On 27 February 2025, Fr. Roberto C. YAP S.J., President of the Ateneo de Manila University and President of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in Asia-Pacific, delivered the keynote address at the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU) International Education Conference (IEC), held in Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan. Fr. Yap focused on two main themes: convictions and challenges that Jesuit universities currently face. He emphasized that social justice and service to others are essential elements of Jesuit education, constituting the very identity of a Jesuit university, which cannot be confined only to its pursuit of academic excellence, but must be defined by its active commitment to promoting justice, the common good, and service to others. This commitment is rooted in the Jesuit mission of reconciliation with justice, which involves reconciliation with God, others, and creation. Fr. Yap referenced General Congregations 34, which affirms that a Jesuit university must actively participate in this mission of justice and peace.

Fr. Yap also discussed the four key characteristics of Jesuit education as outlined by former Fr. General Peter-Hans Kolvenbach SJ: utilitas (practicality), justicia (social commitment), humanitas (humanistic formation), and fides (religious dimension). These values distinguish Jesuit education, which seeks to prepare students not only for professional careers but also for lives of social responsibility, personal integrity, and spiritual meaning. Jesuit education aims to form whole persons who are capable of engaging in both intellectual and moral pursuits while living according to Jesuit values.

He gave the example of Ateneo de Manila University, which seeks to give balanced priority to each of these values, avoiding to pit one against the other. Ateneo de Manila has chosen to incorporate all these Ignatian values into their curriculum, embracing a “both-and” rather than an “either-or” approach. For instance, despite receiving comments that they should focus more—or even solely—on utilitas, they intentionally integrate both utilitas and humanitas into their curricula. This approach ensures that Ateneo de Manila education not only equips students for the global workforce but also develops them into well-rounded individuals. The University remains committed to the strength of its humanistic curriculum while continuously promoting innovation that responds to the needs of the modern world. To Ateneo de Manila, the mission is in the curriculum.

The second part of Fr. Yap’s talk addressed the significant challenges Jesuit universities face today, particularly with regard to artificial intelligence (AI) and climate change. He cited Pope Francis’ teachings on AI, emphasizing that AI must be used responsibly, with a focus on serving the common good and maintaining human dignity. Fr. Yap reiterated the Pope’s warning that AI could worsen crises of truth if not managed thoughtfully. Similarly, Fr. Yap highlighted climate change as an urgent issue that Jesuit universities must address. The year 2024 is touted to be the hottest year on record, with average global temperatures having already surpassed the 1.5°C threshold which an overwhelming majority of climate scientists recognize as the critical threshold. Jesuit universities must therefore respond to this ecological crisis with a commitment to integral ecology and social justice.

Fr. Yap highlighted that despite the many challenges of the modern world, including AI and climate change, Jesuit universities are called to be beacons of hope in an uncertain and volatile world. The goal is not only to address the urgent issues facing society but also to remain faithful to the Jesuit mission of justice, service, and the formation of fully human persons. As Fr. Yap mentioned in his speech, Pope Francis reminds us that Catholic colleges and universities are called to “make choices—choices that reflect the Gospel. They must take a stand, clearly demonstrate it through their actions, and ‘get their hands dirty’ in the spirit of the Gospel for the transformation of the world and in service to the human person.”