Invited by Dr. Fr. Joseph Chacko Chennattuserry Vice-Chancellor of CHRIST (Deemed to be University*) and co-opted board member of the Xavier Board of Higher Education in India (XBHEI) – the sole association comprising all Catholic Institutions of Higher Education in India – Professor Álvaro Barbosa, Vice-Rector for Internationalisation and Academic Affairs, visited the university as a representative of the University of Saint Joseph and the Association of South and East Assia Catholic Colleges and Universities (ASEACCU) where USJ serves as General Secretary for a second term of office.
Professor Álvaro Barbosa also visited Kristu Jayanti University (Deemed to be University*), where he was warmly received by Vice-Chancellor Fr. Augustine George.
These visits fostered discussions on potential collaborations between USJ Macao and both Indian universities led by members of the Congregation of Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) – the first indigenous religious congregation in the Catholic Church of India: including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for student exchange programmes and joint research initiatives.
During his official visit, Professor Álvaro Barbosa was also invited as a guest delegate of the celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of the Darmaharan Colleage, held at CHRIST University, together with both Vice-Chancellors of the visited universities. The event featured a visit from Archbishop Carlo Maria Polvani, Secretary of the Vatican Dicastery for Culture and Education and the Pontifical Council for Culture, and brought together church leaders, educators, and representatives of Catholic institutions for a forum entitled “Listening with the Heart: A Shared Journey in Education and Culture.”
Professor Álvaro Barbosa has extended an invitation to both universities for an official visit to USJ Macao as well as to a participation in the upcoming 32nd ASEACCU Conference from August 19-21, 2026 co-hosted by Sanata Dharma University and Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University in Indonesia.
* In India, the term “Deemed to be University” (Dtu) is a title for high-standard Indian higher education institution granted as a special degree awarding status by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of India.
Source: USJ
Professor Álvaro Barbosa (Vice-Rector at USJ), Rev. Fr. Hruday Pudotha Aragoya and Archbishop Carlo Maria Polvani (Officials from the Vatican Dicastery for Culture and Education)
Dr. Fr. Joseph CC (Vice-Chancellor of CHRIST University) and Professor Álvaro Barbosa (Vice-Rector at USJ)