The 32nd ASEACCU Annual Conference was successfully held from August 18 to August 21, 2026, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. For the first time, the Conference was co-hosted by two member universities, Universitas Sanata Dharma (USD) and Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta (UAJY), with collaborative support from the ASEACCU Secretariat at the University of Saint Joseph, Macao (USJ). This year’s Conference welcomed 258 participants from 60 institutions, representing Australia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Macao, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan ROC, Thailand and Timor-Leste. The gathering also welcomed institutions from India for the first time, marking a new milestone in ASEACCU’s regional engagement.

Guided by the theme “Education, Hope, and Human Flourishing: Fostering Intercultural Encounter and Dialogue,” this year’s Conference explored the role of Catholic higher education in fostering the flourishing of individuals and communities through education, hope, intercultural encounter and dialogue. Through keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, student activities and spiritual and cultural programmes, participants exchanged perspectives and experiences while strengthening connections among ASEACCU member institutions.

[Group photo of the clergy concelebrating the Opening Mass at St. Robertus Bellarminus Chapel during the 32nd ASEACCU Annual Conference 2026, co-hosted by ASEACCU member universities Universitas Sanata Dharma (USD) and Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta (UAJY)]

The Conference programme began on August 19 at Universitas Sanata Dharma with an Opening Mass at St. Robertus Bellarminus Chapel. Celebrated with a theme reflecting the cultural diversity of the Indonesian archipelago, it was presided over by Mgr. Antonius Subianto Bunjamin, OSC, Chairman of the Bishops’ Conference of Indonesia, and concelebrated by clergy from Indonesia and participating ASEACCU institutions.

[From left: During the Opening Ceremony of the 32nd ASEACCU Annual Conference 2026, Fr. Albertus Bagus Laksana, S.J., USD Rector , and Professor Álvaro Barbosa, Vice-Rector for Internationalisation and Academic Affairs of USJ, representing the ASEACCU Executive Secretary, delivered welcoming remarks to the ASEACCU community gathered in Yogyakarta.]

During the Opening Ceremony, Fr. Albertus Bagus Laksana, S.J., USD Rector, and Professor Álvaro Barbosa, Vice-Rector for Internationalisation and Academic Affairs at USJ, and representing  the ASEACCU Executive Secretary, delivered welcoming remarks to the ASEACCU community gathered in Yogyakarta.

Continuing the tradition of keynote lectures and discussions, the academic programme approached the Conference theme through different dimensions of human flourishing. Professor Zlatko Skrbis, Vice-Chancellor and President of Australian Catholic University, delivered the first keynote speech on “The Good Life (Individual Flourishing)”, followed by a panel discussion on “Human Flourishing.” Student delegates later participated in dedicated workshops, reflection and sharing activities, providing opportunities for dialogue and exchange across cultures and institutions.

On the second day at UAJY, delegates were welcomed by Dr. Gregorius Sri Nurhartanto, Rector of Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta. Hilmar Farid, Ph.D., historian and Founder of Jalindonesia, delivered the second keynote on “Flourishing Community (Collective Flourishing)”, while Professor Clara R.P. Ajisuksmo of the Centre for Societal Development Studies, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, addressed “Integral Health (Holistic Flourishing).” A student-led panel on “Hope, Education, and Health” also placed the perspectives and experiences of young people at the centre of the Conference discussions.

[The student-led panel “Hope, Education and Health” during the ASEACCU Annual Conference. From left: Dr. Teresa Loong, Vice-Rector of USJ and Chair of the ASEACCU Conference Steering Committee; Dr. Nicolas Vergier, IFCU Representative; and student representatives Ms. Adenta Schrabelia Priyatmoko (Indonesia), Ms. Siu Kit Yu (Hong Kong), Mr. Saw Khin Maung Maung (Macao), and Ms. Shin-En Lee (Taiwan, ROC), who participated in the Cross-Border Service-Learning Initiative.]

[Conference delegates at Prambanan Temple during the 32nd ASEACCU Annual Conference in August 2026. The cultural visit included a Ramayana Ballet performance, offering participants an opportunity to experience Yogyakarta’s rich cultural heritage while fostering community and intercultural exchange.]

The programme was complemented by student performances and cultural activities celebrating the diversity of the ASEACCU community. Conference delegates also travelled to Prambanan, where they attended a Ramayana Ballet performance, offering participants an opportunity to experience the rich cultural heritage of Yogyakarta while continuing the spirit of fellowship and intercultural encounter beyond the academic sessions.

The ASEACCU General Assembly was held to discuss and approve matters concerning the continuing development of the Association, and formally welcomed two new member institutions from the Philippines: Saint Michael College of Caraga, Inc. and La Consolacion University Philippines. Four institutions from India were also welcomed as observers: Sacred Heart College (Autonomous), Thevara; Christ University; St. Claret College Autonomous; and Kristu Jayanti University, marking an important expansion of ASEACCU’s engagement with Catholic higher education in the region.

