Jesuits return school to Dili diocese
16 Jan 2012

Jesuits return school to Dili diocese

by | posted in: Education | 0

Jesuits serving in Timor Leste have returned a secondary school they set up and managed for 18 years to the diocese of Dili.   Colégio de São José was transferred on December 14 with a mass led by Vicar General Father Apolinario Aparicio Guterres.

During his homily, Fr Guterres thanked the Society for developing both the Church and the nation through the school and praised the Jesuits for teaching young people to be qualified and disciplined individuals. (Source: UCAN) 

Education of the head, the heart and the hands
19 Dec 2011

Education of the head, the heart and the hands

by | posted in: Education, Social Justice | 0

In a speech delivered at the recent Sophia Symposium in Tokyo, Fr Mark Raper SJ, President of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific, argued for a view of education as “formation for decision and for action: education of the head, the heart and the hands”.

Advocating a pedagogy in which reflection is central, Fr Mark sees the role of education as leading students to love the world, to assume responsibility for it, and to acquire tools in order to renew it.

As such, universities need to go beyond the core business of providing education in competence and critical thinking.

Australian Jesuit named Boston College Gasson Professor
17 Dec 2011

Australian Jesuit named Boston College Gasson Professor

by | posted in: Education | 0

Fr Christopher Willcock SJ, an award-winning Australian composer of music for churches and concert halls, has joined the Boston College community as the Thomas I Gasson SJ Professor for 2011-12. He is presently a member of the United Faculty of Theology in Melbourne where he teaches courses in liturgy.

The Gasson Chair is held by a distinguished Jesuit scholar in any discipline and is the oldest endowed professorship at Boston College. Fr Chris is the first Gasson Professor to be based in the Music Department.

A rich blend
15 Dec 2011

A rich blend

by | posted in: Education, Social Justice | 0

Ignite café, Jesuit Social Services’ new hospitality training space, officially opened on November 19 with a full house gathered for this and the formal launch of the Mount Druitt Hub community space.  The guests included Tony Burke, the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Water, Population and Communities; the Member of Parliament for Chifley, Ed Husic; and Blacktown Mayor Alan Pendleton.

Youth learn to grow crops sustainably
14 Dec 2011

Youth learn to grow crops sustainably

by | posted in: Education, Indigenous Ministry, Reconciliation with Creation, Social Justice | 0

Abaca, coffee and rubber are three very different crops that can make a difference to the indigenous communities in Mindanao – both economically and socially.

In October, 30 youth from Upper Pulangi, Bukidnon in northern Mindanao spent 10 days learning about these crops, how to produce them and how to do so with a sense of environmental stewardship.  Jesuit research institute Environmental Science for Social Change (ESSC) conducted the training, in partnership with the Malaybalay City Agriculture Office and the Fibre Industry Development Authority. 

Fr Bienvenido Nebres declared National Scientist
22 Nov 2011

Fr Bienvenido Nebres declared National Scientist

by | posted in: Education | 0

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III has conferred the rank and title of National Scientist on Fr Bienvenido Nebres SJ, for his outstanding contributions to science and mathematics education and social reform. The title of national scientist is considered the highest honour given to a scientist in the country.

President Aquino paid tribute to Fr Nebres, who was president of Ateneo de Manila University from April 1993 to May 2011, in a ceremony in Malacañang, citing his achievements as “educator, mathematician, mentor and administrator.”

JRS Asia Pacific kicks off tertiary education project for refugees
22 Nov 2011

JRS Asia Pacific kicks off tertiary education project for refugees

by | posted in: Education, Migration, Social Justice | 0

Refugees and asylum seekers now have the opportunity to get a degree in European universities in 2012 with the launch of applications to the AREAS scholarship on November 1.

The Academic Relations between Asia and Europe (AREAS) is a mobility and scholarship project financed by the European Commission through the Erasmus Mundus Action 2 – Strand 1 programme.

“AREAS want to ensure that vulnerable populations under Target 3 category are well-served,” said Project Coordinator Bianca Buttiglione.

ACU online programme for refugees provides model for university educators
22 Nov 2011

ACU online programme for refugees provides model for university educators

by | posted in: Education, Social Justice | 0

An online programme that provides refugees on the Thai-Burma border with the opportunity to study for a university degree is the subject of a chapter in a new book called Ethnicity and Race.  The programme is the brainchild of the Refugee Tertiary Education Committee (RTEC), which was formed by Fr Michael Smith SJ from the Australian Province.

Spirituality in campus life
21 Nov 2011

Spirituality in campus life

by | posted in: Education, Spirituality | 0

Spirituality is a vital part of campus life at Kolese De Britto in Jogjakarta, and the health of the spiritual life of the Kolese De Britto family is the main focus of its Campus Ministry. 

So, when Fr Robert Rimmin SJ was assigned to work in the Campus Ministry in August, he asked himself “How do we give and share our Ignatian heritage to the member of Kolese De Britto family?”

He began by learning from others, spending three months in Pymble, Sydney to learn how to give and share Ignatian spirituality with different groups of people.