COLLABORATION

From February 26 to 28, 2025, the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU) International Education Conference was held at Sophia University Yotsuya campus. The theme of the conference was “Challenges and Opportunities for Internationalization,” and the conference brought together approximately 80 faculty and staff members in charge of international education from 44 institutions around the world.

Loyola University hosted a working session at its Seville campus with rectors and senior leaders from the institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in Africa and Madagascar (AJCU-AM). These sessions built on prior meetings held throughout 2024 in the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo, Burkina Faso, Kenya, and Zimbabwe, which gradually shaped a group of institutions aroundan initial proposal of collaboration. The program provided a space to exchange ideas about the structure of the group,identify priority areas for collaboration, and explore funding opportunities for joint international projects.

In response to Fr. Arturo Sosa, S.J.'s call for collaboration among Jesuit institutions, the Jesuit School of Theology (JST) at Santa Clara University organized a forum in Nairobi, Kenya, in July 2024 to advance the Global Theology Initiative (GTI). Launched in 2019, GTI connects seven Jesuit theology centers worldwide to enhance theological education and foster solidarity.

The opening webinar of Best Practices in Jesuit Higher Education Issue 5.1 gathered two distinguished speakers working on the frontlines of supporting refugees and migrants: Gabriela Hilliger, professor at Universidad Alberto Hurtado (UAH) and Legal Director of the Jesuit Migrant Service (SJM) in Chile, and Stephen Raj, S.J., Regional Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) South Asia.

The International Association of Jesuit Engineering and Science Schools (IAJES) has unveiled its strategic roadmap for 2025-2026, outlining key initiatives to strengthen its global network of Jesuit universities.

The JHEASA West Zone in collaboration with Xavier Institute of Engineering, Mahim, organized a One-day intensive hands-on workshop for teachers, was conducted at Xavier Institute of Engineering, Mahim, on 18th January, 2025 by the XIE faculty. The workshop was modelled on the current needs of teachers on Artificial Intelligence tools for teaching and research, curriculum designing and for creative writing.

The UNIJES VUELA Program facilitates meaningful community service through projects across Europe, Africa, and Latin America, emphasizing social action and development cooperation. With over 160 participants involved in 2023 and 2024, VUELA strengthens international collaboration and addresses global social challenges through hands-on service and engagement.