The official Newsletter of ASEACCU – The Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic Colleges and Universities
Aseaccu Newsletter
January 2024
The Newsletter is published two times a year (Summer and Winter) by the Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic College and Universities.
Editorial
It is a cliché to say that time seems to pass ever more quickly the older one gets. Cliché it may be but it is nonetheless true for all that. The psychologists seem relatively settled in their opinion that this is because our perception of time is inversely proportional to new experiences. That is to say that the more new things we encounter, the slower passes. Childhood summers and undergraduate semesters were full of new experiences and so seems to last forever, the repeated round of university life— teaching (often the same courses), assessment, moderation panels, senate meetings and graduations— rarely contains anything new and so time simply flies by. It is an appealing hypothesis, although it doesn’t quite stack up in every respect. The last eighteen months since the University of Saint Joseph became the Executive Secretariat of ASEACCU has gone in the blink of an eye, and yet it has been filled with some great new experiences, as this newsletter records.
Just after the last newsletter was published, we gathered for our Annual Conference and General Assembly in the beautiful setting of Baguio City, Philippines. None of us who were there will be able to forget the warmth of the welcome from the President, Fr. Gilbert Sales CICM and over three hundred of the university’s staff and students. The conference and assembly was a great success and I can only record my sheer admiration for Fr. Gilbert and the entire Saint Louis University in running such a successful conference. Mind you, if you can run a university 1,700m up in the mountains with 30,000 students moving around a small campus on a steeply sloping mountainside, I suppose an ASEACCU conference is easy for you.
This newsletter has so many interesting articles that are worth your attention. I would draw your attention particularly to the story of St. Paul University, Manila being recognized for its response to the pandemic, to the invitation to the Catholic University of Vietnam to join ASEACCU, the IELE language café event at Assumption University of Thailand and, as we get ready for this year’s conference and general assembly at the Australian Catholic University’s North Sydney Campus, to the story of their student Meantepy Hoeung, an international student from Cambodia, who was recognized and honored as International Student of the Year by the government of the Australian state of Victoria for her medical volunteer work during the pandemic.
The number and range of the stories in this newsletter are an indication of the difference our member colleges and universities make across Southeast and East Asia. They also tell a tale of the strengthening bonds between our members. 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the International Federation of Catholic Universities and the 30th anniversary of the ASEACCU. I look forward to the celebrations of our shared mission and identity, of our real communion of heart, mind and life with eager anticipation. I wish you a very happy and holy 2024.
Rev’d Prof. Stephen Morgan, Rector University of Saint Joseph
ASEACCU Executive Secretary
ASEACCU Activities & Events
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Meantepy Hoeung, a dedicated Cambodian student studying Bachelor of Applied Public Health at ACU, was honored at the Victorian International Education Awards (VIEA) on October 26, 2023, receiving the International Student of the Year award in the Higher Education category.
Arriving in Australia in 2018 as a nursing student, Meantepy’s commitment to community service in healthcare has been unwavering from roles at St. Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne, where she was pivotal in patient care during the pandemic, to volunteering at LiverWELL, a non-profit organization, where she currently serves as a Community Educator, facilitating essential conversations about viral hepatitis within culturally diverse communities. Meantepy is putting what she learns from her Bachelor of Applied Public Health at ACU into serving the most needed in the community.
Another outstanding ACU international student, Mihua Wei, pursuing a Master of Teaching, demonstrated exceptional dedication as an Inclusive Support Educator, aiding children with special needs and offering guidance to fellow international students. Mihua Wei was named a finalist in the English Language Training category of the VIEA.
Meantepy Hoeung (left) and Mihua Wei (right)
Chris Riley, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Global and Education Pathways, said Meantepy and Mihua were outstanding examples of the positive impact international students make in our communities.
"Meantepy and Mihua's remarkable achievements and dedication to community service make them inspiring role models for current and future students looking to study in Australia," Mr. Riley said. "The VIEA's recognition of both Meantepy and Mihua's contribution to their respective communities demonstrates the variety of opportunities Australia's higher education sector can offer international students."
VIEA is an initiative of the Victorian Government aimed at promoting the international education sector and recognising the invaluable contributions of international students to the Victorian community.
The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) Macao has approached the newly established Catholic University of Vietnam (Học Viện Công Giáo Việt Nam) in a short meeting during which, an invitation was extended to join the respected Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic Colleges and Universities (ASEACCU) as a means of reaffirming and strengthening their academic partnership and cultural exchange.
In a remarkable step, a USJ delegation formed by Vice-Rector Professor Álvaro Barbosa, Professor Filipa Martins (Faculty of Arts and Humanities) and Ivy Uyen (Student Recruitment Officer in Vietnam), embarked on a significant visit to the Catholic University of Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh, where they were warmly received by the Procurator General, Priest Giuse Tạ Huy Hoàng, Dean of Theology Department, Priest Antôn Nguyễn Cao Siêu and General Secretary, Priest Vinhsơn Nguyễn Cao Dũng.
