IAJU Assembly 2025 in Bogota: Writing New Chapter for Jesuit Higher Education
SDU – “Jesuit universities should be a creative and dialogist presence, rooted toward our charismatic identity” said Father General Arturo Sosa SJ, the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, for his opening remarks for the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU) Assembly 2025 in Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota, Columbia on 30th of June to 3rd of July, 2025.
His speech addressed the following summit of the head of Jesuit University around the globe, upholding their theme, ‘Our Mission in Challenging Times: Let’s Write the Next Chapter of Jesuit’s Higher Education History’. In his speech, Father General Arturo Sosa SJ emphasised the importance of Jesuit University as a beacon of hope in this daring time through Charism, Context and Way as the three fundamental pillars.
This transformative vision by Father General Arturo Sosa SJ, rallied the audience of 300 participants. They represent 170 Jesuit Universities around the world. Among the Jesuit Universities joining the event is Sanata Dharma University, represented by Father Albertus Bagus Laksana SJ, S.S., Ph.D. (Rector), and Caecilia Tutyandari, Ph.D. (Vice Rector of Collaboration and Alumni Affairs).
Father General Arturo Sosa SJ expressed this strong transformative vision before the 300 participants representing 170 Jesuit Universities around the world. Among the Jesuit Universities joining the event is Sanata Dharma University, represented by Father Albertus Bagus Laksana SJ, S.S., Ph.D. (Rector), and Caecilia Tutyandari, Ph.D. (Vice Rector of Collaboration and Alumni Affairs).
Father General Arturo Sosa SJ highlighted that the Jesuits look beyond the truth, committing toward social transformation. This should be actualised through the development of spaces for dialogues, the support for those marginalised, and the global apostolic solidarity building.
The summit at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana discussed significant points. These include key issues faced by the Jesuit community nowadays. Among the issues and challenges are Artificial Intelligence’s potential to help the mission of education, migration and refugees, the impact of secular life toward Catholic-Jesuit, and even the crisis in democracy.
Among the themes of discussion in the third plenary session was the theme of ‘The Challenges of Secularism’. Discussing the topic of “Contextual Intercultural Engagement”, Father Albertus Bagus Laksana S.J., as one of the speakers, shared how Sanata Dharma University faces secularism within the context of Indonesia as a Muslim majority nation.
“Although we have a number of non-Catholic students and lecturers, Sanata Dharma University upholds the never-wavering effort to hold open dialogue through the development of Ignatian spirituality, inclusive ecological retreat, and moral commitment concurred together” said Father Bagus.
Father Bagus also pointed out how valuable hybrid religious identity and plural sense of cultural belonging are in contrasting fundamentalism, while promoting reconciliation.
Caecilia Tutyandari, Ph.D., the Vice Rector of Collaboration and Alumni affairs, mentioned that as part of AJCU-AP (Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities Asia-Pacific) Sanata Dharma University, took part to strengthen the network of Jesuit higher education, especially in Asia-Pacific. Sanata Dharma University participation in IAJU Assembly 2025 built a clear path for stronger international collaboration with global Jesuit Universities. Additionally, it also expands the academic and pastoral network even larger.
“Sanata Dharma Universities participation in this summit is part of our long-term commitment to broaden the holistic and transformative education we uphold, and build collaborative network with other Jesuit Universities globally”
source: AHS