YOGYAKARTA, INDONESIA — Saint Mary’s University (SMU) joined Catholic higher education institutions from across Asia in the opening of the 32nd General Assembly of the Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic Colleges and Universities (ASEACCU) on August 19 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The gathering is hosted by Universitas Sanata Dharma and Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta.

This year’s General Assembly centers on the theme of human flourishing, highlighting the role of Catholic universities in promoting the integral development of the whole person. The opening discussions brought together university leaders and students to reflect on how education can nurture not only knowledge and skills, but also character, purpose, compassion, spirituality, leadership, and commitment to the common good.

A significant aspect of the gathering is the inclusion of both university leaders and students in conversations on human flourishing. University leaders reflected on their responsibility to create educational communities where students can thrive, while students shared their experiences, aspirations, challenges, and expectations. These conversations are particularly relevant as higher education responds to rapid developments in artificial intelligence and technology, globalization, social inequalities, environmental concerns, and changing expectations about work and society. Amid these challenges, Catholic universities are called to ensure that education retains its deeply human dimension—where competence is accompanied by compassion, innovation by ethical responsibility, and personal achievement by a commitment to the common good. Human dignity, solidarity, integral development, and service remain at the heart of this mission.

The ASEACCU gathering also provides an important platform for Catholic universities to strengthen connections and forge bilateral and mutually beneficial partnerships that advance shared academic and institutional interests. Through its participation in ASEACCU and other international networks, SMU continues to broaden its global engagement while ensuring that internationalization remains grounded in its Catholic mission, promoting intercultural understanding, shared learning, and opportunities that contribute to the holistic formation of its students and the development of the wider academic community.

On the firs day, SMU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Universitas Katolik Parahyangan (UNPAR) of Indonesia. The agreement opens opportunities for future collaboration in academic exchange, student and faculty mobility, research, international conferences, and other initiatives of mutual interest.

Representing SMU at the conference, which runs from Aug. 18 to 21, are Rev. Fr. Philip A. Yu, Jr., CICM, Vice President for Mission and Identity, and Dr. Clara Gonzales, Head of the Internationalization Office.

The theme of human flourishing resonates with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). ASEACCU is a regional association of Catholic colleges and universities in Southeast and East Asia that promotes collaboration, dialogue, and partnership among member institutions.