Vice-Rector Barbosa embraced the occasion to present USJ and shared insights into ASEACCU’s purpose, vision and mission. Their conversations were characterized by zeal and a common goal of improving educational experiences for students, teachers, and the community. The visit concluded with a tour of the campus and its facilities, including the church, library, and classrooms.
In an exciting development, both parties unanimously agreed to move forward with discussions and to work on integrating the Catholic University of Vietnam into ASEACCU, cementing their commitment to academic excellence, cultural understanding, and global cooperation.
Ho Chi Minh City’s Catholic University of Vietnam (Học Viện Công Giáo Việt Nam) is a prominent university committed to academic achievement, cultural enrichment, and spiritual growth. The institution is dedicated to developing well-rounded individuals with a solid education and belief foundation. This collaboration has the potential to open new doors in higher education by promoting international linkages and expanding the educational environment in ASEACCU.
The academic community of Saint Mary’s University gathered on Sept. 27, 2023, at the Sacred Heart Center for this year’s Academic Session that centered on the theme “FIRE with AI: Furthering Instruction, Research and Extension.”
The theme aimed to provide a better understanding of emerging technology, especially Artificial Intelligence, and its implications on teaching and learning in today’s classrooms, as well as on research activities and community services.
The speaker was Dr. Caroline Mariñas-Acosta, a resident faculty at the University Utara Malaysia in Kedah Darul Aman and President of Knowledge Advancement and Youth Empowerment Training and Assessment Center. She is also a part-time faculty of the SMU’s School of Graduate Studies and School of Accountancy and Business.
SMU President Dr. John Octavious S. Palina led the academic community in welcoming the speaker and the participants. At the same time, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Moises T. Asuncion, set the objectives of the Academic Session.
In her lecture, Dr. Acosta discussed how AI is changing the platform for how students learn and acquire knowledge and information. She said that educators nowadays need to acknowledge the existence of AI in the teaching-learning process and devise ways to accommodate it as part of their teaching strategies.
The Academic Session was participated by all academic teaching personnel at all curricular levels as an institutional activity. Classes in Basic Education were therefore suspended to give way for the Academic Session.
The participants were also grouped for a workshop to rejuvenate teaching and to foster interdisciplinary research and impactful community services with AI. All the identified groups presented outputs illustrating innovative ways to utilize various AI models or engines, such as ChatGPT and Bing AI, in enhancing course syllabi, class activities, and research and extension proposals.
Dr. Acosta said that AI may be utilized responsibly to support the university’s tri-fold functions— instruction, research, and extension— in ensuring that SMU remains true to its quality policy.
St. Catherine Educational Institute, to which St. Catherine University belongs, was established due to the work of three missionary nuns from the Province of Our Lady of the Rosary of St. Dominic in Manila. They arrived via Taiwan, in Matsuyama, Ehime prefecture in 1924. Seeing the need for girls' education, they opened the first Catholic mission school, Bizen Women's School. These first missionary nuns established an educational institute that became St. Catherine Educational Institute in 1961. To commence the celebration of the 100th anniversary of St. Catherine Educational Institute, St. Catherine University held the “John Paul II Museum Exhibition” in its Alberto Carpentier Gallery.
The Opening Ceremony of the "John Paul II Museum Exhibition" was held on September 22, 2023. The day began with a brass band performance by students and faculty of St. Catherine High School, followed by remarks from the organizers and guests, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and other events. This exhibition was the only one of its kind to be held in the four prefectures of Shikoku Island. A special exhibition of the words of Alberto Carpentier was also held.
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Executives of the University of Saint Joseph Macao (USJ), Dr. Teresa Loong, Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Fr. Cyril Jerome Jr Law, Dean of the Faculty of Religious Studies and Philosophy and Prof. Alexandre Lobo, Head of the Department of Business Administration, attended the Leading Catholic Universities in the Twenty-first Century Programme, an action-oriented programme for senior leaders of Catholic Universities organised by the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU) from the 10th to 15th of September 2023, in Rome, Italy. It was a one-week intensive programme for senior leaders, equipping rectors or presidents, vice-rectors and executives with the approaches to facilitate the sustainability of individual institutions and to strengthen the capability of the higher education system to play an increasingly more valuable role in the contemporary world, especially in light of the Papal expectations of higher education. It was an enriching programme with discussions and exchange among the 16 executives from countries around the world.
On the second day, Rev. Prof. Stephen Morgan, Vice President for Asia in the IFCU Administrative Board and Rector of the University of Saint Joseph, delivered the lecture on “The Identity of Catholic Universities in the 21st century— Embedding Catholic Value in Institutional Practice and the Opportunities and Challenges”. Rector Morgan prompted the audience to reflect on the characteristics of a Catholic University and how we incarnate our identity and mission through our governance and what we do and how we do.
The group also had the opportunity to exchange ideas with Prof. Antonella Alibrandi, Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Culture and Education and had a warm reception by Rev. Prof. Mark A. Lewis, S.J., Rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University with colleagues of the pontifical universities in Rome.
