Sophia Magazine vol.5 / SUMMER 2017

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graphical focus of collaboration among Jesuit institutions, and Sophia University is also achieving much in this regard. Until recent times there was a marked focus on Europe and America, but now we are undertaking numerous collabo-rations with schools in Asia and Africa. This includes col-laboration in research, student exchanges, and short-term programs at Asian universities. For example, in India we started partnerships with eight colleges of various universi-ties to extend our short-term programs, which send groups of students to India for a two-week program of intensive classes. S: Indeed, initiatives that involve immersion, such as So-phia’s short-term programs, are very important. Immersion experiences are also increasing through U.S. universities, especially in areas of great poverty. Students stay for a num-ber of months working in a slum, for example, and also take classes in sociology, philosophy, and writing that cen-ter on reflecting on their experiences. Faculty members and university trustees are also beginning to participate in the immersion experiences, and we find that they closely exam-ine and redefine their conceptions of their responsibilities through their experiences. A: Sophia University has a number of other successful pro-grams in Asia under the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in Asia Pacific (AJCU-AP). For example, the Global Leadership Program involves one major Jesuit in-stitution from each of Japan, Korea, Indonesia, the Philip-pines, and Taiwan. Other initiatives include the AJCU-AP Service Learning Program, which has students from Jesuit institutions in Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and Indonesia come together for two to three weeks for an intensive pro-gram. Sophia University is truly making wonderful use of its collaborations and networks such as the AJCU-AP. S: The AJCU is also collaborating with the AJCU-AP on areas such as the distribution of online materials from the 28 U.S. AJCU member institutions to be used and translated by schools throughout the world. So what we are doing now is forming networks of networks. From the Order’s perspec-tive, we see ourselves as having a strategic advantage. We have about 200 institutions of higher education around the world, and improved technology and communications that allow us to increasingly discuss global issues and a global common good. We must build on the growing opportuni-ties for interchange, and we can start with the fact that we all have a common mission and vision of responsibility for making the world a better place. A: For its part, Sophia University has great contributions to make to the cause of networking of Jesuit institutions all over the world. We will continue drawing upon the expertise and strength of the Jesuit global education mission. We have achieved much, even in the predominantly non-Christian contexts of many countries in Asia, because of our message that concentrates on value-based education and leader-ship. Although the institutions will have to make some ad-justments to address the changing times, the identity and mission of Jesuit higher education will not change and will continue to unite us. Fr. Sheeran, thank you very much for your visit to Sophia University and for this discussion. I look forward to witnessing the growth of the many valuable ini-tiatives and partnerships that we discussed today. Fr. Sali Augustine, S.J. is Vice President for Student and General Affairs and a Professor in the Faculty of Global Studies at Sophia University. He obtained a Ph.D. from the University’s Graduate Program in Area Studies. His research focuses on Asia’s cultural, religious, and political issues, with recent research on religion and politics in global society. His articles have appeared in jour-nals and magazines, and he co-edited The Role of Jesuit Uni-versities in Asia.Fr. Sali Augustine, S.J.Fr. Michael J. Sheeran, S.J. has served as President of the As-sociation of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) since 2013. Previously, at Regis University in Denver, Colorado, he was Presi-dent (1993-2012), Academic Vice President (1982-1993), and hosted the rst meeting between Pope John Paul lI and Presi-dent Bill Clinton. He was also a television commentator for World Youth Day in 1993 and the 2005 election of Pope Benedict XVI. He received his doctorate from Princeton University.Fr. Michael J. Sheeran, S.J.22Special Talk