The International Association of Lasallian Universities (IALU) held its XIV Encuentro in Nairobi from December 1 to 5, the global gathering that every three years brings together university leaders from across the Lasallian network. Under the theme 'UBUNTU, I am what I am because of what we all are,' the IALU reflected on the present and future of higher education. The organization also appointed the new members of the IALU Board: David Livingston is the new President of the association, succeeding Br. Andrés Govela, and Josep M. Santos, General Manager of La Salle-URL, has been named the new Vice President.
This is the first time an IALU Encuentro has taken place in Africa, hosted jointly by the seven Lasallian higher education institutions on the continent. The event was organized by the region comprising the United States, Anglophone Africa, and the Middle East. In total, nearly one hundred representatives from all IALU regions attended: Europe and Francophone Africa, Asia, the United States, the Middle East, Mexico, Central America, and South America. The thematic focus of the sessions centered on human interdependence, Lasallian identity, and the need to strengthen international cooperation in the face of major educational and social challenges shaping the future.
Identity, mission, and transformation for the future of IALU
The programme of the XIV IALU Encuentro included conferences, working sessions, and spaces for strategic reflection. Among other topics, participants discussed the role and future of Lasallian universities in Africa, regional governance models, Lasallian identity, the Leaven Movement, and social impact. The case of Bethlehem University was reviewed as a benchmark of resilience, and attendees received global guidance from Br. Armin Luistro and Br. Carlos Gómez, Superior General and Vicar General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, respectively.
The Jesus Magister Project was also presented, along with discussions on artificial intelligence, the emerging role of Africa in education, and the latest developments of the La Salle Business School Alliance (LSBSA), whose Vice President is Chris Kennett, Dean of the International International Faculty of Commerce and Digital Economy at La Salle-URL (FICEDLS). In addition, a tribute was paid to Joan Landeros, IALU’s Director of Internationalisation, who received the first IALU Award for International Cooperation, recognising transformative internationalisation initiatives within the network.
In addition, the structure of IALU has been updated. In this new stage, Bethlehem University becomes part of the Europe Region. At the same time, the Africa Region has been created, led by Br. Paulos. The universities that make up this new region are the Ethiopian Catholic University in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Christ the Teacher College of Education in Tangaza (Kenya), EST La Salle in Douala (Cameroon), and Institut Supérieur Privé La Salle in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). IALU aims to become a key actor in the growth of higher education on the continent, which is expected to increase from 103 million university students in 2020 to 240 million in 2040.
New IALU Board of Directors: Josep M. Santos appointed Vice President of the association
El Encuentro ha concluido con la Asamblea General, en la que se ha elegido a los nuevos miembros del Consejo Directivo. De este modo, el hasta ahora presidente, el H. Andrés Govela, cede el testigo en el mando de la asociación a David Livingston, hasta ahora vicepresidente. A su vez, Josep M. Santos, director general de La Salle-URL, pasa a ser el nuevo vicepresidente, dejando el cargo que hasta ahora ostentaba, el de director de la Región de Europa y África francófona, a Philippe Choquet, director general de UniLaSalle. La anterior edición del Encuentro, celebrada en 2022, tuvo lugar en el campus de La Salle-URL y en el campus de Beauvais de UniLaSalle.
This appointment comes at a pivotal moment in the definition of the District University Project, the higher education initiative of La Salle in Spain and Portugal, led by the Madrid and Barcelona campuses within the framework of the Arlep District. In this context, the Nairobi Encuentro was also attended by Br. Julio González, Auxiliary Visitor for the Network of Educational Works, Director of the Network and Delegate for Educational Mission; Pere Vivancos, Director of the Network of Educational Works of La Salle Catalunya; and Montse Cortinas, Director of the Network of Educational Works of the Madrid sector.
