Dr. Murzaku Represents IFCU
Speaking to a gathering of dozens of the most influential leaders in Catholic Studies in the United States, Ines Murzaku, Ph.D., Professor of Religion and Director and Chair of the Catholic Studies.
International Federation of Catholic Universities
In 2021, Seton Hall University received the honor of being accepted into the prestigious International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU), a world-renowned international organization of more than 200 Catholic universities worldwide.
The vocation of the Federation is:
- To promote, among Catholic institutions of higher education and research, a collective reflection on their mission
- To promote university cooperation in the field of research and the valorization of research results among the various decision-makers
- To facilitate the sharing of experience and expertise in the field of higher education
- To represent Catholic universities in international organizations and associations and, in accordance with its institutional priorities, to collaborate with them. These organizations include The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the Council of Europe. The IFCU collaborates with the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, the Congregation for Catholic Education, Agency for the Evaluation and Promotion of Quality in Ecclesiastical Universities and Faculties (AVEPRO), and other Vatican dicasteries including the Dicastery for Integral Human Development.
- To contribute to the development of Catholic higher education and to the affirmation of its specific character
Membership in the IFCU opens the door to a wealth of new opportunities for Seton Hall, including:
- Participation in important discussions about issues facing higher Catholic education globally
- International scientific collaboration
- Inter-university and multidisciplinary research
- The potential to build international programs with IFCU partner universities
- Global presence and networking
- Participation in a number of international organizations including The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the Council of Europe
In his letter to Isabel Capeloa Gil, president of the IFCU, Seton Hall University president Joseph E. Nyre emphasized the significance of joining such a prestigious international institution:
"It is important for Seton Hall University to be part of the International Federation of Catholic Universities and share the great wealth that comes from the encounter between so many universities, as Pope Francis said to the members of the IFCU in audience in the Vatican in 2017. The IFCU is called to take up the moral imperative of striving to achieve a more united international academic community, and Seton Hall University is up to the task to help answer that call."
In the News
Provost Passerini Elected to Board of IFCU
Katia Passerini, Ph.D., Seton Hall Provost and Executive Vice President, was elected to the Administrative Board for the International Federation of Catholic Universities.
SHU’s Interdisciplinarity Receives Attention
It was very exciting to be part of this international meeting of the IFCU and to present to an international audience some of the best practices we have developed at Seton Hall” said Dr. Murzaku
Seton Hall Faculty Lead International Discussion on DEI
Seton Hall faculty moderated a IFCU discussion on diversity, equity and inclusion, with Associate Professor Justin Anderson discussing research around a Catholic view of diversity.