate in the Jesuit Commons and its Chair represent the AJCU-AP on the Board of Trustees of the Jesuit Commons.

 

Ninth Resolution:

• That the Multilateral Student Exchange Program (MuSE), proposed by the AJCU-AP International Program Directors, be approved.
• Dr. Rodrigo explained the MuSE Program. She shared that it was raised during the 2008 meeting of International Programs Officers. It was in 2009 that Prof. Song and Dr. Rodrigo formulated the initial proposals.
• The concept is to have a reciprocal exchange of undergraduate students among the partner universities, and this program would go beyond the bilateral agreements.
• The participation in the MuSE Program is not mandatory for the members of the AJCU-AP. It is also patterned after the Association of Christian Universities and Colleges in Asia (ACUCA) student mobility scheme
• The implementation guidelines follow the standard implementation guidelines of exchange programs. Every institution should send a reciprocal number of students, limited to one semester, tuition fees are wavered, and sending institution charges the outgoing student.
• There are a few issues that came out, one of which is the travel grant (like ACUCA) which could be expensive. Another issue is the program oversight to keep track of the student balance. Also raised is the participation fee to cover institutional costs (would the bigger schools provide scholarship?)
• Fr. Tabora asked for further explanation on points 3.6 and 3.7.
• Dr. Rodrigo explained that the student, after participating in the MuSE should present his or her transcript to his home institution to the extent that the latter could credit the course taken.
• Fr. Tabora suggested that it’s up to the sending university to recognize or not to recognize the courses.
• Dr. Rodrigo also added that the credit systems are different among universities. So there might be an evaluation on the part of the sending institution.
• Fr. Samson asked if “accept” would be a better word rather than “transfer” (on the matters of credits).
• Prof. Roe said that either would be perfectly understandable, and  the wordings in the document are the standard words in the student exchange.
• Fr. Francisco asked if there are no match to the credits between the sending and receiving institutions, then what would be the arrangement with regards to tuition.
• Dr. Rodrigo said that they would pay a full load.
• Fr. Tabora asked for clarification regarding the line “…universities shall endeavor to provide…”
• Dr. Rodrigo said that it was brought up as an issue as some people equate “provide” to “free of charge.”
• Fr. Tabora raised the point that as a sending institution, he would like to send his students to be provided for as far as where they are going to be housed. So the MuSE should have to make a commitment more definite than “endeavor.”
• Fr. Hollerich shared that it is possible to follow certain established student exchange program models, but the standards in the grading system should be discussed further.
• Ms. Enerio said that it might also be possible for the bigger institutions to provide support to smaller ones (specially in terms of economic status). Balance is important.
• Fr. Tabora suggested in creating a shell in which the exchange is possible, and let the schools work on the relationships between the big and small institutions.
• Dr. Rodrigo clarified that as of the moment the MuSE is a proposal in principle.
• Prof. Roe said that as a multilateral agreement, there has to be some adjustments among universities.
• There being no more questions or objections, the MuSE Program be approved in principle, and that the International Program Officers be directed to implementing rules and guidelines subject to evaluation by the assembly.*

*It was later requested in the meeting that he HEI’s should provide their feedback on the MuSE to Prof. Jae Roe on October in preparation for the International Program Directors’ Meeting.

Tenth Resolution:

• That the next meeting of the AJCU-AP be in Tokyo or Hiroshima.
• Fr. Tabora raised the discussion on the venue, its length, and the theme of the next meeting. The AJCU-AP Annual Meeting normally follows the ASEACCU Meeting, in which next year it will be hosted by Sophia University. One alternative would be is to ask Sophia University to host the Annual Meeting, another possibility would also be the Elisabeth University Music.
• Fr. Priyotamtama said that it could be an opportunity to touch base with schools which some of the members haven’t visited before. In his case, it would be an opportunity for him to visit EUM.
• Fr. Hollerich said that he won’t be able to be at EUM due to the preparations for the ASEACCU.
• Fr. Moreno said that it would also be possible to arrange a flight to visit Hiroshima before or after the ASEACCU meeting.
• Fr. Tabora asked for votes. Majority chose Sophia University.
• On the length of time for the next meeting, Fr. Tabora hoped to see more inputs from the consortia formed this meeting. The length was left as it was.
• On the theme, Fr. Alpasa suggested to have a workshop session for the consortia in terms of implementing guidelines in pursuing projects.
• Fr. Tabora added that through this, as the consortia would meet through the years, they would be able to recognize the organizational needs.
• Dr. Torres thought about what could be the priority from the four consortia.
• Fr. Villarin suggested that the four consortia could rotate without prioritizing.
• Fr. Priyotamtama suggested that Sophia University could provide speakers for the coming meeting should the meeting start with Atheism, Fundamentalism, and Inter-Religious Dialogue.
• Fr. Alpasa said that since ASEACCU will have the theme “Preserving Creation,” then why not start with “Environment” just to have a good flow.
• Fr. Francisco thought that the association is not yet ready to provide a concrete theme at this moment. Perhaps in six months the group could see how the consortia develop.
• There being no more questions or objections, it was resolved that the next meeting of AJCU-AP be in Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan.

Eleventh Resolution:

• That the financial report and budget be approved.
• There being no questions or objections, the financial report and budget was approved.

Being no more resolutions or issues to be discussed, the AJCU-AP meeting adjourned at 11:30AM.