Two Students of Universitas Sanata Dharma Represent as Delegates at the 30th ASEACCU Conference Hosted by Australia Catholic University
USD – Universitas Sanata Dharma successfully attended the 30th ASEACCU Conference and sent two student delegates. The event was held at Australia Catholic University (ACU) in Sydney, Australia from August 20-23. ASEACCU (Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic Colleges and Universities) is an annual event held by several institutions that are members of IFCU (International Federation of Catholic Universities). This event itself aims to promote the missions of Catholic universities. The 30th conference took the theme “What makes a Catholic University Catholic? Expressing and Integrating Identity and Mission”
The two students selected as delegates were Agustina Galuh Susetyawati (English Letters) and Victoria Denise Agme (Accounting). This conference also saw participation from nine countries, including Australia, Cambodia, The Philippines, Macau, Taiwan, South Korea, Timor-Leste, and Indonesia. Among the Catholic universities represented there were several from Indonesia itself including, Universitas Sanata Dharma, Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta Universitas Katolik Sugijopronoto. Universitas Widya Mandira, and Univeritas Katolik Parahyangan.The presence of participants from various countries at this conference certainly creates valuable international connections for all involved.
Before attending the conference, the two delegates took part in a Zoom briefing with the organizers, where they discussed their experiences from Service Learning (KKN) held by USD. Each delegate attended the briefing with the intention of being ready to participate as a panelist in the sharing session on the last day of the conference. For both delegates, participating in the ASEACCU conference was a valuable and transformative experience. The various activities and sessions provide opportunities for gaining new insights. Despite coming from diverse backgrounds, participants from different countries were able to connect and understand one another, enriching the overall experience.
According to Denise, the theme of the conference acted as a bridge to understanding the role Catholic educational institutions play in addressing global social issues, advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and fostering cultural interactions. The invited speakers also shared insights from their experiences in Catholic education, while participants from other countries brought perspectives that differed greatly from Denise’s experience at USD. These diverse viewpoints provided her with valuable lessons and new understanding.
Ina also shared her positive impression of the program, “Through ASEACCU, I gained unforgettable experiences, from academic knowledge to international relations.” She added that the program provided opportunities to expand her network and build meaningful connections with participants from various countries. Ina also found the sessions insightful, offering a new perspective on how Catholic universities contribute to global and social development. Overall, the experience had a profound positive impact on her understanding of Catholic education.
This experience was undoubtedly very inspiring, as every activity undertaken had a significant impact on the world. The annual ASEACCU Conference served as a platform for young people in higher education, encouraging them to become agents of change who applied Catholic values in service and addressing social issues. In this way, participants were expected to play an active role in dealing with global challenges and become responsible members of the global community.
