The official Newsletter of ASEACCU – The Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic Colleges and Universities
Aseaccu Newsletter
January 2023
The Newsletter is published two times a year (Summer and Winter) by the Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic College and Universities.
Editorial
I am delighted to write this first editorial since our ASEACCU conference in Cambodia last August. The conference, with the theme “Memory and Identity” was an important experience for many of us and was personally transformative for me for three reasons.
In the first instance, this year’s annual conference was the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic that our Catholic colleges and universities could gather together in-person. The opportunity to look into each other’s eyes as we spoke, hear the sound of laughter emanating around us, and share meals collectively was deeply moving. Secondly, holding the conference in Cambodia, with its particular history over the past 50 years, put us face-to-face with the Reality of what happens in a society when the inviolable sacredness of the human person is denied or forgotten. Lastly, I remain inspired by the enduring Hope and irrepressible Joy I witnessed in the Catholic community there, especially from the Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh, Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler and the staff and students of the Saint Paul Institute, led by their gracious and energetic President, Phon Sophal.
The conference was attended by representatives of 38 member institutions from across Southeast and East Asia and Australasia. I know from the conversations that I had at the conference, and from what the organising team and the executive board shared with me, that the faculty, leadership and student participants found great joy in being a part of the conference.
At the end of the conference, my own university, the University of Saint Joseph, Macao, was deeply honoured by its election as the Executive Secretariat of ASEACCU for the next three years. We are indebted to the work of Fr. Richard Ang, OP and the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, and we promise you our very best efforts to continue their good stewardship of this position.
We also resolved to hold our next conference – at which I hope to see so many of you – at Saint Louis University, in beautiful Baguio City, Philippines. Please watch out for further details regarding dates, times, and registration which will be coming out in the next two months.
This edition of the newsletter is full of interesting news from our member universities and from both ASEACCU and IFCU. It is easy, in our individual institutions, to forget that as Catholic colleges and universities, we are part of the largest family of higher education institutions in the world. The impact that we have across our regions, where nearly 1/3 of the world’s population lives, is immense. The stories in this newsletter are a glimpse into the tremendous work being done by ASEACCU members. Together they tell the tale of the impressive impact and witness to our diverse societies that is the Good News of Jesus Christ, God made Man for our Salvation.
The Rev’d Professor Stephen Morgan, Rector
University of Saint Joseph, Macao ASEACCU Executive Secretariat
ASEACCU Activities & Events
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The Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) is a large network of ancient pilgrim routes in Spain. The Catholic University of Korea offered scholarships to go on the pilgrimage during the university's 167th Founding Anniversary Mass on May 26. One hundred four students received one million won per person (approximately 870 dollars at the time) to go on the pilgrimage. Since the pandemic, like many other countries, traveling has been significantly curtailed in South Korea, not to mention overseas. Now the strict regulations for travel have been lifted, CUK wanted to encourage students to experience other cultures around the world during the vacation and develop global competency. The scholarship recipients formed a group of three or more and submitted a proposal for the traveling itineraries, including at least 100 km of the trail with a particular theme. While on the pilgrimage, students posted articles, photos, and videos of their pilgrimage experiences in real-time on the university's website to share their vivid experiences with university members. In addition, a joint chat room was operated to share various problems and experiences that may occur during the pilgrimage.
Fr. Ji Yong-sik, a professor at the Graduate School of Cannon Law who had already made the pilgrimage, was appointed as the advisor for the program. Park Chae-eun, a senior at the Department of International Studies and the representative of the "Touring City Women" team chosen for their traveling proposal, said, "We chose a pilgrimage route along the Atlantic coast from Lisbon, Portugal, and after the pilgrimage, we are heading to Barcelona. Then, during the 23 hours of layover in Dubai, we plan to go on a desert tour at Dubai Airport."
President Fr. Luke Won Jongchul said, "We hope this pilgrimage opportunity will provide ample time for peripatetic self-reflections and ruminate on the true 'I'-ness within, as a food for thought in line with the university's apothegm." He continued, "While en route to Santiago pilgrimage, students will broaden and illuminate their horizon by encountering and interacting with young people from around the world and discover the 'I'-ness in others." Fr. Won plans to support the Santiago pilgrimage scholarship every year in the future. The funding for the pilgrimage scholarship was given through "Chung Heun Joon Joseph Scholarship Fund," at the benefactor's request.
Let me introduce my friend named Gaia. She was alluring, with a beauty that could captivate any man and a heart so pure that made her loved by everyone. She had luxurious curly gold hair that matched her ocean blue eyes. Her lips were as vibrant as the burning flames of lava. Her skin was as white as snow and as soft as a feather. She was a total dream girl, a perfect girl. Gaia’s beauty was not the only thing admirable about her; along with it was her love and care for plants and animals. She took care of them, nurtured them, and loved them very much.
