IAJES Summit 2026 Concludes in Manila with a Renewed Commitment to Global Collaboration
The 2026 Summit of the International Association of Jesuit Engineering and Science Schools (IAJES) took place in Manila, Philippines, from July 8 to 10 under the theme “Beyond the Hill: Forging a Shared Future.” The gathering brought together leaders, educators, researchers, and representatives from Jesuit engineering and science institutions across the globe to strengthen collaboration and advance the association’s common mission.
IAJES is a global network of Jesuit engineering and science schools dedicated to promoting academic excellence, innovation, and international cooperation. Grounded in the Jesuit educational tradition and aligned with the Universal Apostolic Preferences, the association seeks to prepare professionals capable of addressing complex global challenges while advancing human dignity and contributing to a more just, equitable, and sustainable world through science, technology, and education.
Throughout the three-day summit, regional leaders presented progress reports highlighting achievements since the previous gathering held in India in 2024. Discussions focused on enhancing collaboration among member institutions, expanding opportunities for joint initiatives, and identifying strategic priorities that will strengthen the impact of the association in the years ahead.
Special attention was given to the work of IAJES Task Forces, which address a broad range of topics including health, artificial intelligence, research and mentoring, infrastructure, logistics, and the advancement of women in STEM disciplines. Participants reached a consensus on key actions needed to reinforce these groups and increase their capacity to develop projects that generate meaningful collaboration across institutions while delivering positive benefits to society.
The summit also featured the election of new members to the association’s leadership team. In addition, delegates selected Loyola Andalucía University in Seville, Spain, as the host institution for the next IAJES Summit to be held in 2028.
Through its international network, IAJES continues to provide students, faculty, and researchers with access to global partnerships, academic mobility opportunities, collaborative research projects, and meaningful engagement with leading Jesuit institutions worldwide. The outcomes of the Manila summit reaffirm the association’s commitment to leveraging science, engineering, and education as forces for positive transformation in an increasingly interconnected world.
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