Subject: 'austraLasia' #424

ASIAN MEETING OF SALESIAN INSTITUTES OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Carlos Garulo

BANGKOK: 2nd October -- Thailand has been chosen as the centre for the third world gathering of leaders of Salesian Universities and Institutes of Higher Education. The gathering takes place between 2nd and 5th October and involves Salesians and lay people from our institutes throughout Asia and including Papua New Guinea. Eight are from India, three from the Philippines, one each from Japan and PNG, and there are at least another eight representatives from the school sector of Thailand and from the Americas and Europe.

The aim of these gatherings - two have already been held, one in Europe (Germany)and the other in Quito (Ecuador) is to create what could best be called 'synergy' between the Salesian institutes of higher education world-wide. This is in view of a plan emanating from the Salesian General Council, and given the personal support of the Rector Major through his appointed delegate to IUS, Fr. Carlos Garulo.

The gathering is not unlike an education Fair, which Asian communities are very familiar with, usually in the guise of soliciting students for higher education in other parts! But this Fair is different in that it is essentially a sharing of inititives, approaches, and establishing possible points of co-operation.