On December 1st, The Beijing Center (TBC) participated in the annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific region’s Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) International Liaison Officers, hosted by Sophia University in Japan. Representatives from various AJCU schools, such as the University of Hong Kong, Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan, and Sogang University in South Korea, convened to address and forge solutions to issues identified during the AJCU Leadership Meeting earlier in August in the Philippines.
AJCU-AP International Networking Officers Annual Meeting
At the meeting, TBC Assistant Dean Wang Yang presented the work of the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU) special task force “Peace and Reconciliation.” Since 2021, TBC has actively organized “Retreat” activities, offering students a pause from their bustling lives to enrich their self-awareness and interpersonal understanding. This initiative has not only been a beacon of success but also set a benchmark in educational projects for the task force. Further enriching the dialogue, the University of Hong Kong and Fu Jen Catholic University shared their significant achievements within the same task force, laying a foundation of shared experiences for all alliance members. A resolution was adopted to introduce a “Peace and Reconciliation” quarterly module in North American AJCU’s newsletters to bolster information exchange and collaborative learning among member institutions.
Click on the picture to learn about the “Retreat” event
Moreover, Assistant Dean Amber Wang also introduced the “ChinaContact” program offered by TBC to the attending representatives. This program primarily facilitates short-term academic and business exchanges in mainland China for overseas scholars and students, allowing customization of study themes and routes based on individual needs. Over the years, this program has attracted diverse groups, including the Hong Kong Diocese Group, the University of Antwerp in Belgium, and Colégio Mateus Ricci in Macau. Through this platform, TBC encourages collaboration with alliance schools to promote Sino-Western cultural exchange.
Click on the picture to learn about the “ChinaContact” program
During the meeting, representatives visited the Sophia University campus, gaining insights into the school’s commitment to the educational philosophy of St. Francis Xavier. The bilingual motto displayed in the Sophia University Historical Museum, “Men and Women for Others, with Others,” captured the attention of the attendees. This principle mirrors the ethos of AJCU schools, including TBC, emphasizing service to others and the promotion of intercultural dialogue.
Bilingual slogan in Japanese and English ——“Men and Women for Others, with Others”
In 2021, TBC forged a partnership with Sophia University to support their students in engaging with TBC’s Virtual Internship Program, enhancing their comprehension of Chinese culture and society. As Sophia University marked its 110th anniversary in 2023, TBC anticipates strengthening this collaboration further and hosting the next AJCU Leadership Meeting in August. Drawing on the insights and experiences from this meeting, TBC is keen on advancing Sino-Western cultural exchanges, further enriching its global educational mission.
Xavier statue at Sophia University
The past few weekends have been some of the most exciting of the entire semester, full of trips to the zoo, mountain hikes, ancient parks, and more! Our first trip out of many was a visit to the Beijing Zoo. I had mentioned earlier in the semester that I wanted to see some pandas, since I was in China after all, and our TBC friend Andy made it happen.
Spending a whole semester in Beijing, I knew I had to make the trip down south and check out Shanghai, and the city certainly lived up to the expectations. Everyone describes Shanghai as this super futuristic metropolis, and after spending a weekend there I understand why it has this reputation.