The International Association of Jesuit Engineering Schools (IAJES) was formed four years ago, in response to a call from Pope Francis and Fr General to foster communication and cooperation among Jesuit engineering schools. From 13th-15th July 2022, IAJES had a “Summit 2022” at Boston College, to explore further the identity, mission and strategy of the IAJES network.
To give an idea of the wide international nature of IAJES here are some of its members: Boston College, Loyola University Chicago, Santa Clara University, University of Scranton, Instituto Especializado de Estudios Superiores Loyola (Dominican Republic), Sogang University (Korea), University Loyola du Congo (Congo), Icam University (France), Institut Quimic de Sarrià (Spain), Université Saint-Joseph (Lebanon), Xavier Institute of Engineering (India), and College Saint Michel (Madagascar). Among the 200 Jesuit universities in the world, around 55 have a school of engineering.
“We look forward to fruitful conversations as to how we can advance the IAJES identity, vision, organizational structure, priorities and ways of working within our network. In particular, with regard to the ‘emergency’ the world is currently facing, what can we reasonably expect from IAJES members, as a common goal in terms of integral ecology?,” asked Sunanda Bhattacharya, vice provost at Boston College.
Three guest speakers—Gautam Yadama, Ali Salifu, Mike H.M. Teodorescu—dealt on wide ranging subjects related to the Universal Apostolic Preferences. Reflective sessions on “recognizing the unrecognized” were led by James Keenan SJ (Boston College Vice Provost), and the closing meeting, on commitment to the vulnerable, was conducted by Fr. Joseph Christie, SJ, current Jesuit Higher Education Secretary.
The author is Associate Professor and Administrator, Xavier Institute of Engineering, Mumbai, and Province Coordinator for Higher Education