Well, that is how I remember her from years ago. We never got together again after our high school graduation. But one night, little did I know that a sudden phone call would reunite us. The call revealed that she was in the hospital and was in a terrible condition. I rushed there immediately, only to see my former vibrant, gorgeous, and strong friend now gasping for air.
"What happened to you?" I asked her as I slowly sat on her bedside.
"I was wrong." She whispered as tears fell on her cheeks.
I held her hands tightly as I tried to comfort her.
"Remember John DC, my secret admirer back in our junior high school?"
I nodded as she continued her lament.
"Well, he pursued me even after we graduated. He courted me, and I said yes to him. Our love grew; then we felt that we needed each other so we got married. The first years of our marriage were simply magical. He supported me in doing the things I love; we helped people and tended to the plants and animals."
Her smile began to grow faint, as she told the story, subtle tears now forming in her eyes after reminiscing their happy memories.
"But after his conference about urbanization and industrialization, he changed. Whenever he was at home, he would physically hurt me. There were times when he would just wrap my head with a plastic bag while I was sleeping…" she said sniffling, her tears continuously falling.
My eyes started to water, and my heart got heavier by the passing second.
"There were also times when he would force me to smoke, or else, he would burn me with the cigarette. Just to please him, I exhaled blackish smoke out of my lungs, just like how factories release their black smoke…Now, I can barely breathe. Whenever I cough, I can feel my body trembling, and when I vomit, it’s as if water is gushing out of me. My body began to grow weary and weak to the point that my recurring fevers melted and burned the things I touched. This is why I can now barely take care of the plants and animals. I’m terrified that I may hurt them. I…"
She suddenly screamed in pain. I panicked and started pressing the on-call button frantically. The doctors rushed in and gave her sedatives and painkillers so she would sleep. But before her eyes closed shut, her words echoed in my head. She said, "In my condition, he too won’t last."
The University of St. La Salle celebrated the most anticipated comeback of the Lasallian Days (L-Days) last Nov. 9-11 with entertainment and engaging activities after 2 years of hiatus due to the pandemic.
The L-Days, also known as University Week, is an annual event that highlights the vibrant student life of Lasallians. The theme of this year’s L-Days is "Wanderland: Exploring the Extraordinary."
Organized by the Office for Student Affairs and the University Student Government (USG), the L-Days kicked off with an Institutional Mass and Grand Opening Salvo attended by various sectors of the Lasallian family at the St. La Salle Coliseum.
"The theme is truly fitting of the situation we are in, we dare to explore uncharted spaces, learn to adapt to shifting times, survive and rise above the challenges," Dean of Students Affairs Rowela Chiu, DPA said during the opening ceremonies.
Student organizations and clubs showcased their programs and other initiatives through exhibition booths and activities on campus.
Meanwhile, the USG prepared events during the 3-day festivities that saw the participation of students, members of the Lasallian community and even external guests and partners.
These included concerts, sports activities, singing and dancing competitions, a pet show, medical mission, business expo and mobile games, among others.
Below is what the students had to share about their camp experience:
"Participating for the first time in this camp was something wonderful in many ways, we could show through video the beautiful cooperation between China and Portuguese speaking countries. The very important role Macau has as a platform connecting China and the PLP (Países de Língua Portuguesa). It also allowed me to meet and interact with people of various nationalities that I did not know before. I was able to visit places with beautiful stories, such as the largest bridge in the world connecting Zhuhai-Macao-Hong Kong. It was three wonderful days and I would like to join again next year." – Silvino Pinho, Master of Communication and Media student.
"Every moment or experience you live in your life is unique. Thus, participating in that is an extraordinary experience, and I believe that the majority of people who participate in that camp can subscribe the same feelings as well as mine. The idea of building more relationships between China and Portuguese speaking countries through the new generation is very relevant for more future cooperation, because the young generation is the key of development. I would like to thank USJ for the opportunity of letting me participate in the camp.” – Jack Bonte Có, Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy student.
"It was an amazing moment for me where I had the chance to have fun, learn and share experiences with different people from different parts of the world and I am grateful for that." – Dalentche Gomes, Bachelor of Psychology student.
Adamson University heralds systemic change beyond the four walls of classroom instruction. Being a Catholic and a Vincentian University, administrators, teachers, co-academic personnel, students and alumni heed to the call of charity and compassion especially to the socially disadvantaged. Through the Integrated Community Services (ICES), they continue to reach out to community partners and beneficiaries.
Through its Summer School of Life Program and the different colleges, departments, offices and organizations of the university network work collaboratively to provide a holistic service to their adopted communities of the Provinces of Laguna, Rizal, and Bulacan.
Jointly, faculty and students of the College of Law extend paralegal special courses to the leaders in the different adopted communities on issues like Human Rights, Anti-Violence Against Women and Children, barangay conciliation, and labor management.
Financial and entrepreneurial literacy programs which are the flagship projects of the College of Business Administration are supplemented by technology-based livelihood and skills trainings spearheaded by the College of Science, to the adopted communities. Creative livelihood project workshops like dishwashing liquid, fabric conditioner and detergent powder making are promoted to help the communities in their income-generating ventures in projects implemented by the Chemical Engineering Department.
