The Inaugural Symposium of the Global Research Alliance of Jesuit Universities (GRAJU) (HE Memo#Y3.51)

HE Memo#Y3.51
27 August 2025

We start the year with the good news that Ateneo de Manila is one of the founding members of the Global Research Alliance of Jesuit Universities (GRAJU). GRAJU seeks to build a unified research network that enhances scholarly partnerships, interdisciplinary innovation, and mission-driven inquiry. Established on 4 August 2025, GRAJU has been initiated by six Jesuit universities, including Ateneo de Manila University (the Philippines), Fordham University (USA), Georgetown University (USA), ITESO, Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara (Mexico), Sogang University (South Korea), and the Universidad de Deusto (Spain).

And not only that! Ateneo de Manila is where the inaugural symposium will take place on 9–12 March 2026 on the theme: The AI Frontier and the Distinctives of Global Jesuit Higher Education. We are thankful to the Office of the Assistant VP for Research, Creative Work, and Innovation (RCWI) as well as the Office of the Assistant VP for University Partnerships and Internationalization (UPI) for coming together to jointly provide the overall support for this symposium. We shall also be forming committees that can help with necessary arrangements for the success of the symposium.

The Symposium Content and Objectives

This symposium provides the opportunity to present research findings through paper or poster presentations and other formats that explore the multifaceted issues confronting Global Jesuit Higher Education and AI. Apart from the presentations, there will be one-on-one research meetings between scholars to discuss in depth their research collaboration. It aims to:

• Facilitate Dialogue: Create a vibrant platform for academics and administrators in Jesuit universities to discuss AI’s impact on global higher education
• Share Current AI-Related Research and Academic Programs: Discuss each university’s current capacity to contribute to the AI body of knowledge and forming of future AI professionals.
• Share Best Practices: Showcase innovative approaches and successful case studies of AI integration in learning, teaching, research, and administration.
• Produce Publications: Disseminate the important findings shared in this symposium through journal articles in Scopus-indexed publications
• Inspire Action: Motivate participants to engage with AI responsibly and equitably within their respective contexts
• Establish a Collaborative Work Agenda: Define a shared agenda for collaborative programs and research on AI in teaching, learning, and administration that advance the Jesuit mission and amplify the GRAJU network’s impact
• Prepare grant proposals: develop joint grant proposals to domestic and international foundations

Submission Guidelines

We welcome submissions that explore, but are not limited to, the following sub-themes:

1. AI in Ignatian Pedagogy and Curriculum Design
2. AI for University Management and Strategic Planning
3. AI in Research, Creative Work, and Innovation
4. Ethical, Equity, Legal, and Policy Implications of AI:
5. Global Collaboration and Future Models

Individual Abstracts

1. Maximum 250 words
2. Submit in Word format
3. Must include: Title, Name, Institutional Affiliation, Email Address, and Bionote

Panel Proposals

1. A brief description of the proposed panel (max 500 words)
2. Abstracts of individual papers in the panel
3. Five-sentence bionote for each paper proponent
4. Whenever possible, panelists should represent more than one Jesuit university

Important Dates

• Deadline for submission: 1 December 2025
• Notification of acceptance: 15 December 2025
• Symposium dates: 9–12 March 2026

Where to Submit and Inquire

Send abstracts and panel proposals and inquiries to: graju.research@ateneo.edu

More detailed information about the symposium and these sub-themes as well as possible topics under each can be obtained here GRAJU Inaugural Symposium - a document that has been sent to the other Jesuit universities that are members of the Alliance and those in other parts of the world.

Vote of Hope

I encourage our scholars to participate and be counted among our stalwarts in this alliance!