Father Ramírez Yáñez Assumes Presidency, Beccalli Takes Vice-Presidency at FIUC
Catholic Universities Gather for Centennial Celebration and Strategic Planning
The International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU) recently held its 28th General Assembly in Guadalajara, Mexico, marking a significant milestone in the organisation's history - the culmination of the centennial celebrations for the federation, founded in 1924.
The five-day event, themed "Catholic Universities, Choreographers of Knowledge," was a platform for debates, meetings, workshops, and conferences, attracting over two hundred participants who listened, dialogued, and reflected on identity, mission, and future prospects.
The IFCU, established in 1924 and consolidated its mission in 1965, aims to enhance university education and scientific research inspired by Catholic values and contribute to international debate on crucial themes. It serves as a network of over 240 Catholic higher education institutions worldwide, promoting integral education, intercultural dialogue, peace-building, and social impact, in line with the call of Pope Francis to be “laboratories of fraternity, homes of ecological conversion, and instruments of integral human development.”
During the assembly, Father Francisco Ramírez Yanéz was elected as the new president of IFCU for the 2025-2028 triennium. Under his leadership, IFCU is expected to continue promoting the Federation’s core values, including academic rigor combined with faith and intellectual creativity, facilitating dialogue between cultures, offering leadership training, and focusing on social impact.
Elena Beccalli, rector of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, was elected vice-president and member of the Board of Administration of FIUC. Her role will be to further consolidate the commitment of Catholic universities in keeping their voice alive and reaffirming the central role of education, university training, and culture.
The event also highlighted successful university-business collaborations, such as the E4Impact Foundation, born from a spin-off of Altis, the Graduate School of Sustainable Management of the University, and the Africa Plan of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart.
Stephen Morgan of the University of Saint Joseph in Macao, China, and Katia Passerini of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, were also elected as vice-presidents of FIUC. The election took place during the 28th General Assembly of FIUC hosted by the Universidad del Valle de Atemajac in Guadalajara, Mexico.
The assembly promoted reflection on the role of the Catholic university as an agent in the creation, articulation, and dynamization of knowledge. It also served as a stepping stone towards the next IFCU General Assembly, which will be held at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa in 2028.
In sum, IFCU and its member universities strive to integrate faith, knowledge, and social responsibility to shape a more just and sustainable world through Catholic higher education.
- The strategic planning discussions during the Centennial Celebration of the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU) underscored the commitment to fostering education-and-self-development inspired by Catholic values, and furthering the general-news debate on crucial themes.
- The IFCU, in its mission to promote integral education and intercultural dialogue, is expected to continue emphasizing academic rigor, intellectual creativity, and social impact, thereby serving as laboratories of fraternity, homes of ecological conversion, and instruments of integral human development.
