The signing took place during a visit of the KU University Management to the Gregoriana in Rome. 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" of the PUG. It is one of the world's foremost institutions in the fight against sexual abuse and provides scientific support for the Church's prevention education. The institution also offers degree programs in English and Spanish on intervention and prevention of sexual abuse of minors and other vulnerable groups.
The Eichstätt delegation discussed the envisaged cooperation in the development of blended learning programs with Prof. Dr. Hans Zollner SJ. The director of the institute is a psychologist and expert on child protection. 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. As part of the delegation's visit, representatives of the two universities also exchanged views with the German Ambassador to the Holy See, Dr. Bernhard Kotsch, over lunch.
The Pontifical Gregorian University traces its origins to the Collegio Romano, a college founded in 1551 by Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order. Today, the college under pontifical law is considered the most internationally renowned Pontifical University in the world. About 3000 students from about 120 countries are enrolled in its six faculties and are taught by 350 professors and lecturers. The spectrum of subjects ranges from theology, canon law, philosophy and church history to missiology and the social sciences. In addition, research is conducted in three institutes and five centers at the Gregoriana.
The Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt is the only Catholic university in the German-speaking world. It is open to students of all faiths and offers more than 50 subjects from the field of the humanities, social sciences and cultural studies, mathematics and business administration. With its approximately 5,000 students, 120 professors, more than 350 research associates and numerous lecturers from practical fields, it offers an excellent staff-to-student ratio. The historic roots of the KU date back to the Collegium Willibaldinum, founded in 1567. In 1980, the previous Kirchliche Gesamthochschule was elevated to the status of a university.
