The Rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University (PUG), Fr. Nuno da Silva Gonçalves SJ, and the President of the Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (KU), Prof. Gabriele Gien, signed a Memorandum of Understanding a few days ago, sealing the cooperation between the two universities. The signing took place during a visit of the KU University Management to the Gregoriana in Rome.
The Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt is the only Catholic university in the German-speaking world, and his historic roots date back to the Collegium Willibaldinum (1567). With its approximately 5,000 students, 120 professors, more than 350 research associates and numerous lecturers from practical fields, the Katholische Universität offers more than 50 subjects from the field of the humanities, social sciences and cultural studies, mathematics and business administration.
During the one-day meeting, the management of the two universities discussed in particular their future cooperation in research projects. At the core of this research is a proposed collaboration with the new Institute for Anthropology - Interdisciplinary Studies on Human Dignity and Care for Vulnerable Persons (IADC) of the Gregorian University. The Eichstätt delegation discussed the envisaged cooperation in the development of blended learning programs with Fr. Hans Zollner SJ. The two universities are also considering an exchange of visiting professors and students. The Chairman of the KU Foundation Council, Prof. Dr. Peter Beer, who also teaches at the PUG, was present in the talks. Representatives of the two universities also exchanged views with the German Ambassador to the Holy See, Dr. Bernhard Kotsch.
Last 7 October the Rector Fr Nuno da Silva Gonçalves SJ and the Dean Fr Hans Zollner SJ met Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel in Rome at Villa Malta, seat of the periodical La Civiltà Cattolica, which will house the new premises of the Institute of Anthropology. The Institute will be officially presented on 14 October in the Aula Magna of the Gregorian University in the presence of numerous authorities; the event can be followed in live streaming on bit.ly/common-commitment
