News

Scholarship in service of the world

As his presidency of SACRU concludes, Professor Zlatko Skrbis reflects on what Catholic universities can achieve when they work together toward a common purpose.

Three years ago, at a gathering at Boston College in Massachusetts, I was elected as President of the Strategic Alliance of Catholic Research Universities (SACRU) – a network of like-minded institutions spanning five continents.

This international alliance was established in 2020 with a clear purpose: to cultivate cooperation between its founding members to advance world-leading knowledge and higher education for the common good.

Its first two years were impressively productive, especially when you consider the disruption of the pandemic period. SACRU became a ‘university without walls’, proving that collaboration could thrive even when the boundaries seemed insurmountable.

When I assumed the presidency in 2022, I saw an opportunity to build on these strong foundations. My vision was simple yet ambitious: if one Catholic research university could make an impact on its own, imagine the potential of eight combined.

Three years on, I have come to appreciate more than ever the unique power of purposeful global collaboration. Our achievements are too plentiful to catalogue, but I will highlight two initiatives that exemplify what we can accomplish when we work together.

In mid-2023, I chaired a scientific colloquium held at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, where academics and church leaders from around the world explored the rise of artificial intelligence. This wasn’t just another conference investigating AI’s impact on higher education – it was a critical conversation about our responsibility as Catholic institutions to navigate this technological transformation.

The resulting position paper offers a powerful and thoughtful roadmap for how Catholic universities can guide AI’s evolution toward a more human-centered approach. Since then, our dedicated working group has continued to examine the many ethical challenges related to AI and human agency, including the potential emergence of artificial general intelligence and superintelligence, and the ethics of autonomous vehicles.

Another example worth highlighting is our work on the urgent and noble task of progressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Released in June this year, Driving Global Change was SACRU’s first publication dedicated to advancing the SDGs, and it perfectly captures who we are as Catholic institutions.

From mental health support programs in Portugal and water access initiatives in Ecuador, to biodiversity research in Japan and reflections on institutions and democracy in Italy, the report presents a striking global tapestry of hope, ingenuity, and compassion in action.

The contributions to this report are particularly inspiring because they are not abstract – they are lived, local, and human. What enthuses me most is the engagement from students; emerging scholars who are not only learning about global challenges but actively working to address them. Their energy and insights reflect SACRU’s commitment to an intergenerational approach, where the wisdom of academics is enriched by the creativity and conscience of our future leaders.

Over the past three years, I’ve been privileged to observe such activities during a time of growth and momentum for this young alliance. I’ve also been blessed to work closely with distinguished colleagues from across the network – leaders whose vision has been constant source of inspiration.

Today, I hand over the reins to one of them, Professor Isabel Capeloa Gil. As the first woman to serve as president of the International Federation of Catholic Universities, and the second female Rector of the Catholic University of Portugal, Professor Gil has been a pioneering advocate for women’s leadership in higher education. I am confident that with her at the helm, SACRU will continue to grow, facilitating global collaboration and consideration of critical issues that face the world. 

My years leading this alliance have reinforced my belief that universities are vital engines for global progress, developing and disseminating knowledge through research and education. As Catholic universities, we bring something distinctive to this endeavour, advancing the pursuit of knowledge through partnership and shared purpose. With our focus on the values of human dignity and social justice, we have a responsibility to ensure that future generations are better off than their predecessors, and that nobody is left behind.

The work that SACRU undertakes might not always make headlines, but it leaves an indelible mark. As my time as president comes to an end, I express my immense gratitude – for the opportunity to lead, and for the continuing promise of our mission.

The road ahead is complex. The path is uncertain and the challenges profound. But if our progress reminds us of anything, it is that Catholic universities are well placed to meet this moment – guided by a rich tradition, equipped with the tools of scholarship, and united in the shared mission of shaping a more just and sustainable world.

This article is part of the Vice Chancellor's Blog, which highlights stories, insights and perspectives from across the university.