The programme was inspiring and fruitful and a sincere gratitude to the three mentors, Emeritus Prof. John L. Davies, Prof. Chris Brink, CBE and Prof. David Lock for their expertise and guidance.
The vibrant campus of Saint Mary’s University came alive as students, faculty, and staff gathered to celebrate International Students’ Day at the Sacred Heart Center on September 13, 2023. This annual event symbolizes the University’s commitment to fostering unity and embracing diversity.
A Warm Welcome and a Vision for the Future
Dr. John Octavious S. Palina, University President, extended a warm and hearty welcome to all attendees. His words set the tone for a day that would be dedicated to celebrating the rich tapestry of cultures that make up the SMU community. Dr. Clara Gonzales, Head of the Promotions, External Relations, and Internationalization Office, elaborated on SMU’s vision for its strategic internationalization direction, emphasizing the importance of cross-cultural understanding and cooperation.
Inspirational Stories from SMU’s Foreign Students
Mr. Olivar Reimos Barroga, SHANS Promotions and Linkage Coordinator, introduced the international students of SMU. The celebration reached new heights as international students from various countries, including those from Thailand (Ooranuch Jantrapreechakul, Natthinan Phummarin, Peerapat Yuktichart), Indonesia (Muhammad Hadiatman, Idris), Belgium (Lukas Dupont, Jonas Mennes, Lucas David), Italy (Carolina Guasco), Japan (Taichi Hayashi), Germany (Adriana Ixcot Ramirez), Africa (Dickson Owusu), and Korea (Cho Eun) took center stage. Their presentations added a dynamic and colorful dimension to the event, showcasing the global spirit of SMU. They shared inspiring personal stories and performances featuring their culture and country. These narratives highlighted the challenges they had to overcome, the friendships they had formed, and the dreams they aspired to achieve within the nurturing embrace of SMU.
A Glimpse into SMU’s Global Endeavors
The "SMU Corporate Video 2023" provided a window into the University’s dedication to providing a world-class education and attracting students from diverse corners of the globe. It underscored the University’s belief that education knows no boundaries and that every student can thrive within the SMU community, regardless of background.
Fostering Connection through Games and Socialization
Ms. Rocel Batara and Ms. Rheena Niña Salinas, SEAIT/STEH Promotions and Linkage Coordinators, led engaging games and socialization activities, encouraging interaction and bonding among the students present. It was a testament to SMU’s commitment to forging connections that transcend borders.
The talents of SMU were on full display during the intermission numbers, featuring performances by the SMU Dance Troupe and SMU BIBAK. These captivating acts brought joy and entertainment, further enhancing the sense of unity and celebration. Vice President for Mission and Identity, Rev. Fr. Philip A. Yu, Jr., CICM, offered a closing prayer that united hearts and minds in reflection and gratitude.
Also present during the event were the host families of the international students and SMU administrators, namely Vice President for Administration, Dr. John Tayaban, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Moises Alexander T. Asuncion, SEAIT Dean, Engr. Carina Mallillin, Dean of Student Affairs and Services, Mr. Samuel Damayon, Senior High School Principal, Mr. Melencio Bernardino among other department heads, faculty members, and staff.
In the grand tapestry of Saint Mary’s University’s International Students’ Day, we celebrated unity, diversity, and the shared human experience. It was a day of inspiration, connection and reflection, reminding us that the power of unity and diversity is a force that can shape our world for the better. As we bid farewell to this memorable day, we look forward to the continued celebration of our global community at SMU.
Meantepy Hoeung, a dedicated Cambodian student studying Bachelor of Applied Public Health at ACU, was honored at the Victorian International Education Awards (VIEA) on October 26, 2023, receiving the International Student of the Year award in the Higher Education category.
Arriving in Australia in 2018 as a nursing student, Meantepy’s commitment to community service in healthcare has been unwavering from roles at St. Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne, where she was pivotal in patient care during the pandemic, to volunteering at LiverWELL, a non-profit organization, where she currently serves as a Community Educator, facilitating essential conversations about viral hepatitis within culturally diverse communities. Meantepy is putting what she learns from her Bachelor of Applied Public Health at ACU into serving the most needed in the community.
Another outstanding ACU international student, Mihua Wei, pursuing a Master of Teaching, demonstrated exceptional dedication as an Inclusive Support Educator, aiding children with special needs and offering guidance to fellow international students. Mihua Wei was named a finalist in the English Language Training category of the VIEA.
Meantepy Hoeung (left) and Mihua Wei (right)
Chris Riley, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Global and Education Pathways, said Meantepy and Mihua were outstanding examples of the positive impact international students make in our communities.
"Meantepy and Mihua's remarkable achievements and dedication to community service make them inspiring role models for current and future students looking to study in Australia," Mr. Riley said. "The VIEA's recognition of both Meantepy and Mihua's contribution to their respective communities demonstrates the variety of opportunities Australia's higher education sector can offer international students."
VIEA is an initiative of the Victorian Government aimed at promoting the international education sector and recognising the invaluable contributions of international students to the Victorian community.
