University Social Responsibility
In recent years, various rankings (Shanghai, Times Higher Education) have emerged to establish university rankings in a highly competitive academic environment. However, these rankings are notably based on narrow scientific criteria, and neglect essential values for today's societies.
Echoing a growing number of initiatives around the world aimed at promoting the RSU, the Newman Benchmark created by IFCU aims to be a viable alternative to current rankings. By conveying principles and values in line with the Church's humanist and Catholic tradition, it places the notion of responsibility at the heart of university life and all members of the community.
The Newman Evaluation Scheme, which is based on the aforementioned reference framework, makes the RSU policies and practices of Catholic universities visible and quantifiable, helping to highlight the added value they bring to the higher education panorama.
Information/Contact:
Dr Montserrat Alom - Director of CIRAD-FIUC
montserrat.alom@bureau.fiuc.org
RSU Guide
In 2017, the General Secretariat of the International Federation of Catholic Universities (FIUC) proposed to launch a wide-ranging study on the social responsibility of Catholic universities (RSUs) around the world. One of the particularities of the Federation is that it studies themes comparatively, and therefore from a resolutely international and multicultural angle. Given the global challenges facing higher education, it seemed appropriate to examine how the notion of social responsibility was translated, understood and, of course, implemented in the various countries where our member universities operate.
For universities whose questioning of their Catholic identity is a constant stimulus, it was also interesting to study how the order of values and sometimes norms, presented in Catholic social teaching, could be institutionalized and put into practice within university policies, and in the commitment of universities within their ecosystems. At a time when Pope Francis is constantly calling on Catholic universities to articulate head, heart and hands, meaning by this that research and teaching must find concrete extensions for the benefit of improving life within our societies, This research on social responsibility also serves as a reminder of the importance of the university's commitment as a teaching, research and service community, in a world marked by globalization, with all its advantages but also all its pitfalls.
Under the responsibility of Dr. Montserrat Alom, Director of our International Center for Research and Decision Support (CIRAD), an international team of researchers and consultants were called upon to define the social responsibility of Catholic universities. The result is the Référentiel Newman, which is undoubtedly the most accomplished and comprehensive reference framework on this issue to date. The aim of this book is to help our member universities to evaluate their practices in this field, in conjunction with the training courses that FIUC offers on University Social Responsibility. Let's hope that it will be the start of a fruitful and useful process for our universities at the service of society.
Dr. François Mabille
FIUC General Secretary