The General Assembly also announced Assumption University, Thailand, as the host institution of the 33rd ASEACCU Annual Conference, to be held from August 9 to August 12, 2027. The theme of the next Annual Conference will be announced at a later date.

[MoU Signing Ceremony at the 32nd ASEACCU Annual Conference 2026, during which 20 institutions signed a total of 59 agreements to strengthen academic cooperation and collaboration among ASEACCU member institutions.]

Strengthening international cooperation among member institutions remained an important part of this year’s gathering. 20 institutions signed a total of 59 Memoranda of Understanding, reinforcing ASEACCU’s mission of fostering collaboration across borders and creating further opportunities for partnerships in teaching, research, academic exchange and other areas of cooperation.

On the final day, delegates travelled to Hati Kudus Tuhan Yesus Ganjuran Church in Bantul, Yogyakarta, for a short cultural visit followed by the Closing Mass. Celebrated with a Javanese theme, it was presided over by Fr. Albertus Bagus Laksana, S.J., S.S., Ph.D., Provincial of the Society of Jesus in Indonesia, together with guest and participant concelebrants from across the ASEACCU community.

[From left: Dr. Thananporn Sethjinda, Director of the Office of International Affairs, Assumption University; Professor Álvaro Barbosa, Vice-Rector at USJ and representative of ASEACCU Executive Secretary; Dr. Gregorius Sri Nurhartanto, Rector of UAJY; and Fr. Albertus Bagus Laksana, S.J., Rector of USD, during the official handover ceremony]

The Closing Ceremony marked the official handover of the ASEACCU Annual Conference to Assumption University, Thailand, as host of the 33rd ASEACCU Annual Conference in 2027. Professor Álvaro Barbosa, representing the ASEACCU Executive Secretary, together with the Rectors of the two 2026 co-host universities, USD and UAJY, formally handed over to Dr. Thananporn Sethjinda, representing Assumption University, continuing ASEACCU’s annual tradition of collaboration, encounter and fellowship across the region.

With the celebration of the Closing Mass, the official handover to the next host institution, the signing of new institutional partnerships, cultural experiences and the active participation of student delegates throughout the programme, the 32nd ASEACCU Annual Conference came to a memorable conclusion.

On behalf of the ASEACCU Secretariat, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Universitas Sanata Dharma and Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta for co-hosting this year’s Conference, and to all facilitators, speakers, panellists, guests, participants, students, faculty and staff whose contributions made the gathering in Yogyakarta a memorable event for the ASEACCU community. The ASEACCU Secretariat also gratefully acknowledges the support of the Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macao SAR Government (DSEDJ) and the Education Fund of Macao, whose support contributed to the successful participation of the University of Saint Joseph in this year’s Conference.

View the Conference Highlights reel >

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Special thanks to all Speakers and Panellists at the 32nd ASEACCU Annual Conference:

• Professor Zlatko Skrbis, Australian Catholic University
• Dr. Hilmar Farid, Ph.D, Historian, Founder of Jalindonesia
• Prof. Clara R.P. Ajisuksmo, Centre for Societal Development Studies, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia
• Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, President of Saint Louis University, Philippines
• Rev. Fr. Joseph Chacko Chennattuserry, Vice-Chancellor of Christ University, India
• Rev. Choi Jun-gyu, President of The Catholic University of Korea, South Korea
• Prof. Peter Yao-Tang Lin, Vice-President of Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages, Taiwan ROC
• Dr. Gregorius Sri Nurhartanto, Universitas Atma Yaja Yogyakarta, Indonesia
• Fr. Winai Boonlue, SJ, Saengtham College, Xavier Campus, Chiang Rai, Thailand
• Dr. Phon Sophal, Saint Paul Institute – The Apostolic Vicariate of Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• Rev. Fr. Robert Kisala, Nanzan University, Japan
• Dr. Nicolas Vergier, International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU)
• Dr. Teresa Loong, University of Saint Joseph, Macao 
• Ms. Adenta Schrabelia Priyatmoko (Adenta), Indonesia Student Representative
• Ms Siu Kit Yu (Tiffany), Hong Kong Student Representative
• Mr. Saw Khin Maung Maung (Charlie), Macau Student Representative
• Ms. Shin-En Lee (Christine), Taiwan Student Representative
• Fr. Albertus Bagus Laksana, Sanata Dharma
• Fr. Isaías Abílio Caldas, Instituto São João de Brito
• Rev. Fr. Roderick G. Villamar, Saint Louis College of San Fernando, La Union, Philippines
• Dr. Chris Riley, University of Notre Dame Australia