To support the wellness of the community, the College of Pharmacy holds drug formulation and herbal supplement making courses using sources found in the communities.
Continuing education on mental health and disability concerns is a continuing initiative of the University’s Psychology Department to the constituents of the communities.
The College of Engineering provides the widest array of technical skills training to the communities, starting with basic carpentry, practical knowledge on electrical wiring installation and electronics trouble shooting, welding technology and geohazard, energy and environment conservation. Basic computer skills on adobe Photoshop, computer hardware troubleshooting and knowledge on digital marketing were also part of their outreach programs.
The College of Architecture works with the communities in teaching them basic drafting skills, especially enhancing their carpentry knowledge.
The College of Architecture works with the communities in teaching them basic drafting skills, especially enhancing their carpentry knowledge.
Meanwhile, the College of Education and Liberal Arts train volunteer teachers in the community-based Day Care Program in the development of lessons and activities for the learners. The volunteer teachers are also being trained on the different methods and strategies of teaching and values education. The Communication Department gives lecture on Visual and Performing Arts while the faculty members of the Social Science Department educate leaders of the adopted communities on the principles of good governance.
As a support to the colleges, co-academic offices like the Guidance and Counselling Office and Library Services do their share by providing trainings for community-based Volunteer Librarians and Counselors.
Inspired by St. Vincent de Paul whose lords and masters are the poor, Adamson University is in the forefront of giving support to those who have less, enjoining all its stakeholders to be one in this cause.
In an Adamson student's vocabulary, "klasmeyt" is defined as the term we use to approach our schoolmates. Wherever you are on campus, you can hear someone will use this even if they are not real classmates. This call sign was started by an Electronics Engineering student way back in the year 2000 who used to call the Mass Communication student that he liked until some Adamsonians used it too and it became part of the Adamsonian culture. Even if you are in the first year, it doesn’t make you feel afraid to socialize with other students because you can feel that you are home. It builds up the whole community with camaraderie, solidarity, and respect.
The Adamsonian community follows the teachings of St. Vincent De Paul, the University’s patron saint. When you need help, Klasmeyt will always be there to lend a helping hand and serve those who are in need. Last October 28, 2022, Typhoon Paeng hit several areas in the Philippines which Metro Manila became Signal no. 3. The Paeng death toll rose to 101, and caused residents to climb to the roof of their flooded houses waiting to be rescued. Different student organizations from Adamson University conducted a Donation Drive to help fellow "klasmeyts" who are affected by the calamity. This has also been part of the Adamsonian culture every time there is a catastrophe or even on an ordinary day, there are student volunteers and student assistants who are willing to give service and care for those in need. It is just the Vincentian spirit that we place in our acts and hearts. The word "klasmeyt" is not only about encouraging everyone to treat as a family but also defining it as the responsible leaders of the society. These practices show as a mark of a true Adamsonian that inspires and empowers others to become agents of change.
The Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) is a large network of ancient pilgrim routes in Spain. The Catholic University of Korea offered scholarships to go on the pilgrimage during the university's 167th Founding Anniversary Mass on May 26. One hundred four students received one million won per person (approximately 870 dollars at the time) to go on the pilgrimage. Since the pandemic, like many other countries, traveling has been significantly curtailed in South Korea, not to mention overseas. Now the strict regulations for travel have been lifted, CUK wanted to encourage students to experience other cultures around the world during the vacation and develop global competency. The scholarship recipients formed a group of three or more and submitted a proposal for the traveling itineraries, including at least 100 km of the trail with a particular theme. While on the pilgrimage, students posted articles, photos, and videos of their pilgrimage experiences in real-time on the university's website to share their vivid experiences with university members. In addition, a joint chat room was operated to share various problems and experiences that may occur during the pilgrimage.
Fr. Ji Yong-sik, a professor at the Graduate School of Cannon Law who had already made the pilgrimage, was appointed as the advisor for the program. Park Chae-eun, a senior at the Department of International Studies and the representative of the "Touring City Women" team chosen for their traveling proposal, said, "We chose a pilgrimage route along the Atlantic coast from Lisbon, Portugal, and after the pilgrimage, we are heading to Barcelona. Then, during the 23 hours of layover in Dubai, we plan to go on a desert tour at Dubai Airport."
President Fr. Luke Won Jongchul said, "We hope this pilgrimage opportunity will provide ample time for peripatetic self-reflections and ruminate on the true 'I'-ness within, as a food for thought in line with the university's apothegm." He continued, "While en route to Santiago pilgrimage, students will broaden and illuminate their horizon by encountering and interacting with young people from around the world and discover the 'I'-ness in others." Fr. Won plans to support the Santiago pilgrimage scholarship every year in the future. The funding for the pilgrimage scholarship was given through "Chung Heun Joon Joseph Scholarship Fund," at the benefactor's request.