YOGYAKARTA, INDONESIA — What began as a gathering of Catholic universities around the theme of human flourishing concluded with new opportunities for Saint Mary’s University (SMU) to connect, collaborate, and create meaningful international experiences for its academic community.

At the conclusion of the 32nd General Assembly of the Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic Colleges and Universities (ASEACCU), SMU signed four partnership agreements with Catholic higher education institutions in Asia: Universitas Katolik Parahyangan (UNPAR) and Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta in Indonesia, Saint Francis University in Hong Kong, and San Beda University in the Philippines.

The agreements mark another step in SMU’s continuing efforts to expand its international network and strengthen partnerships that can translate into concrete opportunities for students, faculty, and researchers.

The agreements provide a framework for possible collaboration in student and faculty mobility, academic exchange, research, international conferences, and other initiatives of mutual interest. More importantly, they create avenues for SMU to learn from and work alongside fellow Catholic universities that share its commitment to holistic education and service.

For SMU, internationalization is not simply about establishing connections abroad. It is about creating opportunities for members of the university community to encounter different cultures, perspectives, and academic environments while remaining grounded in the university’s mission and identity.

The ASEACCU General Assembly, held from August 18 to 21 in Yogyakarta, brought together Catholic university leaders, faculty members, and students from across Southeast and East Asia. Hosted by Universitas Sanata Dharma and Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta, the assembly explored the theme of human flourishing and the responsibility of Catholic universities to place the human person at the center of education.

The discussions highlighted the need for higher education to respond to emerging challenges—including artificial intelligence, technological change, globalization, social inequalities, environmental concerns, and changing expectations about work—while ensuring that education continues to nurture character, compassion, purpose, spirituality, and a commitment to the common good.

The new partnerships complement SMU’s growing portfolio of international linkages and reinforce its commitment to building a more globally engaged university community.

Representing SMU at the assembly were Rev. Fr. Philip A. Yu, Jr., CICM, Vice President for Mission and Identity, and Dr. Clara Gonzales, Head of the Internationalization Office.

As the ASEACCU assembly concluded, the newly forged partnerships opened the door to the next stage of collaboration—turning conversations into exchanges, agreements into programs, and international connections into opportunities that contribute to the flourishing of students, educators, and communities.

The partnerships also advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), underscoring the role of Catholic universities in working together across borders for education, solidarity, and sustainable development.