Fr Marcelo Farfán, IUS general coordinator, said that this second module is essential to share key elements around two themes: how to animate and manage a Salesian institution of higher education and how to animate and manage the Catholic and Salesian identity of these institutes.
Through various interventions and experiences the following skills are hoped to be tested and fostered:
- Develop a better understanding of the mission and identity of a Catholic and Salesian Higher Education Institution.
- Ensure the evangelizing intentionality of a IUS.
- Experiment with the Preventive System in the context of higher education.
- Guarantee the centrality of the option for young people, especially the poorest people and 'working class' neighbourhoods.
- Ensure the pastoral dimension of the university.
Fr Javier Herrán, UPS Rector, welcomed the participants from Europe, Africa and America. The first session was led by Fr Fernando Montes, a Jesuit priest, on the theme "Identity and Mission of the Catholic University", followed by the theme "Salesian presence in education: from the Oratorian experience to higher education", given by the Salesian Center for Ongoing Formation America (CSFPA).
Some of the topics covered during the course are: "The historical process of IUS", by Mario Olmos; "The IUS network today" and the "Salesian University Pastoral", by Fr Marcelo Farfán; "The Salesian Educational-Pastoral Model", by Fr Fabio Attard, General Councilor for Youth Ministry, via Skype; "The option for young people, especially for the poorest and 'working class' zones", by Fr Ronaldo Zacharias; "Salesian University Leadership", by Fr Alejandro Rodríguez; "The Preventive System in Salesian Higher Education", by Fr Michal Vojtas, among others.
The work methodology is characterized by being formative-experiential, allowing participants to deepen, reflect and take on the role of leadership. Undoubtedly, training university leaders is pointing to the future.
